Is a 4.2 review bad?

[zehraabdulla]

Hi,

I have been on Upwork for almost a year now, and have been doing relatively well, having acheived Top Rated Status early on. So far, I have received 5 star revies from every one of my clients (40+).

Recently, however I completed a job for a client who appeared to be satisfied with my work and promised future work as well, but left me a 4.2 rating. Upon further enquiry, she responded that she believes 4.2 is excellent and that she does not rate anybody 100%! 

I am a bit concerned as to the impact this could have on my JSS, and whether I should let the rating be, or have it removed. Any inputs would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[lysis10 · Accepted solution]

I've had plenty but the stars don't matter. It's that private feedback and that 1-10 option they choose if they recommend you. If they still choose a 9 it's probably not going to hurt much but if they go to 5 or 6 it's probably not gonna be good.

[prestonhunter]

re: "Is a 4.2 review bad?"

No.

That is NOT a bad review.

And Jennifer is right, a public star average of 4.2 is perfectly fine for your Job Success Score.

You can have a Job Success Score of 100% and still have many low 4.* scores.

I know, because I do.

[yitwail]

Zehra, in keeping with what Jennifer pointed out, wait until your Job Success drops significantly before you consider removing a feedback. Assuming you're top rated, you can only do this once every 3 months, so don't do it unless it's necessary to rehabilitate your JS.

[versailles]

5 tends to be the norm. Everything else looks like a so-so rating. JSS probably sees a 4.2 as not so good, this, however, has to be mitigated by the fact that the private feedback left by the client, especially the 0-10 rating about how likely they would recommend you, seems to be the main factor in JSS.

This client may have left you a 10/10 as private rating (yay!) and a 4.2 as a public rating (bummer!).

But then, I understand her logic. Maybe for her, 5 is for exceptional circumstances.

[barada00]

---

@Zehra A wrote:

Hi,

I have been on Upwork for almost a year now, and have been doing relatively well, having acheived Top Rated Status early on. So far, I have received 5 star revies from every one of my clients (40+).

Recently, however I completed a job for a client who appeared to be satisfied with my work and promised future work as well, but left me a 4.2 rating. Upon further enquiry, she responded that she believes 4.2 is excellent and that she does not rate anybody 100%! 

I am a bit concerned as to the impact this could have on my JSS, and whether I should let the rating be, or have it removed. Any inputs would be appreciated.

Thanks!

---

1- Any rating less than 5 is a bad rating. This is my personal opinion of course.

2- I wouldn't work with her again. Ever!

3- I would check the ratings clients give and receive before starting a contract from now on.

[vieniav]

I cannot agree more with Baris on point #3. Before working with a client I would check their rating habit. If they give freelancers mostly under 5 star reviews then it's feasible that you will be rated within that range (if you're not a Superman/Wonderwoman).

[zehraabdulla]

Thanks for all your input! I am definitely weary about working with her again and will be checking clients feedback patterns from now on. Its the first time something like this has happened so am a bit surprised/dissapointed.

Keeping my fingers crossed for impact on JSS! Thanks again!

[prestonhunter]

A score of 5 is a meaningless rating.

A score of 5 doesn't indicate that a client thoughtfully considered the freelancer's performance in each of 6 performance categories and seriously considered the freelancer to be perfect in all six.

When I see a score of less than a perfect 5, then I am willing to believe the client thoughtfully and meaningfully evaluated the freelancer.