For customers
A review is an opinion shared
Something that came up recently got the ol' brain box ticking over and took me to what some may call the bleeding obvious - a question that I imagined should have a universal and obvious answer - what is a review? It may sound simple, as we may think we know what a...
How to find tradies/businesses on NoCowboys
NoCowboys isn't a directory in the traditional sense, it is a platform where Kiwis can contact businesses after reading reviews. Our verified reviews are a point of difference to other sites, such as job boards, and they are the best metric to guiding your choices -...
98% read online reviews for local businesses
For over a decade BrightLocal had conducted and published the results of its annual "Local Consumer review Survey". Last year's survey results were released a few weeks ago, but hey, we are in a global pandemic, so who is going to call them out for tardiness? As is...
Missed opportunity to help Kiwis benefit from authentic reviews
A few weeks ago (September 13), Fair Go presented a segment on fake reviews - interviewing two women that had a dissatisfying experience with a local moving company and a founder of a site than analyses fake reviews, based in New York. Fair Go has been a Kiwi staple...
All for one and one for all
When I was a kid I loved the Three Musketeers - the sword fighting, the adventure, the wit, the overcoming of evil and adversity. More than that though, I was utterly sold on their rallying cry of 'all for one and one for all'. It made beautiful sense and it was so...
Fake reviews are only an issue for the unwary
We are strange creatures and no matter what the enterprise, the unscrupulous amongst us do anything they can to secure an advantage. It's been this way for millennia and it's just the way it is. Even still, that doesn't mean that the rest of us have to fall into the...
Reviews and ratings trump price in consumer survey
Survey results published in the US last month cement the absolute dominance of online reviews and star ratings driving consumer behaviour. 6500 consumers were surveyed by PowerReviews and for the first time the findings indicated a substantial shift in the...
Our health professionals deserve far better
There are some decisions that really should be worked out with a hell of a lot more thought and consideration. Freezing public sector salaries after the budget last month is one of them. Now we face the prospect of nurses striking for better pay and conditions and...
Most trusted Kiwi brand revealed
The word iconic is terribly overused and often misapplied but for some reason it fits exactly when I think of the winner of this year's Reader’s Digest’s annual Trusted Brands survey. Ask any kid and they will tell you that one of their favourite things is chocolate,...
The perils of positivity – read the reviews!
We have known this for years and the research affirms it year in and year out - consumers aren't just taken in by 4 and 5 star ratings - they want to read the actual reviews themselves. An article I read this week brought that into greater focus and I...
Better be home soon
Last Sunday I got to be part of a huge, raucous, and appreciative crowd at Auckland's Spark Arena to see and hear Crowded House. This isn't a review of their music, their talent, their endurance, their achievements, or their artistry. It's a short and heartfelt...
A year since the first nationwide lockdown . . .
This week marks the one year anniversary of New Zealand's nationwide Level 4 lockdown and it is incredible how quickly the past 12 months have passed and how much we have changed. I can remember vividly the thoughts of impending doom as the whole country, apart...
How to leave a great review
When you're leaving feedback for a business there a few things to keep in mind to ensure those who read it get the real benefit of your opinion. After all, that's what feedback is, your experience of the service you paid for or a product that you bought and...
All Blacks deliver, Parrot On The Run, and Living Legend
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. All Blacks grind out win against plucky English The All Blacks kicked off the international season and the tenure of...
Big Cheeses, Super Gardener, and Changing Times
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Kiwi icons discontinued I noted the passing of two Kiwi food and beverage items with a note of nostalgia this week....
Runaway Donkey, Sense Prevails, and Mistaken Identity
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Blame it on the cow This is a rather heartwarming tale about an elderly gentleman in Shropshire, UK who lost his...
Special Tree, and Truly Amazing Canine
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. World's tallest dog goes weak at the knees when the vacuum cleaner comes out As the cliche goes, the bigger they...
Miraculous Necklace, Historic Milk Powder, and Balloon Fight
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Historic milk powder not dissimilar to today's This is a rather nice tale with a bit of history involved, as well as...
Treasure Find, Bee Rescue, and Cheesey Adventures
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Cheese and daredevilry - a winning combination It's hard to beat a centuries old tradition that combines a steep...
Chicken Run, Record Haka, and Poignant Discovery
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Chicken gang torments village In a happier sidestep from the usual stories about gang violence in our country, I...
Beevers Return, Football Beerfest, and Heroic Tale
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Hero does the right thing, despite fears of getting in trouble As we know, citizens do not have the power to detain...
Germans Protecting Kebab Price, Phoenix One Game From Glory
Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer. Germans want subsidy to keep kebabs affordable The cost of living crisis in Germany has motivated some to demand that...
In reviews – 5th May ’24
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Man loses best friend and hopes for speedy return A man in the United States formed an unusual connection with an...
In reviews – 28th April ’24
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Late night ice cream revelries cancelled Some cities and towns face noise issues from boy racers, drunks, and...
In reviews – 21st April ’24
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Not a level playing field - Overseas Monopolies in NZ One entity is a state owned broadcaster forced to cancel or...
In reviews – 14th April – ’24
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Animals really are incredible Last night as as I was driving home I approached a zebra crossing and had to take a...
In reviews – 7th April ’24
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Christchurch Cathedral rebuild slowed down by huge budget blowout I was raised in Christchurch, so like many others...
In reviews – 31st March ’24
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Easter trading rules are a bit of a mess For years, the rules over Easter trading have been a bit of a hodge podge...
In reviews – 24th March ’24
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Frozen pie sold for ten times its price I grew up in the South Island and we were introduced to fast food chains a...
In reviews 17th March ’24
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Anonymous benefactor brightens strangers' lives A lovely heartwarming tale of faceless generosity opens this weeks...
In reviews – 10th March ’24
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. We all lose when tech giants get a free hand In the past few weeks our two major broadcasters have announced cuts...
In reviews – March 3rd ’24
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Dad found in the bush after son's gut feeling and help from a goat This one is a real beaut. 72 year old Brent...
In reviews – 25th February ’24
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. The buck sotps here Making mistakes on the job isn't always the end of the world and this one at least raised a few...
In reviews – 18th February ’24
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Sterling effort from firefighters battling Port Hills blazes Only seven years ago the Port Hills in Christchurch...
In reviews – 11th February ’24
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Feat given record status, finally You spend seven years knocking together a faithful reproduction of Paris' Eiffel...
In reviews – 4th February ’24
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Heartwarming tale of generous stranger You're working in your garden, minding your own business and some randomer...
In reviews – 28th January ’24
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. We need to question the traffic management rort. An recent article in the New Zealand Herald made me realise that...
In reviews – 21st January ’24
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. 'Theft' grey area makes for a ripping yarn Laying waste to the well established schoolyard maxim of 'finders...
In reviews – 13th January ’24
Looking back over the past week and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Huge spider a big boon for science I know loads of people are terrified of our arachnid pals and even the thought of...
In reviews – 5th January ’24
Looking back over the past week and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Incredible aversion of what could have been a total disaster We've been hearing for years that flying has become...
In reviews – 30th December ’23
Looking back over the past week and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. New Year's Eve - the big carnival As I write this I can hear the din from a few neighbourhood day before New Year's...
In reviews – 21st December ’23
Looking back over the past week and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Some things are so mad that they may just be great Nothing beats a quirky food or beverage 'invention' and this one...
In reviews – 13th December ’23
Looking back over the past week and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. With Christmas a week and a half away - this week's reviews are all related to our favourite holiday. Christmas...
In reviews – 7th December ’23
Looking back over the past week and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Maybe get a garden gnome? Some people love quirky ornaments or sculptures to enliven their garden spaces but a couple...
In reviews – 1st December ’23
Looking back over the past week and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Not all heroes wear capes Each week I send hours looking for appropriate stories to review and I have to admit, it...
In reviews – 22nd November ’23
Looking back over the past week and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Rules are rules, but sometimes clemency is the right move If you've ever watched the Kiwi version of Border Patrol,...
In reviews – 14th October ’23
Looking back over the past week and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Coalition talks drag on and on and on It's a month ago that we went to the polls and cast our votes in the general...
In reviews – 7th October ’23
Looking back over the past week and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Band that no longer exists releases new single Music and pop culture icons from the 1960s utilise cutting edge...