Embassy RATINGS

[TBoneTX 45,329]

I'm willing to bet that the answers to these questions are "yes," but I would appreciate confirmation.

In the creation process of an embassy RATING (the satisfaction level of 1 through 5 stars), zero appears to be one of the numerical choices. However, in the drop-down box, only the numbers 1 through 5 actually show up. (Perhaps this is peculiar to my computer.) Regardless, is a zero an actual option, and does a choice of zero figure in to the overall (average?) numerical rating of an embassy? Thank you.

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

Zero should have been an option. I have corrected it to allow that choice. Like you said, it does figure into the averages. Since it is an average, a selection of zero does not screw anything incorrectly.

[TBoneTX 45,329]

Zero should have been an option. I have corrected it to allow that choice. Like you said, it does figure into the averages. Since it is an average, a selection of zero does not screw anything incorrectly.

Thanks, Admiral, but I'm still confused: Does this mean that previous raters who WANTED to apply a score of zero were unable to do so, or they thought that they were doing so but it didn't count as such? If the answer to either of these is yes, then can those individuals return to correct their ratings so that it definitely counts as a zero?

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

Zero should have been an option. I have corrected it to allow that choice. Like you said, it does figure into the averages. Since it is an average, a selection of zero does not screw anything incorrectly.

Thanks, Admiral, but I'm still confused: Does this mean that previous raters who WANTED to apply a score of zero were unable to do so, or they thought that they were doing so but it didn't count as such? If the answer to either of these is yes, then can those individuals return to correct their ratings so that it definitely counts as a zero?

Hard to say but I am not sure on if a rating of 1/5 is a lot different than 0/5. I mean it is slightly better but hopefully their description laid out the story. As to changing it then there may be a lot of work for minimal gain. Thoughts?

[TBoneTX 45,329]

Hard to say but I am not sure on if a rating of 1/5 is a lot different than 0/5. I mean it is slightly better but hopefully their description laid out the story. As to changing it then there may be a lot of work for minimal gain. Thoughts?

With apologies for lobbying intensely for the "lot of work," I vehemently opine that there is a world of difference between a 0 and a 1 when one has been HOSED at an embassy. A "1" implies that there was an iota of "good" when in fact there was none. There's a psychological difference beyond any slight numerical difference, and a (no pun intended) "point" to be made.

The chance to assign a zero also makes up for the people who gave a "5" simply because they were happy to get their visa, and not because the experience or treatment was objectively a 5.

Edited August 3, 2009 by TBoneTX

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

I would be happy to simply change it back to 1 --> 5 scale which would fit with how it has been for a long time. The instructions listed 0 as an option but it was simply not available for people for quite a while (if ever).

I wanted to add that giving the option to rate a zero is either a good new option or simply can skew previous ratings slightly. I will simply change it back if that is a major concern (change back to 1-->5 and fix the instructions).