To respond or not to respond, that's the big question

Do we respond to a hate filled review or let it lie there uncontested? TA has responded back to a complaint about the review that there is nothing in it they deem worthy of contacting the reviewer about. Personally, I think it contains items that go against their terms of service but they do not believe that to be true.
What would you do?
BTW, if you read the review, I would appreciate your not quoting it as I'm not exactly sure who wrote it. I have an excellent idea, but no proof.

Mentioning other places is not against the rules for TA? Using your name and "so and so remarks" is not against the rules?
So sorry Mort. Don't let this ruin your week. You know they are terds.

JBloggs said:

Mentioning other places is not against the rules for TA? Using your name and "so and so remarks" is not against the rules?
So sorry Mort. Don't let this ruin your week. You know they are terds..

Click to expand...

Correct. You can recommend other businesses in your reviews. I'm just happy they picked on me rather than Gomez. I'll sleep tonight. He wouldn't.

All I can say is what a dumb ass!!!!

I'm not familiar with your property, so I can't look up the review. But I say ALWAYS RESPOND. Sorry this happened.

His username says it all. I checked his other reviews and you either get a one, three or five star. One got a four. None of the ones he said were so great in your review are in his review history… huh? And if it was so bad and want to warn others why wait two months to do it? I flagged it and sent a compliant to TA.

Duff2014 said:

His username says it all. I checked his other reviews and you either get a one, three or five star. One got a four. None of the ones he said were so great in your review are in his review history… huh? And if it was so bad and want to warn others why wait two months to do it? I flagged it and sent a compliant to TA..

Click to expand...

Thank you.
The more complaints the better!

Yes, respond. The condescending attitude of this reviewer shows their true color to others reading it. I'm so sorry this jerk showed their true colors.

Answer. Point out that this review isn't real, because they are suggesting two other B&Bs that they haven't reviewed...

JBloggs said:

Mentioning other places is not against the rules for TA? Using your name and "so and so remarks" is not against the rules?
So sorry Mort. Don't let this ruin your week. You know they are terds..

Click to expand...

Actually, if I remember correctly, most of that is against their ToS. But you really have to back TA against a well to get them to uphold their own ToS. Remember, I have that one fake review that they took a month and pressure from the PAII to remove, only to tell them how to repost the fake review minus the violations of the ToS.
Pull out the ToS and if you have to, keep on running it up the flag pole pointing out the violations of their own ToS. But mention SPECIFICALLY which rule is being violated.

Morticia said:

JBloggs said:

Mentioning other places is not against the rules for TA? Using your name and "so and so remarks" is not against the rules?
So sorry Mort. Don't let this ruin your week. You know they are terds..

Click to expand...

Correct. You can recommend other businesses in your reviews. I'm just happy they picked on me rather than Gomez. I'll sleep tonight. He wouldn't.
.

Click to expand...

We've reported hope it helps - do you think it was a customer or a rival? smells like rival to me - Also don't like the don't be replying with any of your snarky comments, don't see anything like that in any of your review replies what a nasty man.

What a horrible thing to write. I would definitely reply and include a complete character assassination.

I also reported it! IDIOT to post that!!! Hopefully it will be removed but do respond. I think all your good reviews will push him off the page soon!

I tend to respond to negative reviews even when I probably should just keep my mouth shut although I do write them down, sleep on them and make a few edits before posting. Fortunately when an unhappy camper writes a terrible review and all the other reviews are great it is pretty obvious to folks that the problem is with the individual writing the review.
I'd probably just say "Thank you for your review, I'm sorry we failed to meet your expectations" and let it go, anyone reading several reviews will quickly see that he/she is the one out of step with the crowd.

Morticia said:

Duff2014 said:

His username says it all. I checked his other reviews and you either get a one, three or five star. One got a four. None of the ones he said were so great in your review are in his review history… huh? And if it was so bad and want to warn others why wait two months to do it? I flagged it and sent a compliant to TA..

Click to expand...

Thank you.
The more complaints the better!
.

Click to expand...

Ditto. I flagged it. Inflammatory and insulting!

Be sure to respond. You go girl!
Ruddy nerve to tell you not to. Neg reviews always comment on idiotic stuff, there is never one big issue, they put out a laundry list. They are just showing their true colours when they do that. Finding fault with the birds singing outside the windows.
I clicked report review to take it down.

Can someone please message me with a link? I want to report it also - it sounds as though it needs to be!

OMG! Wow! The audacity! I've read a ton of negative reviews over the years, but this one wins first prize for spiteful lies. I certainly would respond, especially since he has taunted you not to do so. I too reported it. TA should be ashamed of themselves if they let it sit. It's slanderous. Truly. You might take it to the other group where you can post it and get actual feedback re a response. It is so extreme and unwarranted, that others in this profession should be outraged that TA allows content like this to be posted. Start a massive protest and have them report it too. I am so sorry Mort.

BananaE29 said:

Can someone please message me with a link? I want to report it also - it sounds as though it needs to be!.

Click to expand...

BananaE29 said:

Can someone please message me with a link? I want to report it also - it sounds as though it needs to be!

Click to expand...

Info sent from me.

Thanks peeps. I called my rep twice, emailed once, flagged it online and sent a report. All I've gotten back so far is this:
We have completed our investigation into your concern and have also evaluated all other aspects of the review in question. The review complies with our submission guidelines and will remain published on TripAdvisor.
So, there you go. It completely meets their guidelines.