Product Reviews

[susandennis]

I love product reviews. I really do. And I have come to depend on them and look for websites that have them and sometimes even not buy something when I can't find a review for it.

I know absolutely nothing about any of the reviewers. They could be lying sacks of shit who are getting paid off by the scum who make the flagrantly flawed products. But, my own anecdotal evidence says they are generally right on the money. I've purchased products and then gone back and reviewed the reviews and seen that the pros and cons listed were usually a mirror of my own experience.

Yesterday, I did find a clock radio that looked interesting but two reviews noted that it was seriously flawed. So I passed. And I'm really grateful to those reviewers. I need to remember to go back and add some reviews of stuff I have bought.

One website I buy way too much stuff from is eBags. They have a wonderful trick. After you purchase something, they send you an email with a directly link and tell you that if you will write a short review, they will give you 20% off your next purchase. What they don't tell you is that you don't even have to wait for the email. You can go there, click on one link to get all your purchases and beside each one - if you haven't reviewed it yet - there's a link to review. After every review, you can chose to use your 20% off now, or have them email you a coupon.

This is like free shipping to me. It's the perfect way to get even more of my money and make me happy about spending it.

And, a few weeks ago, I got an email from someone asking me about one of the bags I reviewed. She had a perfectly good question and I was delighted to answer her. Even after more than a decade, I am still struck about a dozen times a day, by how much better, more fun, richer and more profitable my life is because of the internet. I am so glad I didn't miss this.

Comments

[judith.livejournal.com]

I always go looking for reviews when I want to buy something that is more expensive than my usual purchases. Or when I just want to be sure a thing actually works.

One place I like is consumersearch.com. This one reviews the reviewers! And makes recommendations on the top three reviewers, plus the top recommendations on products those three make. I find it very helpful.

I am less inclined to like opinions by users, because they often don't look at any of the details I need to know about. Still, I check reader reviews on Amazon and have been persuaded away and for books and CDs because of these. And if I am buying something that is not totally new on the market, epinions works well, especially for something like vacuums.

One wonders what one did before.

[susandennis]

That's a very interesting site! Thanks!

[letmesaythis.livejournal.com]

Me too!