Is It OK to Write a Yelp Review For a Restaurant Discount?

September 2, 2009

Mel's Drive-In, a restaurant chain in California, made news this week when a PR firm uncovered the diner's "virtual bribe" — or a deal for Yelpers. Here's how it works: you write a Yelp review (it can be good or bad) of the eatery, bring in a copy, and receive a 20 percent discount on your bill. I've never been into Yelp, the website that lets everyone be a restaurant critic, so I won't be participating in Mel's discount any time soon. However, if it was a restaurant I frequented or was interested in checking out, I might be persuaded to give it some online publicity. How about you?

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14 Comments

notoriousmar 3 years 37 weeks

Although Mel's isn't really a big deal I would still do it for the discount!

meereesa 3 years 37 weeks

I don't see why there's a problem with it. The restaurant wants to get their name out there- and they give 20% whether or not the review was good or bad (although not sure why bad reviewers would ever go back...). It's not like they're getting incentives for a positive review! Maybe I'm biased since I love Yelp!

Spectra 3 years 37 weeks

I'd do it...If I've never heard of some restaurant, I'd try it if they offered me a discount for writing a review.

kia 3 years 37 weeks

It's o.k. but I like full disclosure. Like mentioning that the review was partially sponsored by the restaurant.

TidalWave 3 years 37 weeks

this is just as bad as bloggers who accept offers from companies to blog about a free product they've received. dirty.

irisheyes1212 3 years 37 weeks

I cut myself off lol. I would say if an experience somewhere was poor enough that one feels they need to express it on YELP, then there should still be a fair amount of opinions from both sides, discount or no discount.

irisheyes1212 3 years 37 weeks

syako 3 years 37 weeks

Party, why aren't you a yelp fan?

irisheyes1212 3 years 37 weeks

I am having trouble seeing anything especially wrong with this. Sure people who like the place will be more apt to post a favorful review, but it takes a special kind of drive to even take the time to post any kind of review. I would say if an experience somewhere was poor enough that one feels they need to express it on YELP.

dootsie 3 years 37 weeks

Offering coupons lures in a bevvy of people who LIKE the restaurant--after all, if you hate a place, why review to get a coupon you'll never use? It tips the scales in favor of a place. I think the reviews should have to be tagged that the customer receieved an incentive for their review.

shmoo15 3 years 37 weeks

Yeah. Certain Yelp sponsored businesses advertise specials to yelpers all the time.However, if you're not yelp sponsored, Yelp usually busts that business on the dirty marketing.

shmoo15 3 years 37 weeks

Yeah. Certain Yelp sponsored businesses advertise specials to yelpers all the time. However, if you're not yelp sponsored, Yelp usually busts that business on the dirty marketing.

mamasitamalita 3 years 37 weeks

Yelp has deals like that all the time.

Modus Vivendi 3 years 37 weeks

Wouldn't that violate yelp's terms of service?

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