Just Wondering...Is This Considered Cheating As Well?
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
May 8, 2009 11:54pm CST
Okay I've been looking at the guidelines....AGAIN to check something out and this doesn't seem to be a violation, but it does smack of cheating and favoritism.
A friend of mine just told me how one member here approached her and said to her, in effect "If you give me BRs for all my responses to your discussions, I'll rate all your replies to me with a BR." 
Oh, as a by the way, my friend refuses to go for this crap.
Anyway, is this cheating, playing favoritisms, bribery, what???
This reminds me so much of the kind of crap that is going on at Ciao.. known as the clicking cartel, where unscrupulous members "friend" collect, then message each other saying to the effect, "if you rate my reviews with very helpful or exceptional I'll do the same for you." One can always tell clicking cartel members since the reviews that have exceptional ratings from other members are sheer crap. Maybe one or two sentences while honest members like us, write paragraph upon paragraph--since I tend to be long winded you can guess my reviews are lengthy...LOL I fortunately haven't had clicking cartel members after me, but I'll get other messages that are spam.
So first of all, like I said, I haven't seen anything in the guidelines as to whether a practice of "I'll rate you br if you rate me br" is a violation, but it just seems ethically wrong to me...does it to you? Should such members be reported? So far no one has approached me with this proposition....uh, maybe they know NOT to..LOL. Wouldn't this kind of practice cheapen the meaning of what a Best Response means?? What are your thoughts about this?? The inquiring mind wants to know.
Oh, as a by the way, my friend refuses to go for this crap.
Anyway, is this cheating, playing favoritisms, bribery, what???
This reminds me so much of the kind of crap that is going on at Ciao.. known as the clicking cartel, where unscrupulous members "friend" collect, then message each other saying to the effect, "if you rate my reviews with very helpful or exceptional I'll do the same for you." One can always tell clicking cartel members since the reviews that have exceptional ratings from other members are sheer crap. Maybe one or two sentences while honest members like us, write paragraph upon paragraph--since I tend to be long winded you can guess my reviews are lengthy...LOL I fortunately haven't had clicking cartel members after me, but I'll get other messages that are spam.
So first of all, like I said, I haven't seen anything in the guidelines as to whether a practice of "I'll rate you br if you rate me br" is a violation, but it just seems ethically wrong to me...does it to you? Should such members be reported? So far no one has approached me with this proposition....uh, maybe they know NOT to..LOL. Wouldn't this kind of practice cheapen the meaning of what a Best Response means?? What are your thoughts about this?? The inquiring mind wants to know.20 people like this
56 responses
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
9 May 09
I didn't see it in the rules either. It's kind of like our government. The new laws get made as people get more creative in trying to beat the system. I have a friend who was going to fill his VW with water and put on his scuba gear and add some fish and drive around till he got pulled over. His hope was that they would have to pass a law making it illegal to drive with your car filled with water and fish. He could then tell his future children that he was the cause of that law. 
Anyway, it sounds like cheating to me. Do we even get paid for getting BR?
Anyway, it sounds like cheating to me. Do we even get paid for getting BR?@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
9 May 09
LOL--That would be a unique law...heehee. I don't know about earning more for brs though, never noticed.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
9 May 09
I can picture a VW filled with water, fish and a person sitting in it with scuba gear...
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
9 May 09
ya...he's a pretty unique friend. Very entertaining. we used to work together and he made work fun for sure.
I'm glad your friend is not going along with this. Some things you just really should not need a written law in order to know that it is just wrong.
I'm glad your friend is not going along with this. Some things you just really should not need a written law in order to know that it is just wrong.1 person likes this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
9 May 09
Hey pye! I really don't quite get what the point of this would
be. It's not like mylot pays a fortune for BR's! So what is
this person trying to prove? I get lots of BR's, but at least
I know that it is because I got them on my own! And for me
it is more of an honor then anything else! I feel proud each
and every time that I get one because it means that someone
thought what I wrote was good! I don't see my earnings increase
particularly so it surely can't be that? So what are they
trying to accomplish? I am not a member of Ciao, but I know
that on there it does have to do with money.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 May 09
I have no idea what these people are trying to prove, except showing their stupidity if they think they get more money by having BRs
1 person likes this
@hmike_d (1529)
• Philippines
9 May 09
It's never been so delightful to know that a discussion is tagged as BR. Meaning, you were able to cascade persuasively what you mean to the reader and of course the reader has permeated and absorbed agreeably what is said. Great! right?
Going into such a kind of a "deal", well, it's quite good to have a good deal anyway. But i want you to remember that BR is only for discussions apparently deserving for it. On the other hand, how can you come up of tagging BR if in the first place you know, that you know, that that stuff isn't enough to be tagged as BR?
Bottomline is, the deal your friend is offering isn't actually a cheating but tagging BR for USELESS & INEFFECTIVE DISCUSSIONS is. One last question, would you like to be stupid? I'm sorry but I only got this for discussion purposes only.
We deserve, of course, the money we're getting from this ambivalent site but it's even exciting and better if we had it without gray areas.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
9 May 09
First of all, my friend who alerted me to this isn't going to fall for the scheme and I would never either. If you note I'm a long time member here of three years. My friend was pointing it out to me of someone who approached her for this "deal"..and I've never heard of anyone request such a thing before, which is why I started this discussion
1 person likes this
@AnnieOakley1 (5596)
• Canada
9 May 09
I believe it would be a violation.
It goes against what BR means.
It is not honest and therefore not right.
Yes, I think it is cheating.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 May 09
It really does demean what a BR stand for and certainly isn't an honest policy that people like this do
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 May 09
Over at Ciao people requesting one as a friend have the gall to tell a person to add them in one's Circle Of Trust....that has to be earned too!
@AnnieOakley1 (5596)
• Canada
10 May 09
The BR is NOT FOR SALE OR TRADE! Period.
That should be in the guidelines. Definitely a suggestion for mylot.
1 person likes this
@walijo2008 (4644)
• United States
9 May 09
No one has approached me with this proposition either, I wouldn't agree to do it tho if someone did. I'm not sure what the benefits are in getting a Best Response or giving one, I've gotten quite a few in the past, I'm not bragging or anything but I've never noticed an increase in my earnings for it, I often wished that we would get something for getting a best response but so far, I see none.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 May 09
I've never noticed an increase in earnings either when getting a best response, but maybe the people doing this kind of exchange thing think they do
@walijo2008 (4644)
• United States
10 May 09
pyewacket...I've noticed that too, I've never gotten an increase whenever I get a BR, sometimes I wished we did. I guess they think you do..lol
1 person likes this
@alicia812 (646)
• Australia
9 May 09
There's no mention in the guidelines about such act, but yes, I think that takes away what really BR means. I don't even understand why that member is asking for BR...pathetic. We're not even paid for BR.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
9 May 09
Maybe the persons involved do think they get extra money for getting BRs
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
9 May 09
This is the first I ever heard of such a thing here. I managed to track down whom my friend was referring to though...I'm good at hunting things down..LOL
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47312)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
9 May 09
Maybe that's how some discussions decide a BR after just one response...
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 May 09
LOL--a few times I've been given br just because I was the only responder...heehee
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
10 May 09
what got me is the ones that message DEMANDING you rate them-even when they know full well that's against the rules.i get 4 demands the same day,you're gone.
that's just being an annoying pain in the *ss.
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
10 May 09
I also get annoyed when a person requests best response at the end of their post. That automatically takes him out of the running.
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
10 May 09
oh man..that is bold!
yea,i think that'd be my response too.
yea,i think that'd be my response too. @zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
9 May 09
Hi pye. Even though this is not stated on the FAQs, I still think it is wrong in etiquette. That thing you told about Ciao really bugs me too. I used to be active there, trying things out and the whole inbox is filled with those 'pls rate me' kind of messages and I just got fed up and quit altogether. But the site's awesome though. Coming back to BR topic here in mylot, I feel that's kind of wrong. Very wrong, in fact. The nature of Best Response is awarded to the literal sense of the word and shouldn't be compromise in any way.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 May 09
Yes my inbox at Ciao was always loaded down with the please rate me thing and got on my nerves. And yes, to award a BR here means exactly that..the best response and not to be given "lightly"
1 person likes this
@sanuanu (11235)
• India
9 May 09
Mylot is a place to have fun and no one know how exactly do we get paid. Not even admin knows it because it is done by a complex algorithm!
But as far as I know, BR has nothing to do with money we earn. yes, the person who is resolving his discussion will get some prize but the person who is getting it, gains nothing and I mean nothing at all. Not even increase in his/her star rating.
So, if two craps make an arrangement with each other that they will exchange BRs, let them do because this isn't going to harm mylot!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
9 May 09
True, maybe something like this doesn't harm MyLot, but it kind of demeans the meaning of BR, don't you think?
1 person likes this
@mayze22 (34)
• Philippines
9 May 09
Well, actually I cannot relate to what you are telling because I only have one friend here. :) But i think it's all about tactics and strategy like in the real world. If they have not violated any guidelines, then it's okay. The one who created the discussion has the privilege of giving the "award" of BR to whom he/she thinks is worthy of it. It is his/her prerogative. Besides, it is his/her discussion. If he/she thinks his/her question was answered best by the said response then he/she be the judge of it. This favoritism may be unfair but we cannot do anything about it because the creator of the discussion is the judge of the BR.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 May 09
But what if the BR that's given really ISN'T the best response but only given due to an exchange deal between friends...it cheapens the meaning of best response.
1 person likes this
@ptclickmail (123)
• Philippines
10 May 09
yup, its ruining the idea of rating a discussion
1 person likes this
@mrshernandez623 (146)
• United States
9 May 09
OK....im a newbie....can you please explain to me what BR is?
But whatever it is i think its a form of bribery and favoritism.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 May 09
Welcome to MyLot newbie...LOL
A BR stands for Best Response. When a person starts a discussion, one cam rate the responders, positive, negative or there is the "!" which allows one to report a response as being abusive. After some time has passed and enough responders have replied to the discussion, one can give a Best Response rating for the person who, as the name implies gave the best response to the discussion.
@mrshernandez623 (146)
• United States
14 May 09
Thanks! I appreciate your help!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 May 09
Yes my friend is a very honest person and I'm glad she brought it to my attention--I didn't know this kind of thing was going on.
@tracydee (172)
• Philippines
10 May 09
I think it is because of our problem of a growing financial crisis that's why there are people who would engage themselves in immoral acts just to earn money. But still they were also given the choice to be honest. Money can never buy life's freedom. A life free from dishonesty and immorality.
1 person likes this
@Aurone (4755)
• United States
9 May 09
Unfortunately, it happens at all the rating sites like that, Ciao, Epinions, here. Makes it hard on the honest people. It should be a violation but it probably isn't and there isn't any way they could police it. I hate that it happens but it just seems to be something that happens at writing sites that have ratings as well.
1 person likes this
@sparkofinsanity (20471)
• Regina, Saskatchewan
9 May 09
As we don't get any extra money for BR's, and unless they are directly linked to our stars, I can't say it's cheating, but it's certainly unethical. To be making these kind of 'deals' does indeed negatively impact the meaning and purpose of Best Response, and tells me that the person making such a 'deal' is a person of low class, no character and not someone I'd want on my friend's list.
That said, I've had may friends promise to rate me positive when I've whined about my dropping star. But then, these friends know that I rate them positive too all the time, so it's a quid quo pro situation and not an overt 'grab' for the brass ring..........
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
9 May 09
I always rate people positive too (including you). The only time I don't is when I get that rare idiot who wants to cause trouble and is flaming to me...if the person keeps it up and is negative I report the person.
Half the time I don't even bother giving out BRs though...yikes I have pages and pages of unresolved discussions it would take me forever to go through them all
1 person likes this
@jerzgirl (9291)
• United States
9 May 09
If it isn't a violation, it should be. It is dishonest and unethical. On Ciao, those specific requests constituted a "ratings cartel" - or whatever the term was they used. It was a way for specific people to benefit in exchange for like treatment, regardless of quality. Not fair, not right, and MONDO dishonest.
Is it me or does it feel like those characters of Ciao have now migrated here? This behavior seems to be increasing.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
9 May 09
It does seem that the ousted members of Ciao are coming here now. They're seem to be using the same infantile way of doing things, such as plagiarizing and now this rating business.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
9 May 09
PS I just emailed you. Think one of the people I found as the BR rater was a cheater over at Ciao and was banned there
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
9 May 09
You know, this does seem wrong to me. I don't know why someone would need to do this either, if you have ASK for people to rate you and read your stuff etc, it probably has no merit of its own, which is the reason people should get good ratings in the first place.
I can tell you that I don't give BRs very often and when I do, it's because I like the post, it has nothing to do with the person, unless the only person who answers is someone I especially like. THEN it could be said that I'm showing favoritism I suppose.
I'm not sure if reporting them will do much good. I don't like the practice but I also don't engage in the whole 'you rated me down so I'll rate you down' stuff either. I don't know why people do that, I might not like someone's opinion but that's the only beef I have, I don't want to 'ruin' their reputation just because I don't like what they say. People probably don't like some of the stuff I say. I still have a right to say it and I shouldn't get attacked because of it lol.
When people are using anything but personal merit to rate/rank anything, the entire ideal is cheapened. Just my two cents.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 May 09
I'm usually not in the habit of giving out BRs much either, so don't ask how many "unresolved" discussions I have. You're at Ciao as well right if I remember. There's a lot of revenge ratings there. Say I come across someone's review that frankly is only a few sentences long and doesn't tell much of the product..so I might rate it helpful since that's all it deserves...bingo the person comes to my reviews which are considerably longer and more detailed and the person rates me as only helpful in revenge...so wrong
@celticeagle (166915)
• Boise, Idaho
9 May 09
I thought there were people of better caliber on here. That is just idiosy. Isn't that just a gibben that if it is a BR then you mark it as such? What happened to integrity. Maybe if you look under something pertaining to trying to rate BR's. I think that things usually come to the surface and are found out. I wouldn't let it bug ya too much. Some people are just going to do what they do regardless of rules and what the best thing to do is.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
9 May 09
LOL--no it doesn't exactly "bug" me...I was just really surprised when my friend mentioned this BR business as it's the first I've heard of anyone making "deals" about a BR rating
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (166915)
• Boise, Idaho
10 May 09
I think I have heard of it one other time.
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
9 May 09
Hi Pye, You are right there is nothing in the guidelines and I would imagine not a great deal can be done about it either; it just proves the people involved to have low character and it is disappointing that some can use MyLot in such a way.
I am so tired of trolls, plagiarizers and members with no integrity and I wish they would all disappear and leave the rest of us to enjoy this great site!
Thanks for bringing this to everyone's attention and I hope no one falls for this c**p!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
9 May 09
Goodness...I almost didn't recognize you with your new avatar....LOL
I wonder what these people think they are getting out of it though? It's not like one earns extra money upon receiving a BR
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
10 May 09
I don't know, positive ratings seem to mean a lot to them too...
1 person likes this
