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Hope I didn't stir up a hornet's nest posting/sharing this TA review....just figured it warranted some discussion......interesting...is it just me, or when you go back to page 1 of this thread and click the link(or browse through several pages of Coco reviews)..the review is GONE?....hell I don't see it anymore....I thought that TA didn't remove reviews, or at least didn't post them if they didn't like em:confused:
Dang.. it is gone! Interesting!!!
Yup...review has been pulled off TA! Hmmm...interesting!!!
TA isn't the bastion of freedom of speech people think it is, I've had multiple reviews removed that were both fair and extremely detailed, and they're known for allowing hotels to game the system.Quote:
Originally Posted by lisapat
Heck in the UK they've banned Trip Adviser from stating their reviews are real:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/tr...-are-real.html
My guess is TA removed the review because it didn't "review" the hotel and thus wasn't valid.
I'm just curious but do the police or Jamaican authorities crack down on "cab drivers" that don't have red plates?
Yes, they do crackdown on illegal "cab drivers"...but unfortunately like anywhere, there are always those that try to sneak around the system. They also check red & white plate drivers quite regularly to make sure they are legal to be driving on the roads....these are called spot checks.Quote:
Originally Posted by Blake
Wow Blake, I don.'t doubt that they have removed many of your reviews. As in the Telegraph byline you omit the word " all" They are banned from saying that ALL their reviews are real.All their reviews cannot be verified they are an open forum for travellers critique and can be manipulated by unscrupulous subscribers. Tripadvisor is still a good way to research a destination and you can usually pick out the frauds. By saying that T.A allows hotels to game the system suggests that they condone it. They do not. The open reviewing system that allows honest comment unfortunately leaves the door open for self serving reviews.
I complained to Trip Adviser yesterday about this report and that it didn't belong in a review of a property that had nothing to do with it. Apparently, they agreed and pulled the comments.
Always wondered who complained to TA, Weathemon...:)!
The concerns that I have...
...that this excellent reminder to everyone to use common sense & caution even when on vacation...has sadly turned into an internet fiasco with reviews & threads being shut down on TA.
...the validity of it being a red plate or not...the original poster has never stated it was a red plate, it only comes as second hand information & still appears questionable....
...also, that someone is now saying on TA there was an attack in March with a red plated driver...which is completely untrue if they're referring to the widely discussed incident that happened earlier this year. Unless there's one I don't know about...but I live here & there's not much you don't find out in this very small town.
Unless your extremely knowledgeable of the transportation system here (ie. live here) and have no desire to throw caution to the wind....it is always best to have your own/recommended driver(s) that you can call anytime or have the establishment you're visiting call a driver for you....then they'll at least know who you're riding with.
The pennies you're going to save by hopping into route cabs or strange vehicles...is simply not worth the risk.
I guess I threw caution to the wind a BIT too much last trip!
I averaged 4-6 taxis most days for the month I was in Negril , that is between 120 and 180 random rides, later in the month for late night excursions I used the same driver due to cost and reliability and saving me walking to hail a taxi in massively high heels.
In ALL of the rides I never encountered a problem and only once out of ALL them rides did a driver ask did I need a ride and I just did not like the look of him and his tone of voice.
Coulda been something or nothing.I did need a ride but I said no thanks just popping to the shops and declined.
I was solo on many of these rides, some taxis I shared with Jamaicans some alone.I would never got in a car with 2 men in though and I would have got out if they picked an extra man up.
I guess I was lucky?
The reports are scary and I do not think it is fair when people immediately blame the victim or assume it is all lies and blame them for not researching things properly.
If it was a red plate then what was there to research?
It could happen in any place to anyone and then I bet the ones pointing the finger if it ever happened to them or their loved ones would not be so quick to judge and assume.
Granted some stories get twisted or there is more to the story than an angry or resentful poster may post for some other reason.But for the ones that are genuine and true.HUSH.
Stuff happens in the world more so where there is a lack of money and jobs and where there are hardships.I am sorry for the ladies it happened to and I hope it has not scared and scarred them for life and I hope we all stay safe in the future,BUT if anything should happen to one of us or anyone else for that matter please do not blame the victim, and all of the sites witholding this extremely important piece of information and other reports like it are so wrong.You all talk about research and being informed.If posts get removed like in TA (weathermon u tell tale haha) but correct as it was not related to co co then how do we inform ourselves if the truth is continually hidden?I will not be stopped from going to Jamaica from those posts but at least I have been warned about the possibilities instead of wandering around with my head in the clouds (which is fun and I may still do) We need to be informed to make informed decisions the good the bad and the sometimes ugly!
Thankyou and goodnight I have said my piece
I don't think you were lucky...you were diligent! You were making smart choices...and in the case above definitely not throwing caution to the wind.Quote:
Originally Posted by TiCtOc
We never know when our time is up , one can be the most careful best researcher in the world , check the documents , text the reg plate, pay for all seats, check only one male in the car but then what if you are faced with a tool of sorts? a knife? a gun? Lots of cases around the world involving things like this are just a case of bad timing.Wrong place wrong time not much could have stopped it.Just be careful as you can be out there that is all we can all do anywhere.
[QUOTE=Bnewb;63998] Always wondered who complained to TA, Weathemon...:)!
Now you know.
Anyway, if one just uses common sense, or, lacking that trait, tags along with someone who does, overall one would be a lot safer in Negril or anywhere else, for that matter.
[QUOTE=Weathermon & Mi Lady;64017]You do realize that this was not some newb to Jamaica, they had traveled to the island numerous times. I don't think common sense was the issue here. Something terrible happened to these women and "some" are choosing to sweep it under the rug and go about pretending that nothing bad ever happens and/or blaming the victim for the wrongdoers actions.. That just seems wrong to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bnewb
Amen, Jamerican AND TicToc! Thank you for stating so clearly what I so miserably failed to do. I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree! My thoughts and prayers are with these ladies.
and so as not to be sexist to even put another slant on it, all this talk about how many men in a taxi and how they look or sound, clearly no-one has even thought about coming across a badgyal? some badgyal are fierce.
Do not let your guard down just because you see a female and THINK you are safe, this goes for ANYWHERE.
You do not know a strangers life.
[QUOTE=Jamerican1;64023]Where is this being swept under the rug? Certainly not here....Quote:
Originally Posted by Weathermon & Mi Lady
Now I have to throw my 2 cents in......
I don't think anyone is trying to hide information. I agree that this bad experience was not associated in any way with the hotel that the review was about. This incident could have happened to anyone staying at any hotel that decides to leave the hotel property. TA has forums and there are other siteswhere this information could be posted just as it is here that would allow others to seek clarification so everyone is as informed as possible. I don't believe this incident should reflect on the hotel and apparently neither did the reviewer since the hotel was given 4 stars.
TA could have placed the review under another section maybe?
I am VERY pleased this thread has stayed, living so far away I rely on websites such as this to get the real deal. the truth to make decisions not only for myself but for my family.
Life is not perfect and the fact this thread has stayed has spoken volumes to me that if there is something we should know, we will.That is good enough for me.This had definately NOT been swept under the carpet here and I am pleased to see reports of incidents will be noted and we can talk about it.Hurts me to think a boardie went and got in trouble.
BOARDIE DOWN! BUT when we care to share we can inform others.There is not a whole heap any of us can do really to stop incidents happening anywhere , what will happen will happen.Hopefully the victime got the reg plate or recognise the driver or something.I always forget everyones name but I never forget a face, I have a photographic memory too so one glance at the reg plate on the way in.I will remember. I wish people would follow up the reports of incidents it is very rare that they do so we never find out if police were called, who was at fault, what really happened, if charges were brought and such.Lawd help any taxi driver who try to rough me up! especially when I know I have nothing of value on me
[QUOTE=Jamerican1;64023]Just saying that the post on TA did not belong where it was.Quote:
Originally Posted by Weathermon & Mi Lady
agreed, Weathermon. it should have been a forum post - not part of a hotel review. the whole point of it was to inform people - not only those looking up information on one property, but the whole traveling public.
Many of us (like myself) don't ever read reviews of hotels on T.A., but loads of people around the world DO read the forum posts and discussions sharing general info about the destination itself - and that is where that post belonged.
If I'm not mistaken, not only was the original thread closed (that followed up the victim's Coco review) but I can't find it on the TA forum at all. I know I'm tired, but I looked for it 2 or 3 times and couldn't find it. Has it been removed? After it was closed, a new thread was started recommending using private taxis rather than route taxis because (the poster claimed) that there were two assaults this year involving route taxis. After 20 posts, the thread was closed and the OP's post was removed at the author's request. I'm wondering if he maybe realized he jumped the gun assuming "route taxis". Even the copy posted here of the private message from one of the recent victims indicated "red plate", not "route taxi".
It would be helpful for travellers to have the plate/route question confirmed, but we may never know, maybe the victims themselves are not 100% clear about it.
Wow, I dont see the 2nd thread this morning. Seems that everything about this assault is wiped off TA.
I find it disturbing that TA would wipe out all information concerning this incident unless they found it suspect. I agree it did not belong in a CocoLaPalm review but information like this should not be wiped clean from a TA forum. This discussion could save a life.
We’ve never had a problem with taxis in Negril although I have had some pretty aggressive drivers stop and insist they were taxi drivers and those red plates mean nothing. I just say no thank you and I keep moving. Maybe I should rent a phone and keep the #'s of a few drivers in it. That way when we are out we can give them a call for pick up.
For me ...Bnewb said it best ..."The pennies you're going to save by hopping into route cabs or strange vehicles...is simply not worth the risk."
I am wondering just how legit the red plates are compared to the white plates .... I've had some nut-jobs with both, but overall I would rate the cab service in Negril an A-minus or B-plus .... They're usually there when you need 'em, they're inexpensive, and they're often friendly and informative -- not a bad deal.
Gerry,
The color of the license plates determines what type of transportation class the vehicle is in. White plates are private passenger vehicles - just as the car you drive at home is a private passenger vehicle. It is not licensed or insured to carry paying passengers. Your car you drive everyday at home in not a taxi. There is no white plated vehicles in Jamaica that are legal taxis.
Red license plates are public passenger vehicles, meaning they are taxis. They are the ONLY LEGAL AND LEGIT TAXIS - all other vehicles that are acting as a taxi are illegal taxis.
Hey Rob,
Just curious. Have you heard any local gossip about this? I'd think word travels fast around town. Especially when it comes to alleged crimes against tourists. Seeing as tourism is such a huge part of the local and national economy. I would think a majority of locals look down on those who make it less appealing for tourists to visit.
Flip,
Of course we hear the local gossip. The Negril rumor mill is always active! But there is never any point to post these rumors as they mean nothing. Facts are facts, rumors are not.
The local economy is tourism based here in Negril, so yes, the local residents do take a serious look at those who try and hurt their interests as anyone would. And contrary to what some seem to think, the police are quite active in trying to apprehend those who do harm.
That was the biggest ? mark for me...Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob
Good Deal.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob
[QUOTE=Weathermon & Mi Lady;64040]??? So what! The review was not bashing the hotel, just the opposite in fact. No forum posting concerning the issue survived a day because people feel the need to press the report button and have the information removed so that it is now only available on less known travel sites. That seems like foolishness to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jamerican1
Does anyone know where I can or if I can see the story??? I never got to read it...
Iriesistah,
The original information that was posted on TA has been removed by TA. There was also a secondary thread started by someone not involved in the incident about the same incident which was also removed.
The original poster of the information has never posted the information here on Negril.com or anywhere else on the internet as far as I can tell. There has been posts made by the second person in the vehicle, and that information has been posted on a site that Negril.com has had legal issues with in the past including libel. Because of this fact, we have been informed by our lawyers that any direct references to this website should not be allowed.
In regards to this advice, the second person in the vehicle has tried to make a couple posts here - but her posts did not offer any further information or description other than posting the link to this same website that I mentioned above.
TA has a Negril forum for general Negril discussion...Why even assoicate it with Coco.....or as a hotel review...especially if you really want people to read about it...I read the negril forum but never read the hotel reviews...Post it on the Negril Forum so more folks could see it...This really important story was left for only folks reading the Coco review to see....
They did. It was taken down within the day.Quote:
Originally Posted by BR Mon
With a little research I was able to find the email address of the original TA poster. I emailed her and asked if she would share her story with me as I too travel alone sometimes and use taxis. She responded to me and told me the whole REAL story. It is terrible and frightening.
She also asked that it just all be dropped because she needs to move on and put this behind her.
Yes, do a little research in advance (especially when traveling solo) and always bring the common sense along... and I am sure SWEETNESS would agree. :) lolQuote:
Originally Posted by garysteph1018
I don't know about anyone else - but this CHICK is going to fight back...ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS TWO OF US!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Flipadelphia26
Good 'nuff. I certainly hope she soon recovers and is someday able to look at this as one of life's harder learned lessons. Despite all the red plate/white plate talk, the bottom line is that we should always use caution, no matter where we are but especially when far from home and in no way do we mean to blame the victim.Quote:
Originally Posted by Iriesistah
Bless & PEACE.
just let it go boardies.......
this is the first time mi ever seen sumthin like this mentioned on here nor heard anything like this in Negril.......
and it's a rare situation.........trust mi........
Cool Runnings, Marko
She did verify with me that it indeed WAS a red plate taxi.