Member Article

Ovenu Basingstoke owner celebrates top rated five-star reviews

The owner of oven valeting company Ovenu Basingstoke is celebrating after only attracting maximum rated reviews online.

Gary Burbedge is one of 85 Ovenu franchisees across the country who together have achieved almost 24,000 of the highest five-star ratings.

Such overwhelmingly positive reviews are crucial when it comes to giving customers the confidence to select a home-based service, according to a mini poll conducted by the company.

It found that 67% of respondents are influenced by positive online reviews when choosing to deal with a business.

Gary, who has attracted 215 of the five star reviews, said: “It is gratifying to know my customers have taken the time and trouble to give Ovenu Basingstoke the highest possible rating.

“No review fell below the maximum five stars so it’s great to know the business is held in such high regard and that I’m delivering a high-quality service, which is appreciated and trusted by my customers.”

Gary worked as a prison officer for eight years and initially joined the Ovenu franchise as a sub-contractor before establishing his own business.

Franchisees of Ovenu, the leading domestic oven cleaning and valeting specialist, which are based throughout the UK, attracted a total of 23,874 five-star ratings on review platform TRUSTist.

Rik Helewell, Managing Director of Ovenu, said: “The maximum rating is a tribute to Gary’s hard work and dedication. After all, they do say the customer is always right!

“Many people are increasingly turning to online reviews when it comes to choosing services, so its tremendous to achieve the highest quality feedback possible.”

However, the poll also found that 59% of people still value and trust a personal recommendation more highly than online praise.

Gary added: “It’s important to receive positive feedback through reviews but many of my customers also get in touch through a personal recommendation – so its nice to be recognised both online and via traditional word of mouth.”

The research, based on a sample of almost 1,350 people, was derived from mini polls conducted on behalf of Ovenu by independent market research company DRG.

It found that 46% of respondents said overwhelmingly positive reviews meant they would be more willing to pay extra for a product or service.

Meanwhile, 57% said they would require more than 85% positive reviews to have full confidence in a business, whilst just 8% of respondents said they would still part with their cash even if half the reviews were negative.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by News Gathering .