Vouch or Grouch mimics SkypeFind with user generated directory

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 19 June 2007 06:16

Your IT - Home IT

Australian website, Vouch or Grouch (www.vouchorgrouch.com.au) has been launched as an online business directory in which entries and comments are provided by users of the businesses.

The concept closely follows that of SkypeFind, launched by Skype in April as a beta feature the latest version of Skype for Windows (3.1). SkypeFind lets users rate, review and log businesses no matter where they live. Skype claimed that in just three weeks since launch the beta version of SkypeFind had attracted more than 4500 listings in over 124 countries. Skype said it expected there to be over one million by the end of 2007.

The Vouch or Grouch site also allows consumers to give their feedback on what has occurred while dealing with a business – if it is positive the business gains a vouch rating while if it is negative it receives a grouch rating and "enables visitors to make informed choices by reading comments left by other consumers."

Also, businesses can list themselves on the site choosing free or paid registration. With a paid listing the business receives specially designed point of sale cards to encourage customer feedback.

Founder Aaron Harwood said the site was aimed at rewarding businesses with outstanding customer service and improving the communication between businesses and consumers when things go wrong.

However the prospects for Vouch of Grouch could be seriously compromised by a recent court decision that has created a huge furore in Australian publishing circles: the owner of a restaurant which received an unfavourable review successfully sued for defamation, bringing into serious doubt the freedom of reviews to honestly express their views.