Frequently Asked Questions
Click on a topic below for additional questions or scroll down to browse information.
- Using MasalaMinds
- Ratings, Reviews, & Requests
- Membership & Profile
- Followers & Favorites
- Products & Businesses Listing
- Review Filter & Reporting Problems
- Privacy
Using MasalaMinds
- What is MasalaMinds?
MasalaMinds.com is virtual support system for people all over the world who travel or live far from their native country, region, or culture. Here they can get advice on basic stuff like where to find good ethnic food products and essential businesses.
- Is there a fee for signing up or subscribing to the email?
No, MasalaMinds.com will always be free for its members.
- How do I share my feedback about the MasalaMinds website?
We appreciate your honest feedback. You can email us at feedback@masalaminds.com or use the Contact Us link.
- How does choosing my current location and home region/culture help?
When you choose your current location and home region, MasalaMinds will filter the search results and present those most relevant to your location and culture. For example, a person originally from Italy or interested in Italian culture and currently residing in the U.S. may seek information on Italian products. This functionality enables him to retrieve Italian items available in the U.S. You can also use this function when traveling abroad. For example, an American visiting Brazil can choose Brazil as her current location and search "North American" culture to obtain results most relevant to her need.
Reviews, Ratings & Requests
- Are there any requirements for posting a review or a rating?
To post reviews or ratings, you must first complete the free registration. As soon as you become a member of our community, you are eligible to post reviews and ratings.
- What should I review or rate on MasalaMinds.com?
You can review any products or businesses that fall under any of our categories.
- How do I write a review?
It’s quite simple. Just find the product or business you want to review by using our search functionality or by browsing our categories. Once you find it, go to the product details page where you can access the review form and start writing your review. If you don’t find the product or business you want to review, you can add it yourself and review it. If you write a review without logging in, then you will be prompted to sign up or sign in before you post.
- How do I request additional reviews for a product or business?
Simply search for the item you would like additional reviews for, then go to the product or business page and click on the tab "Request Review". Your request for a review will now be visible to all members.
- How do I request reviews for a product or business that is currently not on the site?
If you can't find an item you need reviewed, you can add that item yourself using the "Add Product/Business" tab found on the search results page. Once added, find the item on the product page and click on "Request Review". Your request for a review will now be visible to all members.
- How do I share reviews via Facebook or Twitter?
You can share the reviews you write or read by using the Facebook and Twitter buttons next to the reviews.
- Are reviews displayed in any particular order?
Yes, they are always displayed chronologically with the newest reviews shown first.
- Can I write more than one review for a product or business?
No, you can write only one review for any particular product or business.
- Can I edit or delete my review once it has been published?
No, once a review has been posted it cannot be deleted or edited. So please read over your review carefully before clicking the Submit button.
- What are review requests?
The Review Request feature allows members to request new or additional reviews for a specific product or business. The request then becomes visible to all the other members who can respond accordingly.
- What are comments?
You will have the option of posting remarks or comments for any review posted on the site. You can add a comment to show agreement, appreciation or disagreement, or you can simply include additional information.
- Is it ok to accept payment in exchange for my review?
We want your honest and unbiased opinions, which can be quite awkward to give if you accept money for them. So no, it’s not really ethical to accept payment. However, we will from time to time incentivize our members with awards for achieving certain milestones.
- Is there anything I cannot write in a review
Basically, reviews should not contain HTML tags, personal information, advertising material, pricing, or any profane, inappropriate or copyrighted comments. For complete information on this please refer to our Terms of Service.
Membership & Profile
- How do I verify my MasalaMinds account?
Once you sign up, you will receive an email with a special link. You will need to click that link to verify your account.
- How can I edit my profile?
To edit your profile or change your account preferences, log in and click on My Account. You will then be able to edit your account information and preferences.
- How can I view all the reviews I’ve written?
You can view them on your profile page under the Reviews Written tab.
- How can I change my password?
Your password can be changed on your profile page. Select the Edit Profile button then go to the Change Password link.
- I forgot my password, how do I get a new one?
If you forget your password, go to the Login page and select the Forgot Password? link to reset it.
- I'm having problems with my profile, how can I get help?
If you're having problems with your profile, please Contact Us and we'll look into it right away. The more information you provide, the more specifically we can respond.
- How do I invite my friends to the MasalaMinds website?
Use the "Invite your friends" link from our home page and enter the email addresses of the people you'd like to invite to the website. Our Friend Look-up Tool allows you to invite friends from your email address book (Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail, Gmail, Facebook and several others are currently supported.)
- What are the different user levels and how do they work?
MasalaMinds offers four levels of membership that recognize your contributions to the site. All new members begin at the Mint level. As you write reviews, post comments on others reviews, respond to review requests from other users you’ll move up to Chili, then Sage and finally Saffron.
Saffron - The crème de la crème
Sage - The Profoundly Wise
Chili - Adds Zing Everytime
Mint - Source of Abundance
Followers and Favorites
- Who is a “follower”? Where can I see all my “followers”?
Other members can "follow" you and you can follow other reviewers by using the "Follow This Reviewer" link on the user profile page. Members receive updates about reviews posted by the members they follow. You can view a list of all members you are following as well as members who are following you in your user profile section.
- What does it mean to "follow" another reviewer?
If there is any member whose reviews you like or trust, you can become his or her follower by clicking the link on a user's profile to "Follow This Reviewer". You will receive an email whenever a member whom you follow writes a new review.
- What are Favorites?
Favorites on MasalaMinds are a way for you to mark a product or business so you can come back to it later without having to search for it again. “Add to Favorites” links are located next to the product or business and at the bottom of all reviews. Clicking on this link adds that product or business to your user profile under the “Favorites” tab.
Products and Businesses Listing
- Why should businesses add their products or businesses to MasalaMinds?
Why not? It’s a win-win situation. First, featuring your products or businesses on MasalaMinds is FREE and easy. There is no cost to you. You’ll receive unbiased feedback directly from your customers and increase awareness among your target audience resulting in new customers and increased revenue.
- How can I write a review for a product or business that I can’t find on MasalaMinds.com?
If any product or business which you want to review or need reviews for is not found on MasalaMinds, then you can simply add it yourself. Once added, you can review it just like any other item on our website. However, you can only add products and businesses that fall under our categories and subcategories.
- Can I add categories or subcategories?
No. You can only add products and businesses that fall under our existing categories. However, we are open to suggestions and you can send in a request to add a category or subcategory by emailing us at feedback@masalaminds.com or via the Contact Us link
Review Filter & Reporting Problems
- What should I do if I see some inappropriate content on the website?
You can use the "report abuse" button at the bottom of every review or picture to inform us of any inappropriate content or content in violation of our policies. We will take prompt action to remove any such content from the website immediately.
- How can I report a bug or technical problem with the website?
Please use the Contact Us form to report a bug or a problem with our website. Include as many details as possible so we can resolve the issue. Also, provide your contact information so that we can notify you once the problem is resolved.
- Are reviews ever removed?
Yes. We have an automated review filter that will remove any review using inappropriate language or profanity. Sometimes our Support team may also remove a review if it violates our Terms of Service or Content Guidelines.
Privacy
- How does MasalaMinds safeguard my personal information?
We are committed to ensuring the privacy of the information you provide. Please review our Privacy Policy for details. If you receive unwanted messages from any member, please report it by emailing us at feedback@masalaminds.com or via the Contact Us link.
- Who can view my profile?
Once you are registered on the site, your user profile will be visible to all our members. Please make sure you don’t share any personal information.
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