Every review platform has a fake-review problem. Removals companies are a favourite target because customers rarely book twice. Six tests catch almost all fakes.
Test 1 — Read the 3-star reviews first
Fakes cluster at 5 stars. Real feedback spreads. If a firm has 400 reviews all at 5 stars and none at 3 or 4, treat the profile with suspicion.
Test 2 — Look at posting velocity
Trustpilot's profile page shows the review timeline. A steady drip of reviews across years is authentic. A burst of 40 five-star reviews inside one week is almost always paid or coerced.
Test 3 — Reviewer profile
Click on the reviewer's name. Real customers have a mix of reviews over months or years. A profile with one 5-star review, posted today, no history, and no location is almost certainly fake.
Test 4 — Language patterns
Fakes use generic superlatives ("amazing service, would recommend to anyone!") without specifics. Real reviews name the crew leader, mention the actual date, describe the property, and often include one minor complaint alongside the praise.
Test 5 — Photos and receipts
Some platforms let reviewers upload photos of the crew, the lorry, or receipts. Fakes never do.
Test 6 — Cross-check with Facebook groups
Local Facebook groups ("Reading Recommendations", "Oxford Mums") are the least-gameable review source in Britain. Search the firm's name there for real, unpaid opinions from actual customers.
Our reviews
Apex has 400+ Trustpilot reviews over 6 years with a natural distribution. The 4- and 3-star reviews are still visible — because we don't hide them, we learn from them. See our local branch pages for reviews specific to your area.
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Frequently asked questions
- How can I tell if Trustpilot reviews are real?
- Click each reviewer's profile. Real customers have review history across months or years. Look for a natural spread of ratings (some 3s and 4s), specific details like crew names or dates, and steady posting velocity rather than sudden bursts.
- Do removal companies buy fake reviews?
- Some do. The most common tactic is offering a discount or free gift in exchange for a 5-star review — technically against Trustpilot rules. If a firm has 200 reviews all posted within two months, treat the profile with suspicion.
- Which review site is most reliable for removal companies?
- Google Business reviews are hardest to fake because they require a verified Google account. Trustpilot is second-best. Facebook local recommendation groups are the least-gameable source of real customer opinion.
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