As local guides we are all proud of how we bring the best of places from around the world to the attention of google users. Generally the google guides would provide feedback on what makes a place so worth visiting and all the amazing things one cannot miss out.
However, for me the most interesting thing I have done as a Local Guide is to tell the world how bad a certain place is and how they should avoid going there due to the poor level of service and inadequate pricing. By doings so, I help people save their hard earned money and instead utilize it at places that are worth it. This happened last year when I was visiting a restaurant as part of my cousin’s engagement ceremony. She had paid the restaurant heavily for a tailor-made arrangement with all the interior decoration and a buffet meal. We were all very excited and had been gearing up for the event since a long time. Unfortunately, the arrangements turned out pretty average. The menu was supposed to be a sumptuous buffet dinner, however the number of dishes served were less than as promised. The taste was pretty average and service was pathetic. Stage decoration was nowhere close to what was expected for a much awaited engagement party. We were all furious over this and registered our complaint, to no use though.
This was the time I decided I would take this to public and make sure everyone knows how pathetic this restaurant was and how much they failed to fulfill their promises. I wrote an honest review of how disappointing the experience was and to my surprise there were others to endorse my review. The review picked up quickly and gained quite a few comments and multiple views. I had a friend planning to arrange a similar event at the restaurant who cancelled her plans after reading the review and comments that endorsed my view.
I am glad I contributed in a way that helps people avoid poor experiences and helps them get good value for the money they spend. So apart from telling the world about all the great places to visit, I use Google Maps Local Guide Platform to tell people about all the places they should avoid visiting. I personally find this part of my contribution as Local Guide the most interesting!