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Amazon disallows pointing out paid reviews

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Re: Amazon disallows pointing out paid reviews

#401

Post by mjevans »

runawaybottle wrote: post #260
vmception wrote: post #214

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My favorite is seeing 5 star reviews that are hijacking the top to complain. I've also seen 1 star reviews that are exalting reviews. But my all time ongoing pet peeve is how recommendation engines especially on video streaming and video game series use numbers and star systems that are not based on any other human's input. Not a critic, not a user score, just an algorithm's confidence score on similarities.

The 1 star review that loves the product but hated the way it was shipped. Someone needs to write a textbook on the pathology of those people.

Shipping is part of the purchase process.

If the product is good, but the shipping is not, buyers deserve to be informed.

If there are separate reviews for the product and the shipping of a product (still tied to that product, but also the shipping carrier that was used for that order) then a split review (one for each) is legitimate. Otherwise if there's only one review spot, EVERYTHING is on the table.

Re: Amazon disallows pointing out paid reviews

#402

Post by abandonliberty »

maxk42 wrote: post #210

I'm seeing similar things everywhere. I stood in line for a food truck a couple years ago that offered a promotion "$2 off your order if you show us your 5-star review of our truck on [site]." Obviously, you have to do this before you even order your food so I was intensely put-off by this. I gave them a 5-star review with no comment, received my discount, then after I tried the food I edited the review to 1-star wit…

Users mostly rate apps when they don't work for them, so app creators are highly motivated to encourage happy users to vote. I know of one app where this was drove a 1-star difference in rating.

From there it can become quite tempting to further affect review scores.

Re: Amazon disallows pointing out paid reviews

#403

Post by ketamine__ »

greggman3 wrote: post #396
hunter2_ wrote: post #392

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not a lawyer but I think in the US, you have the right to remain silent. I don't think a law can compel anyone to publish anything. Might be the first amendment.

Yes, it's sad. I've had Yelp and AirBnB remove reviews. I don't know what to do about it. They Yelp one I can't verify the service (a dentist) didn't get better. The AirBnB one I can tell nothing was fixed because the issues are verifiable in the listing itself.

Third-party anonymous reviews. It would have to be anonymous because Airbnb bans users for reviewing outside their platform.

https://thenextweb.com/syndication/2019/02/18/how-i-got-bann...

Re: Amazon disallows pointing out paid reviews

#404

Post by abandonliberty »

mixcocam wrote: post #367
Mistletoe wrote: post #321

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Almost every single item on Amazon and everywhere else is 4.5 stars. No matter how terrible. I can see one star after one star helpful review but it will still be 4.5 stars for items that just fall apart and are obviously defective. The sellers just game the reviews until they get to that magic 4.5. Goodhart's Law: “When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure.” Luckily Amazon will take back anythi…

Returns are paid by third party sellers not by Amazon (unless it's one of the ~20% of products actually sold directly by Amazon.

The people actually gaming the reviews? Fantastic!

Re: Amazon disallows pointing out paid reviews

#405

Post by abandonliberty »

robotnikman wrote: post #164
mancerayder wrote: post #108

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wrote a negative review for glass that broke by itself in the fridge 5 times (out of 6 pieces). Amazon removed it. I asked why and was sent a link by a bot-like sender. Some months back I gave a so so review on AirBNB and had it removed. I asked why, I was sent a link and cut and pasted guidelines. Responding using Reason led to being completely ignored. Then I discovered a reddit subgroup where hosts tell each oth…

The best place to find reviews it seems is through subscription paid independent reviewers. Consumer reports is one that comes to mind (they are also non-profit), as well as rtings. If you are looking for reviews for more niche products though, your pretty much on your own when it comes to finding out if its good or not.

Unfortunately all of these become trash, in time. Too many lawyers and $s.

Re: Amazon disallows pointing out paid reviews

#407

Post by mns »

whimsicalism wrote: post #87
hbosch wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have to assume you meant the Amazon product with the url suffix "dp/B087NN41JH/". This seems to be the highest reviewed result for search term "webcam", at least on my page. Here on HN, we have a savvy audience that understands the problem on Amazon with counterfeits, fakes, and low-quality items. I don't usually have this problem myself, because I go out of my way to buy things from sellers that I recognize, such…

They won't pop back up with 12k 5 star reviews immediately? I'm honestly shocked by this comment - warning sides aside, paying for reviews should cause a ban. I am as unconvinced by this argument about "popping back" as I am by people who say that raising taxes is useless because people will just hide their money.

Well, he does have a point. I just checked amazon.de for "webcam". Holy crap, the first page is just no-name webcams that all look the same, probably built in the same 2-3 factories in the same city in China with different names on them. If you buy some JellyTech Webcam or a Webcams Webcam for Eu 20-30, what do you expect. The funny thing is, all of these have 1k+ ratings and 4,5 to 5 star reviews, while more expensive webcams from Microsoft are at 3,5-4 stars and 150 to 300 reviews.

Re: Amazon disallows pointing out paid reviews

#408

Post by vidarh »

ilamont wrote: post #16

I purchased the same webcam for my high school sophomore in September 2020, as school restarted (all online for him). The box contained a $20 "gift card" if I emailed proof of my 5-star review. It looks identical to the one I received (including the email address). Only the reward is different. I didn't try to write a review, I notified customer service in an attempt to report the seller. I documented everything incl…

Makes me feel like a chump for actually following Amazon's rules when soliciting reviews for my novel (no payment or discount of any kind is allowed in return for completing a review for most products; for books only you may provide the book itself in advance as long as there is no actual obligation to complete the review and no attempt to influence it)

Re: Amazon disallows pointing out paid reviews

#409

Post by alkonaut »

interpol_p wrote: post #333
zwily wrote: post #277

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Unfortunately, that food truck operator is a victim too. They live and die by reviews, and if everyone else does it, they have to too to survive. The whole thing is jacked up.

Asking for a review is OK. Asking for a five-star review is not I imagine that food truck operator would do a lot better by simply asking "Like or hate our food? Leave an honest review on for a discount" If their food and service is good, they'll get the positive reviews they need

I think even that is way over the line. Having to show the review means it's likely to drive the reviews up. I'd probably add a star or two because I'm afraid of conflict. And if the reviews give a discount, you encourage first time buyers to give a (made up) review before buying.

The only acceptable way to do it is "Please give us a review at [site]". No discounts or promotions.

Re: Amazon disallows pointing out paid reviews

#410

Post by alkonaut »

Rule number one of reviews: never trust them if they are on the site selling you something.

It's pretty simple. If you want a toaster, then google "Toaster X review". If all you can find is reviews on sales sites, ignore them. If you can find an in-depth review on toaster-aficionado.com with full disclosure of sponsorships etc - great.

People are just lazy to expect to see a set of stars on a product page informing them on whether a product has good quality or not. Just give up that expectation.

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