Do you check the reviews of an item before buying online? I admit that with lesser gereric online traders who handle what reviews they display ("subject to moderation" type of thing) I'm a bit dubious, but with a reputable company such as Amazon (tax issues aside) displays reviews, they're displayed immediately, so what you see is what's been posted, so if the reviews are generally poor, then I think twice about it, or positive reviews can encourage me above other similar items of similar price. However, I know there are retailers who will post their own 'Reviews' - that much is only to be expected - but it now appears that the creation of customised Reviews is starting up as a product in its own right, and Amazon appear to be trying to nip it in the bud.
Amazon sues alleged reviews-for-pay sites - CNET
Check Reviews Before You Buy?
Check Reviews Before You Buy?
FourPart;1477373 wrote: Do you check the reviews of an item before buying online? I admit that with lesser gereric online traders who handle what reviews they display ("subject to moderation" type of thing) I'm a bit dubious, but with a reputable company such as Amazon (tax issues aside) displays reviews, they're displayed immediately, so what you see is what's been posted, so if the reviews are generally poor, then I think twice about it, or positive reviews can encourage me above other similar items of similar price. However, I know there are retailers who will post their own 'Reviews' - that much is only to be expected - but it now appears that the creation of customised Reviews is starting up as a product in its own right, and Amazon appear to be trying to nip it in the bud.
Amazon sues alleged reviews-for-pay sites - CNET
I read the reviews for a lot of items and providers. I do take many of the positive reviews with a grain of salt. I look for an overall pattern in the reviews, rather than specific personal opinions.
I have been shopping online for years, and think that I can spot most of the shills.
Amazon sues alleged reviews-for-pay sites - CNET
I read the reviews for a lot of items and providers. I do take many of the positive reviews with a grain of salt. I look for an overall pattern in the reviews, rather than specific personal opinions.
I have been shopping online for years, and think that I can spot most of the shills.
The home of the soul is the Open Road.
- DH Lawrence
- DH Lawrence
Check Reviews Before You Buy?
I read reviews. Take them for what they are worth. When ask I've given feedback.
Depending on the expense or the product, I would look for more information.
Depending on the expense or the product, I would look for more information.
What happened to Kamala Harris' campaign?
She had the black vote all locked up.
She had the black vote all locked up.
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Check Reviews Before You Buy?
FourPart;1477373 wrote: Do you check the reviews of an item before buying online?
Absolutely. Online purchases or otherwise. But I read them carefully. When there are too many one-line praises for a product (written in the same style), I stay away.
Absolutely. Online purchases or otherwise. But I read them carefully. When there are too many one-line praises for a product (written in the same style), I stay away.
Check Reviews Before You Buy?
LarsMac;1477385 wrote: I read the reviews for a lot of items and providers. I do take many of the positive reviews with a grain of salt. I look for an overall pattern in the reviews, rather than specific personal opinions.
I have been shopping online for years, and think that I can spot most of the shills.
Same here. I already usually know the specifications of what I am looking for and I shop much as I would in the store, weighing price verses options and paying attention to brand names. A lot of what I buy is either electronics, which I have degrees in, movies, which I am an avid buff and know al about, or books, which I also know. So I am rarely taken by surprise. The only recent example I can think of was this:
They came in and were well-made and looked exactly like the picture. The only problem was they fit someone whose head is the size of a 15-year-old's. I gave them to my wife and she loves them. (Strangely, I neglected to tell her that I had ordered them for me... all's well that ends well!)
I usually read the most helpful review, the best review (often I suspect those are fake, you tell from the glittering generalities) and I especially pay attention to the worst review. Since I doubt that anyone would want to review their own product badly, that one is the most telling. How old was it? Was the problem fixed in later years? Did that customer have an experience that might happen to me, or were they just dissatisfied with a product for reasons that would not affect my choice?
You gotta admit, reviews are nicer than just taking your chances yourself. I figured it would only be a matter of time before review companies showed up for the party. ( Kind of like those people you deliberately don't invite to parties because of their extreme behavior or political views.) I thought about that when Sony had that big scandal about paying people to review their own movies.
I have been shopping online for years, and think that I can spot most of the shills.
Same here. I already usually know the specifications of what I am looking for and I shop much as I would in the store, weighing price verses options and paying attention to brand names. A lot of what I buy is either electronics, which I have degrees in, movies, which I am an avid buff and know al about, or books, which I also know. So I am rarely taken by surprise. The only recent example I can think of was this:
They came in and were well-made and looked exactly like the picture. The only problem was they fit someone whose head is the size of a 15-year-old's. I gave them to my wife and she loves them. (Strangely, I neglected to tell her that I had ordered them for me... all's well that ends well!)
I usually read the most helpful review, the best review (often I suspect those are fake, you tell from the glittering generalities) and I especially pay attention to the worst review. Since I doubt that anyone would want to review their own product badly, that one is the most telling. How old was it? Was the problem fixed in later years? Did that customer have an experience that might happen to me, or were they just dissatisfied with a product for reasons that would not affect my choice?
You gotta admit, reviews are nicer than just taking your chances yourself. I figured it would only be a matter of time before review companies showed up for the party. ( Kind of like those people you deliberately don't invite to parties because of their extreme behavior or political views.) I thought about that when Sony had that big scandal about paying people to review their own movies.
Check Reviews Before You Buy?
The example reviews given in the report were very plausible though.
I must admit, I tend to be swayed by Negative Reviews more than Positive ones, but I was also wondering that if there are companies that pay for Positive Reviews, if there might be some that pay for Negative Reviews for their competitors' products.
I must admit, I tend to be swayed by Negative Reviews more than Positive ones, but I was also wondering that if there are companies that pay for Positive Reviews, if there might be some that pay for Negative Reviews for their competitors' products.
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Check Reviews Before You Buy?
FourPart;1477419 wrote: ..... I was also wondering that if there are companies that pay for Positive Reviews .....
Or submit them themselves.
Or submit them themselves.
Check Reviews Before You Buy?
interesting