Wall Of Shame: Another Day, Another 3 Million Dollars - TripAdvisor Riding The Backs Of The Little Guys ... Their Customers

TripAdvisor LLC
400 First Avenue
Needham, MA 02494 USA
Phone: +1 (781) 800-5000
Website: TripAdvisor.com

TripAdvisor is a greedy, ruthless company and if you believe their dribble, I have a bridge in Hayes, Kansas I would love to sell you.

I was a TripAdvisor "TOP CONTRIBUTOR" for years, submitting hundreds of complimentary reviews from all over the World and getting nothing in return except total disrespect, refusing to publish many of my reviews with no reasonable explanation.

TripAdvisor makes billions (approximately $1.5 Billion in 2015) off of merchants who pay for "premium" ad or review placement on their websites and review contributors like me who spend a great deal of time generating revenue for TripAdvisor by submitting reviews gratis. Take a look at their swanky new headquarters in Needham, Massachusetts paid for by you (who click on their ads), me (who foolishly submit reviews gratis to TripAdvisor), and merchants (who pay for ads and premium review placement).

I had numerous reviews "denied" for posting on TripAdvisor while given no explanation other than "your review does not meet our guidelines". The same exact reviews were submitted on such reputable sites as Yelp (where I am Elite '14/'15/'16'/'17), Zomato ("Verified Connoisseur"), Tabelog (Official "Silver" Judge), Booking.com (Genius), and others, including my popular blog CombatCritic's TravelValue, and published without delay. TripAdvisor, on the other hand, MUST APPROVE ALL REVIEWS before publishing, ensuring that they contribute to their bottom line ($$$$) and do not detract from paid advertisements or their own image.

I can guarantee you that the "pending" reviews listed in the above photo will never be published because of my valid criticisms of TripAdvisor's imperfect website and biased business practices. Here are the unfiltered reviews in question if you want to read them for yourself:

Valletta, Malta: Free Valletta Tour Well Worth Price Of Admission ... And More!

Valletta, Malta: "Sunk" My Teeth Into This "Submarine" And Boy Was I Glad I Did

The owner of The Submarine, for example, has been complaining to TripAdvisor for months about the incorrect map location of their business on TripAdvisor's website, to no avail. We had the same problem, searching for the "#1 of 280 Valletta Restaurants", The Submarine, on TripAdvisor's map function, missing the mark by several blocks and finally calling the business to get directions. I submitted a map correction to TripAdvisor, pinpointing the exact location of The Submarine, but like all other feedback customers give them, it will likely be ignored. The only reason we were using TripAdvisor, by the way, is because they are the only game in town (Malta - the same in India), likely paying-off local officials, in my opinion, in order to keep competition like Yelp and Zomato out of their markets.

All TripAdvisor cares about is making money, not telling the truth, in my opinion, so they only post reviews that support their goals, generating revenue from travel industry businesses that pay for premium placement and clicks on travel related ads. That is why I told them to "shove it" about a year-and-a-half ago after they refused to publish my perfectly benign review of the Villisca Ax Murder House in Villisca, Iowa, resubmitting the same review several times only to be denied publishing.

I documented my concern and protest of TripAdvisor's unprofessional behavior and misleading content in my June 24, 2016 post after complaining to TripAdvisor several times, with no response, then deleting my "Top Contributor" account entirely.

I refuse to do business with TripAdvisor and so should you. The only reason I posted the recent reviews was to test their business practices once again by posting my concerns and complaints publicly to see if they would be published ... they will not.

CombatCritic Gives TripAdvisor An Unprecedented 0 Bombs Out Of 10 And An Additional Spot On My "WALL OF SHAME" ... Shame On You TripAdvisor!

Zero Bombs Equates To:

Read Reviews By CombatCritic:

Yelp - Elite '14/'15/'16/'17 - 650,000+ Views A Year

Tabelog - Official Judge (Silver)

Zomato - #1 Ranked "Verified" Foodie - Over  1,890,733 Review And Photo Views

... And Don't Forget To Subscribe To TravelValue TV on YouTube 

Title: Wall Of Shame: Another Day, Another 3 Million Dollars - TripAdvisor Riding The Backs Of The Little Guys ... Their Customers

Key Words: TripAdvisor, trip, advisor, website, hotels, restaurants, things to do, reservations, TripAdvisor.com, unprofessional, biased, ruthless, Yelp, YouTube, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value, Wall of Shame

Translation for Civilians: FUBAR = "Fucked Up Beyond All Repair"

"CombatCritic", "TravelValue" and "BOOAH" Are Protected Under U.S. Copyright Laws And Are Exclusive Property Of 3rd Wave Media Group, LLC and CombatCritic

Copyright 2017-2018 - 3rd Wave Media Group, LLC and CombatCritic - All Rights Reserved

"TravelValue: Lawrence, Kansas"

Welcome To Lawrence, Kansas 

aka "LFK"

Lawrence is a medium size city of around 90,000, not including 28,000+ students attending the University of Kansas (KU), in East Central Kansas about 40 miles from the Missouri border and the city of Kansas City, Missouri.

Lawrence is the sixth largest city in Kansas, was founded by the New England Emigrant Aid Company, and was named after Amos Adams Lawrence (bust and photo below) who provided finances to establish the settlement. Lawrence was a Union town during the Civil War and site of a massacre of nearly 200 men and boys on August 21st, 1863, also known as Quantrill's raid. Many of the town's wooden structures succumbed to the raider's torches, burning to the ground and leaving a select few that still stand today.

Most well known for KU's infamous basketball powerhouse program with 10 out of the last 12 Big 12 Conference titles and 5 national championships, KU is a charming college town and a liberal enclave in a VERY conservative state. Allen Fieldhouse, named after famed KU and Olympic basketball coach Phog Allen, is home to KU's basketball team. Beside the team's incredible home record, Allen Fieldhouse is one of the most intimidating venues for visiting teams in the NCAA.

A new addition has been built on the east side, ground level, of historic Allen Fieldhouse, making room for thousands of photos, National Championship Trophies, game balls, uniforms and many other displays highlighting the history of KU sports and the University of Kansas Hall of Fame, not just for basketball. Many of the displays are chronologically arranged, making a trip back through KU sports history a breeze. 

Lawrence is also loved for its historic downtown, "Mass Street", so named after Massachusetts Street on which the majority of shops and restaurants can be found between 6th Street to the north and 12th Street to the south. Many of the buildings date back to the mid to late-1800s with a few modern monstrosities mingled in for good measure. You can even find an old fashioned department store, Weaver's, that has been in the same spot since 1857 and is still going strong today.

The Granada Theatre, also on Mass Street, was built in the 1930′s and started as a silent movie theater, continuing to show movies until the 1980s. The Granada has been a well known venue for live acts, mostly music groups, since the late '90s, hosting famous performers such as Marilyn Manson, Smashing Pumpkins, and John Mayer just to name a few.

The KU campus is most charming and the hub of activity and employment in Lawrence with older, classic buildings going back many decades - Wescoe Hall being one of the exceptions - and sitting atop Rock Chalk hill (actually, "Rock Chalk" is the name for a limestone outcropping found on Mount Oread on which the KU campus is perched).

There are several notable museums in Lawrence, among them KU's Spencer Museum of Art with its eclectic and impressive collection, including works by Andy Warhol, Angelo Bronzino, Albert Bierstadt, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Édouard Manet, and John Singer Sargent just to name a few.

Having been to some of the world's greatest museums, including the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay and l'Orangerie (Paris), the British Museum and Tate Modern (London), the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Guggenheim (NYC), the Vatican Museums, Galleria dell'Accademia and Galleria degli Uffizi (Italy), Museo del Prado and Museo Picasso Málaga (Spain), and the Philadelphia Museum of Art to name just a few, I must compare the Spencer to them. Although not on the same level as any museum listed above, the Spencer  is impressive on several levels, an excellent value, and entertaining way to spend two to three hours.

Lawrence also has plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, including Clinton Lake State Park to the southwest, three top-rated golf courses (Eagle Bend, Lawrence Country Club, and Alvamar), several miles of walking and biking trails, the Kansas River and several city parks, the largest being South Park (established 1854) with its gazebo-style bandstand (built in 1906) where you can enjoy free concerts on summer evenings and numerous fairs and events throughout the year.

There are numerous restaurants in Lawrence, from chains like On the Border, Chili's, Burger King and Applebee's to fine dining as is the case with Cafe Beautiful. I have not been overly impressed with the quality or choice of restaurants in Lawrence, but some of the better ones are Zen Zero (Thai/Asian fusion), Limestone (pizza), Dempsey's Burger Pub and Burger Stand at The Casbah (hamburgers), Mi Ranchito (Mexican), Thai Diner (Thai), and Korean Cafe (Korean). Lawrence does not have a decent Italian restaurant (an Olive Garden would be the best Italian in town if there was one) and if you want French or German, you have to travel 30+ miles to Topeka or Kansas City. 

MORE ABOUT LAWRENCE, KANSAS

COMING SOON

Read Reviews By CombatCritic:

Yelp - Elite '14/'15/'16

Tabelog - Official Judge (Silver)

Zomato - #1 Ranked "Verified" Foodie





... And Don't Forget To Subscribe To TravelValue TV on YouTube

Title: Welcome To "TravelValue: Lawrence, Kansas"

Key Words: Lawrence, Kansas, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value, restaurants, parks, museums, golf, course, Mass, Massachusetts, street, raid, Quantrill, KU, University of Kansas, university, Jayhawks

Portland, Oregon: Restaurants Open On Christmas Day And Eve

Some do not like to cook on Christmas Day and others have nowhere to go, so I compiled a list for those who would like to go out for a meal this Christmas.

The following list is comprised of restaurants that were open last year, so please call before you go:

Christmas Eve

Acadia
1303 NE Fremont St
Portland, OR 97212
(503) 249-5001
acadiapdx.com

Altabira City Tavern
1021 NE Grand Ave
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 963-3600
altabira.com

Ava Gene's
3377 SE Division St
Portland, OR 97202
(971) 229-0571
avagenes.com

Departure
525 SW Morrison St
Portland, OR 97204
(503) 802-5370
departureportland.com

Feisty Lamb
2174 W Burnside St.
Portland OR 97210
(503) 206-4253

Lechon
113 SW Naito Pkwy
Portland, OR 97204
(503) 219-9000
lechonpdx.com

Open Tandoor
4311 N Williams Ave

Portland, OR 97217
(503) 719-7347
opentandoor.com

The Woodsman Tavern

4537 SE Division St
Portland, OR 97206
(971) 373-8264
woodsmantavern.com

Tusk
2448 E Burnside St
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 894-8082
tuskpdx.com

Verdigris
1315 NE Fremont St
Portland, OR 97212
(503) 477-8106
verdigrisrestaurant.com

Christmas Day

East India Co. Grill & Bar
821 SW 11th Ave
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 227-8815
eicpdx.com

Feisty Lamb
2174 W Burnside St.
Portland OR 97210
(503) 206-4253

Headwaters
1001 SW Broadway
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 790-7752
headwaterspdx.com

Kenny & Zuke's Delicatessen
1038 SW Stark St
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 222-3354
kennyandzukes.com

KUNG POW!
500 NW 21st Ave
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 208-2173
kungpowpdx.com

Jake's Grill
611 SW 10th Ave
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 220-1850

Nel Centro
1408 SW 6th Ave
Portland, OR 97201
(503) 484-1099
nelcentro.com

Nob Hill Bar & Grill
937 NW 23rd Ave
Portland, OR 97210
(503) 274-9616

Prost
4237 N. Mississippi
Portland, OR 97217
North Portland, Boise, Mississippi
Phone number (503) 954-2674
6pm - 2:30am
http://www.prostportland.com/

Radio Room
1101 NE Alberta St
Portland, OR 97211
(503) 287-2346
radioroompdx.com

Sizzle Pie
624 E Burnside St
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 234-7437
sizzlepie.com

Stammtisch
401 NE 28th Ave
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 206-7983
stammtischpdx.com

Call-In and Carry-Out Only

Elephants Delicatessen
115 NW 22nd Ave
Portland, OR 97210
(503) 299-6304
elephantsdeli.com

Mi Mero Mole
5026 SE Division St
Portland, OR 97206
(503) 232-8226
mmmtacospdx.com

Pacific Pie Company
1520 SE 7th Ave
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 381-6157
pacificpieco.com

Por qué no?
3524 N Mississippi Ave
Portland, OR 97227
(503) 467-4149
porquenotacos.com

Chain Restaurants Open Christmas Day

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar

applebees.com

4 to 11 p.m.

Denny’s

dennys.com

425 NE HASSALO ST
PORTLAND, OR 97232
(503) 236-3727

10428 S E STARK
PORTLAND, OR 97216
(503) 254-8460

11950 N. CENTER STREET
PORTLAND, OR 97217
(503) 285-0735

12101 SE 82ND AVE
HAPPY VALLEY, OR 97086
(503) 653-9589

Most locations plan to be open 24 hours on Christmas Day

IHOP

ihop.com

4931 SE 82nd Ave
PORTLAND, OR 97266-3103
(503) 771 1582

9840 NE Cascades Parkway
PORTLAND, OR 97220-6825
(503) 282 4467

Hours: Most locations will be open 24 hours Christmas Day but some locations will just be open from 6 a.m. to midnight

McDonald’s

mcdonalds.com

SW 2nd Ave
Portland, OR, USA

SE 2nd Ave
Portland, OR, USA

NE 2nd Ave
Portland, OR, USA

NW 2nd St
Portland, OR 97231, USA

NW 2nd Ave
Portland, OR 97209, USA

NE 2nd Ave
Portland, OR 97211, USA

NW 2nd Ct
Portland, OR 97231, USA


SW 2nd Ave
Portland, OR 97239, USA

Some franchisee owned locations will be open and some will be closed.

Additionally, many Chinese restaurants are normally open as are hotel dining rooms.

Good luck, buon appetito, and ... Merry Christmas!

Read Reviews By CombatCritic:

Yelp - Elite '14/'15/'16

Tabelog - Official Judge (Silver)

Zomato - #1 Ranked "Verified" Foodie





... And Don't Forget To Subscribe To TravelValue TV on YouTube

Title: Portland Restaurants Open On Christmas Day And Eve

Key Words: Portland Restaurants Open On Christmas Day And Eve, CombatCritic, holiday, Portland, Oregon, Christmas, day, eve, open, restaurants, TravelValue, travel, value, restaurant, menu, review, Yelp, Zomato, Tabelog

Omaha, NE: Quaint, But Small - Worth A "Short" Visit

Omaha's Old Market

Omaha, NE 68102

Old Market, Downtown

Website: oldmarket.com

Nice area, old refurbished buildings, restaurants and shops, but the area only covers about two square blocks. 

We expected to spend several hours in the Omaha's spotlight and most publicized feature, but after 45 minutes to an hour, we had seen pretty much everything. So do not get your hopes too high although it is a quaint area of town.

We had dinner at Jackson Street Tavern and were not particularly impressed (see my review), but "Chloe" at Joe's Collectibles (in the alley behind Jackson Street Tavern - enter from 12th Street and follow the signs - also reviewed) was the highlight of our visit. The mounted police were also very friendly, posing for photos with them and their beautiful horses.

It is worth a visit, but do not set your expectations too high or you may be disappointed.

Read Chris S.'s review of Old Market on Yelp

CombatCritic Gives Omaha's Old Market 5 Bombs Out Of 10 ... More Bombs Are Better!

Five Bombs Equates To:

Read Reviews By CombatCritic:

Yelp - Elite '14/'15/'16

Tabelog - Official Judge (Silver)

Zomato - #1 Ranked Foodie





... And Don't Forget To Subscribe To TravelValue TV on YouTube

Title: Omaha, NE: Quaint, But Small - Worth A "Short" Visit

Key Words: Old Market, old, market, downtown Omaha, Nebraska, Jackson, street, antiques, Chloe, Joe's, dog, CombatCritic, TravelValue, travel, value, restaurants, shops, review, Yelp

Translation for Civilians: Charlie-Mike = "Continue Mission"