You are not actually paid for writing the review, @Sandy Wood . How it works is that companies that sell products on Amazon want people to try those products and leave an honest review. What they do is let you get the product for almost free so that you can try the product. Some products are actually free, some cost a dollar or two. What you get for doing it, is the product that you are trying. So, when I pay $1 for a $15 item, and just have to write a review on Amazon , it seems like a great deal to me. While this's will not put any money in your pocket, it will save you money on items that you would have to buy anyway, or might want to buy anyway.
Wow, I know some reviews can't be trusted because some people just have an axe to grind in a negative review. I really don't know what or who to trust anymore online.
I think it's definitely worth it if you have Amazon Prime or don't mind paying for the shipping. I did look into one of the products they were offering that I actually needed, but shipping was around $7.95, so I didn't go through with the purchase. I just don't have the funds right now, and I don't have Amazon Prime. If in the future I sign up for Prime, I will probably go back and sign back up for this, it seems like a great way to try new things and purchase ones you need at very low prices. I know many are struggling these days (this is totally separate from Yvonne's post, just addressing the issue of fake reviews), but despite my lack of money, there are some things I just refuse to do. Others apparently don't have those limits. I've seen people bragging about how much they've made on Fiverr and other sites from writing reviews when they've never even tried the product, writing school papers, etc. I worked my butt off in school, and earned my degrees. I don't think it's fair that others can slide by because they can afford to pay someone to do the work for them. Also, I don't have money to throw away on crappy products that I've purchased based on fake reviews, so I take exception to those types of activities.
Being paid to deceive others is not right in my book either, Diane. I have more respect for the review or poster or whatever if they state the review is paid for....being deceived is a big pet peeve of mine.
I totally agree with both of you , @Chrissy Page and @Diane Lane , about how terrible it is for people to either write fake reviews or just negatives ones for no good reason. I have actually seen where people literally copy/pasted someone else's review for a product, and that is totally disgusting ! When a company is willing to give you a product to test for free , or very cheap, and all you have to do is say why you did or did not like it, then at least you should actually do that. I have written a negative review when there was a problem with an item, and I think that a person should do that. For example, @Bobby Cole just ordered some new t-shirts, size XXX. The shirts arrived, and were really nice quality t-shirts; but they were maybe a large (at best) and NOT a XXX size. They were, however, extremely long, and probably went almost to Bobby's knees (and he is a tall man); so not any good for him at all. Maybe they will work for a summertime nightgown for me ?
But that wouldn't be a negative review, just an honest sizing one. I do read reviews mostly if something I ordered online is true to size, that's important. Of course you can return it but an extra hassle.
The sizing seems to be off quite a bit on some clothing items made in Asia. I've noticed that as well. Every time I purchase anything, i look around for measurements first. I'd definitely use them as nightgowns, or even for working in the garden in the hot summer months, if they're not too thick. i love long t-shirts for bed and wearing around the house. I've left all positive reviews so far on the Pinch Me reviews I've done, but that's because I've been pleased with the products. I've also done a few reviews elsewhere, after trying products, and haven't left a bad review yet, but would if the product or service warranted it. I've certainly griped enough on social media about my cable providers over the years, as well as other companies that don't provide good services or goods. I think people have a right to know what is going on and how a company treats customers. I would definitely want to know about that size issue, because returning items can be a real pain these days.
I've had a real problem with this, too... it's maddening. I had to start looking a lot more closely and then I started seeing the disclaimers about being given a discounted or free product for an "honest review." But then some of them started to admit that they felt pressured to write a good review if they wanted to be allowed more products... and I came away totally frustrated about not knowing if it's a real review or not.... exactly the same as not having any reviews at all. Last thing I saw like that was something with 500+ five-star reviews and when I got past all that, I started seeing the lower star reviews saying that the company was sending their product out for nearly free to harvest reviews. Unfortunately I had already ordered without seeing that... totally sucky product.
Okay, my mistake I understand how it works now. I might consider doing it that way at some point. Right now I do a lot of surveys where I am sometimes ask to try something and then give the company that made the product the review. That way if like or I did not like something for some reason my review is legit and the company has a chance to review it's product before releasing it on the market. In doing these surveys I get paid a little for being willing to do the surveys.
We just got a great 7-step water filtration system from Elite Deals. It is normally listed at about $150, but Amazon has it marked down to $50. With my Elite Deals discount, it cost me $15 ! ! Bobby has it set up in the kitchen, and it is filtering the first tank of drinking water now. The water goes through several stages of purifying, then filters through special mineral rocks to add minerals into the water, and then it is ionized to make it alkaline, and goes through a magnet as it is dispensed, so it becomes structured water, as we were talking about in the health thread. I am excited to see how it does and what the water tastes like once it has been filtered. We have a lot of chlorine and chemical stuff in most city drinking water everywhere, so this should make a lot of difference in the taste. Here is what it looks like. http://www.allhomefragrance.com/product/7719497/
I'm interested to hear how y'all like it @Yvonne Smith. The rating's not the greatest, but as we've discussed above, people are often paid to write reviews, and that goes for negative ones of competitors' products, as well as positive ones for the person/company paying the reviewers. It's disgusting that the market is so skewed these days that it's difficult to discern which are legitimate reviews and not, but such is the world of advertising, and it seems to have leaked over into many areas of our lives, not just print ads and television commercials these days. Even posts on Facebook, Twitter and elsewhere are often prompted by remuneration, so it's getting harder and harder to tell what is straight opinion/feedback versus when someone is profiting from their posts. The filter sounds interesting. I like that it adds in minerals, and I can't stand the taste/smell of chlorine in my water.
Since it was only $15, and it looks like it does about the same things as one of the other water purifiers I checked out on Youtube, I think that it should be a whole lot better than what we are drinking from the little Brita filter. The main complaints I read were about not having good directions, or assembly problems and leaking fittings. Bobby put it together with no problems, and it is slowly filtering the first tank of water through the filter. The reviews said it takes about 24 hours for the tank to fill up the first time; which is not a problem. Once it is filled up, we should have plenty of water in the tank to keep it filled enough for two people and two little dogs to have enough water to drink. When I watched the youtube video of an almost identical filter that explains how it works and all of the things it does, it looked like it should really help the water to be healthy for us to drink. This guy tends to ramble; but he does hit all of the important points.
@Yvonne Smith , the one thing I didn't hear was, do you have to replace that filter thingy, and if so, what is the cost of the replacements?
According to the information, there are several filters. One last for about 6 months, another one for a year; depending of course, on how much water you filter through it. Since this one is just being used by two people and not a whole family, the filters could last even longer. The mineral rocks have to be replaced every few years, it said. So, it would appear that I have plenty of time to watch for the filters on sale and have one in readiness for when we do have to replace it. The tank has enough water in it now to try drinking some, and the flavor is amazing....... There is no chemical smell or taste at all. I am very pleased with this, and think that it is going to be something that we will use a lot.
I want to try the Elite Deal website. I just started reviewing products for Amazon last week and wrote my first review today. At Amazon products range from free to 80 percent off. I enjoyed trying the product and writing my opinion of it. I awaiting my second product to review.