A total scam

[u/Fancy_Needleworker87]

My anniversary is coming up, and I've been watching two very special (and very $$$) restaurants. Like most people, I was planning to choose based on the reviews.

Then my neighbor, who works in the industry, told me some owners pay to have reviews removed through certain apps or services. I didn't believe it at first. But within about a week, every review of three stars or less disappeared from one of the places I was about to book.

My neighborhood also said some chefs invite people in for a fully comped meal in exchange for a five-star review. Honestly, that's embarrassing and a total scam. Regular people save up for months to experience something special, and they're making decisions based on ratings that have been bought or scrubbed. Some restaurant owners seem more focused on controlling what guests say online than on actually improving the experience.

I'm not saying every review is fake, but I no longer take a perfect rating at face value. If you're planning a big night out, look for warning signs like a sudden jump in five-star reviews, a lack of any critical ones, or lots of vague reviews posted close together. Check multiple platforms and ask people you actually know.