Reviews

How Reviews Work

The Blind Escrow System

Tutorwise uses a 7-day blind escrow period to encourage honest feedback:

1. Session Completes → Review opportunity created
2. Both Parties Write Reviews → Reviews stay hidden from each other
3. All Submit → Reviews publish immediately (before 7 days)
4. Or Deadline Passes → Reviews auto-publish after 7 days

Why 7 Days?

The escrow period solves the "reciprocity problem":

• Without escrow: Fear of bad reviews leads to inflated ratings
• With escrow: Honest feedback without fear of retaliation
• Early publication: Rewards prompt engagement (no need to wait 7 days!)

Leaving a Review

Step 1: Access Pending Reviews

After completing a session, you'll receive notifications:

Email Notification:

• Sent within 1 hour of session completion
• Includes direct link to review form
• Reminder sent 24 hours before deadline

In-App Notification:

• Dashboard alert
• Reviews hub shows pending reviews
• Countdown timer to deadline

Step 2: Navigate to Reviews Hub

Go to Reviews Dashboard to see:

Three Tabs:

1. Pending - Reviews you need to write
2. Received - Feedback others gave you
3. Given - Feedback you've written

Step 3: Write Your Review

Click on a pending review to open the form:

Star Rating (Required):

• 5 stars: Exceptional
• 4 stars: Great
• 3 stars: Good
• 2 stars: Fair
• 1 star: Poor

Written Feedback (Optional but Recommended):

• What went well?
• Areas for improvement
• Would you recommend them?
• Any standout moments?

Step 4: Submit

Once submitted:

• You cannot edit or delete reviews
• Review enters escrow (hidden from other party)
• You'll be notified when it publishes
• It counts toward the other person's average rating

Review Guidelines

What to Include in Good Reviews

What NOT to Include

Understanding Reviews You Receive

Viewing Received Reviews

Go to Reviews → Received tab:

What You'll See:

• Star rating (1-5 stars)
• Written feedback (if provided)
• Session context (subject, date, duration)
• Verified booking badge (confirms real session)
• Reviewer's name and photo

Your Average Rating:

• Displayed prominently on your profile
• Updates automatically when new reviews publish
• Affects Credibility Score (Performance bucket)
• Influences search ranking and visibility

Responding to Reviews

Currently, you cannot reply to reviews, but you can:

Learn and Improve:

• Read feedback constructively
• Identify patterns across reviews
• Adjust teaching/learning approach
• Reach out privately to address concerns

Dispute Inappropriate Reviews:

• Contact support@tutorwise.com
• Provide evidence if review violates guidelines
• Our team reviews within 48 hours
• Inappropriate reviews get removed

Reviews for Different User Types

For Tutors

Impact on Your Business:

• Search Ranking: Higher ratings = better visibility
• Conversion Rate: Students trust 4.5+ star tutors
• Premium Pricing: Top-rated tutors charge 30% more
• CaaS Score: Average rating worth 15 points (0-15)

Best Practices:

1. Deliver exceptional sessions consistently
2. Request feedback politely (don't pressure)
3. Respond professionally to all ratings
4. Use negative feedback to improve
5. Maintain 4.5+ average for optimal results

For Clients

Impact on Your Experience:

• Tutor Selection: Reviews help you find quality tutors
• Trust Building: Your reviews help others
• Relationship Quality: Constructive feedback improves matches
• CaaS Score: Client reviews affect your credibility too

Best Practices:

1. Be honest but constructive
2. Review promptly while session is fresh
3. Balance positive and developmental feedback
4. Consider tutor's perspective
5. Help future clients make informed decisions

For Agents

Impact on Your Network:

• Match Quality: Reviews validate your referrals
• Tutor Recruitment: Good reviews attract quality tutors
• Client Acquisition: Trust builds through transparency
• Commission Growth: Better matches = more repeat bookings

Best Practices:

1. Review both tutors and clients fairly
2. Focus on match quality and professionalism
3. Use feedback to improve future pairings
4. Support both parties through issues
5. Maintain high standards across your network

Review Scenarios Explained

Scenario 1: Direct Booking (Tutor ↔ Client)

Client books Tutor
       │
       ▼
Session completes
       │
       ▼
Both submit reviews (within 7 days)
       │
       ▼
Reviews publish immediately

Two Reviews Total:

• Client reviews Tutor
• Tutor reviews Client

Scenario 2: Referred Booking (Tutor ↔ Client ↔ Agent)

Agent refers Client to Tutor
       │
       ▼
Session completes
       │
       ▼
All three submit reviews
       │
       ▼
Reviews publish immediately

Six Reviews Total:

• Client reviews Tutor
• Client reviews Agent
• Tutor reviews Client
• Tutor reviews Agent
• Agent reviews Client
• Agent reviews Tutor

Scenario 3: Early vs. Late Publication

Early Publication (All Submit Quickly):

Day 1: Session completes
Day 1: Tutor submits review (2pm)
Day 1: Client submits review (5pm)
Day 1: Reviews publish immediately (5:01pm)

Late Publication (Delayed Submission):

Day 1: Session completes
Day 3: Tutor submits review
Day 7: Deadline passes
Day 7: Reviews publish (only tutor's review visible)

Managing Your Review Profile

Improving Your Average Rating

Focus on Quality:

• Deliver consistent, exceptional sessions
• Prepare thoroughly for each booking
• Communicate clearly and professionally
• Follow through on commitments
• Exceed expectations when possible

Increase Review Volume:

• More reviews = more stable average
• 50+ reviews: More resilient to occasional bad review
• 100+ reviews: Highly credible reputation
• Request reviews politely after great sessions

Handle Negative Feedback:

• Read carefully and reflect honestly
• Identify actionable improvements
• Don't take it personally (growth opportunity)
• One bad review won't ruin your profile
• Focus on accumulating more positive reviews

Review Stats & Analytics

Available Metrics:

• Average star rating (to 2 decimal places)
• Total review count
• Rating distribution (5-star: 80%, 4-star: 15%, etc.)
• Recent reviews trend
• Review response rate (future feature)

Where to Find Them:

• Your profile page (public)
• Dashboard stats widget (private)
• Reviews hub (detailed breakdown)
• Performance analytics (Premium users)

Troubleshooting

Q: Why can't I see the review someone left for me? A: Reviews stay hidden during the 7-day escrow period. They'll publish when either: (1) all participants submit, or (2) the deadline passes.

Q: I accidentally submitted the wrong rating. Can I edit? A: No, reviews are final once submitted. This prevents gaming the system. Be thoughtful before clicking submit.

Q: Someone left an unfair/inappropriate review. What do I do? A: Email support@tutorwise.com with:

• Review link/screenshot
• Explanation of the issue
• Any supporting evidence We review all disputes within 48 hours.

Q: Do reviews affect my Credibility Score? A: Yes! Average rating contributes 0-15 points to your CaaS Performance bucket. Learn more in our CaaS Guide.

Q: Can I opt out of reviews? A: No, reviews are mandatory for all completed sessions. They're essential for platform trust and quality.

Q: What if the other person never submits their review? A: Your review will still publish after 7 days. Their opportunity to leave feedback expires.

Q: Are reviews truly anonymous during escrow? A: Yes. Neither party can see the other's review until publication. Reviews are encrypted and stored separately.

Q: Do free sessions generate reviews? A: Yes! Free Help Now sessions create review opportunities, contributing to your CaaS Social Impact score.

Quick Links

• Reviews Dashboard — View and submit reviews
• Credibility Score Guide — Learn how reviews affect your score
• Bookings Guide — Understand the complete booking process
• For Tutors — Getting started as a tutor

Ready to build your reputation? Complete your next session and leave a thoughtful review!