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LockedWhy I Think This Site is Phony

posted on September 01, 2008 at 06:50PM Inappropriate?
The idea of a retailer reaching out to customers is a great and admirable idea, but I honestly feel this site is phony and not a serious attempt at it.

1. Lack of Sears and K-Mart branding - this site looks nothing like sears.com or kmart.com. The only branding is a tiny logo with the words "SK-YOU"  that looks like a 13 year old did in Photoshop. There isn't even a Sears Holdings Corporation copyright line at the bottom. Any idiot on the internet could lift the Sears and K-Mart logo and create a site.

2. Many screen names seem fake - "Searsmom" and "Iluvsears" are prime examples. To me they appear to be either bots or fake names created to have fake posts.

3. Many posts seem fake - The general language in the posts that are made by the above screennames and by "Staff" simply do not consist with the way people normally speak online or offline. I find it odd that a lot of the screen names that appear to be fake have lavished Sears and K-Mart with praise in posts that appear to be fake.

4. Some of the few people here that I know are real because I have seen them on other forums have suggested some real changes that I know Sears Holdings Corporation would never implement.

5. The software for the forum here is woefully under-powered. A good example is the recent spamming. Any other forum software would have flood controls or CAPTCHA to prevent posts from being posted in those quantities or at that speed. I would also like to add that at any other forum the spammer would have been banned and his posts deleted by moderation staff.

Thats about all I can think of right now. For me, this site is a crock and has no credibility. No BS line from "AskRob" will change that view as I doubt he is even a real person.

If this site is real and the people are real, prove it!
replies: 119 latest post: February 02, 2010 at 11:50AM by JulieK
Displaying posts 1 - 20 of 119 in total
posted on September 01, 2008 at 08:46PM
 
well im real but the site however is fake the interactions ive had with the "mods" proves that. this is just a pr gimmick if youve looked at the reviews youll see that they have links to sears on them so you can see prices etc its just another way to try to get whats left of sears customers to shop on line so they can do away with the brick and mortar stores all together.
posted on September 02, 2008 at 04:46AM
 

Well, the site is sponsored by Sears and, voluntary.  It seemed pretty obvious to me that it is a marketing tool.   If you don't like it simply don't shop at Sears. 

I joined because I'm hoping to read some reviews before I shop for a product.

By the way, Your picture is very mature---NOT.

posted on September 02, 2008 at 06:04AM
 
In response to bison's post from September 02 2008 04:46AM
bison said…

Well, the site is sponsored by Sears and, voluntary.  It seemed pretty obvious to me that it is a marketing tool.   If you don't like it simply don't shop at Sears. 

I joined because I'm hoping to read some reviews before I shop for a product.

By the way, Your picture is very mature---NOT.

ah actually i fall under the works for sears category and they have said they welcom imput from people that work there

what you dont like Jonny Cash?
posted on September 03, 2008 at 12:01PM
 

Thanks for all of the feedback. The partnership between our site and Sears is still new and growing so we are constantly looking for ways to improve and protect the site!

We have new members joining everyday and allow people to choose any screen name they please. Some show their support for Sears and Kmart while others do not. What is most important, however, is that we allow everyone the same opportunity to provide their point of view. Also, all of the members and staff in the community are 100% real! Here is the link explaining exactly who all of the staff members are! http://sk-you.viewpoints.com/content/meet_sears.

We truly do read and review all of your input and although it may take some time, we want to work towards implementing some of your advice and suggestions into the site as well as Sears and Kmart!

 

posted on September 03, 2008 at 02:46PM
 
I will repeat me same sentiment.... Anyone could put together a site and claim its real.  So far I see no *hard* evidence - just claims online.
posted on September 04, 2008 at 12:07PM
 
In response to searstruth's post from September 03 2008 02:46PM
searstruth said…
I will repeat me same sentiment.... Anyone could put together a site and claim its real.  So far I see no *hard* evidence - just claims online.

You're pretty passionate about this idea, but please tell us what you think a "real" site with "real" people should look like. Both the site and all of the people who contribute in it are in literal terms, real, but do you mean something else?

This is a great time to offer constructive suggestions since we're making enhancements (some big and some small) that you can also help to shape.

posted on September 05, 2008 at 01:40PM
 
In response to searstruth's post from September 01 2008 06:50PM

Searstruth,

I believe this is a real Sears/Kmart site. The evidence is right in front of you. It's run just like the stores....

posted on September 11, 2008 at 05:31PM
 
If you dont think this is a "real" site...then move on. And of course Sears/KMart is using this site to improve customer relations and "pick our brains" to get new ideas...after all they ARE in business to make money...at least that is the general idea!!! I would like to see some more topics covered...the questions that I am contacted by email to comment on all are looking for "innovative" ideas about appliances...Michelina...there has got to be something else that you would like to discuss with us...or do I just not understand how this site works yet????
By the way...I used to work for Sears...I hope that doesn't "disqualify" me in any way...I have hesitated to give what I feel like may be an "insiders" view because I dont know if you want that type of feedback or not. I havent worked for Sears in about 9 years...so lots and LOTS of things have changed...and a lot of them are not for the better I am afraid.

posted on September 13, 2008 at 11:14AM
 

Why is SHC doing this through Viewpoints rather than through an SHC-run site? Maybe that's why there is the impression that this isn't connected with Kmart/Sears.

Does Viewpoints Network host sites like this for other companies?

posted on September 14, 2008 at 12:41PM
 
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion I suppose
posted on September 14, 2008 at 12:54PM
 

I think youre a phony searstruth, you need to realize that my boy big Eddie L. is running things and he is the best at what he does!

posted on September 15, 2008 at 01:54PM
 
In response to optiplex745's post from September 14 2008 12:54PM
Hi there. Thanks for contributing in the forums! Please remember as part of our discussion board guidelines we do not allow any personal attacks on any other members in the community. We respect everyones opinions and want to hear what everyone has to say!
posted on September 15, 2008 at 03:24PM
 
In response to ace1210's post from September 13 2008 11:14AM
Hi Ace - Good question! SHC uses many vendors and external suppliers (this is a pretty common practice for them) and wanted to get the community going quickly, away from the distraction of the commerce site, to learn how best to develop the community based on member's interests. Over the next few months we will be integrating it more with Sears businesses so that more of the customers can enjoy its benefits.
posted on September 15, 2008 at 09:21PM
 
I simply wanted to enter a contest and was sent to this site instead.  This is trickery and a waste of my time. Making someone believe when they enter their personal information for contest purposes and never confirming their name was "entered" into a drawing is deceiving at best!
posted on September 15, 2008 at 10:34PM
 
i agree what a rip off
posted on September 16, 2008 at 12:02AM
 
In response to Tmcauley's post from September 15 2008 09:21PM
Just curious what contest you thought you were joining? We definitely want to be certain that there isnt any trickery going on. The more details you can provide, the better we can investigate. :) Thanks for the heads up.

p.s. That was a real response, from a real person, really at midnight. I am tired now. :) LOL.
posted on September 16, 2008 at 02:36AM
 
In response to Tmcauley's post from September 15 2008 09:21PM

Do you mean the K-mart feedback survey from their receipt? If so, I was only offered this site After I was done entering the feedback contest in which I was qualified as an entry for a $2.500 K-mart gift card, and they confirmed that I was done entering clear as day. Then they asked if I wished to joint "sk-you"

posted on September 16, 2008 at 05:38AM
 
I was doing the K-mart feedback survey. Then I was asked to join "sk-you"
posted on September 16, 2008 at 10:20AM
 
In response to Tmcauley's post from September 15 2008 09:21PM
Tmcauley said…
I simply wanted to enter a contest and was sent to this site instead.  This is trickery and a waste of my time. Making someone believe when they enter their personal information for contest purposes and never confirming their name was "entered" into a drawing is deceiving at best!

By filling out the feedback survey, you are automatically entered into the contest you mention. Joining or not joining the community does not effect that. The community also runs contests from time to time, so there should be more opportunities to participate if you have interest.

But you bring up a good point, it might be good to clarify this so that people don't get confused.

posted on September 16, 2008 at 02:47PM
 
Thanks so much for the clarifications. We appreciate it. And, we can work to ensure that the language is clearer going forward. We hope you do stick around though-- we value all the great feedback people are sharing.
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