Sorry, but you have missed the point. They didn't not do anything right. They did in fact do all the things expected. My point is that they did just that - and no more. A '3' then isn't a failure in my book. As I said, it is merely a passing grade. In no way is it indicative of a failure. A '4' or a '5' is for goods and service that are above the standard - an award for surpassing the grade. I need to be "wow'd" by the experience or product. It needs to speak to me as being beyond good. To suggest that an exceptional score be awarded to something average then is what frustrates me and has sparked this conversation - which is a great one by the way.

Am I picky? I don't believe overly so. I have spent my working life in the military and in the retail and service industries - much of it at a leadership level. I am well versed in the setting and expectation of realistic standards and goals - in most cases performed with a minimal effort. I thus also believe in reward and acknowledgement for those making an added effort to perform well above those standards. Based on my knowledge and experience then I have in my mind those things that are required to be done Vs those things that come about because of extra effort and attention - things that usually arise out of a wish to perform well and do the best job to their ability. I still acknowledge those who get the job done to the standard but reserve accolades only for those who stand out.

In the case of my last service, they did in fact meet my expecations but by no means did it stand out to me. It didn't make me think, "boy, did they ever do great."

I actually just awarded 5-stars yesterday and wrote a glowing review for an art supply. Based on what I paid, I expected a certain level of peformance. However, I was absolutely thrilled and surprised when it came to using them. Wow. Hence the full 5-stars.

I also received a delivery of an essential oils product. The description was what I was looking for but my purchase and choice between this and other products was based entirely on the 5-star rating. I was really disappointed that what arrived was not up to my expectations. Nothing was wrong with it. It just wasn't above average.