Amazon still hasn’t fixed its problem with bait-and-switch reviews

#1

Post by Carducci » Wed, Dec 30, 2020, 2:03 PM UTC

Amazon still hasn’t fixed its problem with bait-and-switch reviews
arstechnica.com

Re: Amazon still hasn’t fixed its problem with bait-and-switch reviews

#2

Post by PaulHoule » Wed, Dec 30, 2020, 2:14 PM UTC

The worst of it is that if you report an obviously fraudulent product listing nobody at AMZN cares if you didn't buy it.

Years ago I quit buying things at staples and started buying at AMZN because staples only stocked crap brands like vtech. Now the crap product listings on AMZN really stink.

Re: Amazon still hasn’t fixed its problem with bait-and-switch reviews

#3

Post by tomrod » Wed, Dec 30, 2020, 2:31 PM UTC

Note that I am not for Section 230's removal (mostly because it makes sense to me that platforms should be able to host negative content). However, if it were removed, would that mean bogus reviews become a liability for Amazon?

Re: Amazon still hasn’t fixed its problem with bait-and-switch reviews

#4

Post by Out_of_Characte » Wed, Dec 30, 2020, 2:41 PM UTC

tomrod wrote: post #3

Note that I am not for Section 230's removal (mostly because it makes sense to me that platforms should be able to host negative content). However, if it were removed, would that mean bogus reviews become a liability for Amazon?

I would argue that reviews aren't content. a review is implicitly understood as an opinion of someone without ties to the company and of someone who actually owns or have 'reviewed' the product. In the case of amazon I think ownership of a product should be mandatory to leave a review.

Re: Amazon still hasn’t fixed its problem with bait-and-switch reviews

#5

Post by HarryHirsch » Wed, Dec 30, 2020, 2:42 PM UTC

tomrod wrote: post #3

Note that I am not for Section 230's removal (mostly because it makes sense to me that platforms should be able to host negative content). However, if it were removed, would that mean bogus reviews become a liability for Amazon?

Now you know why Section 230 has to go. Comcast, TWC & so on is just a series of pipes, but Facebook & co has editorial control or at least should have.

Re: Amazon still hasn’t fixed its problem with bait-and-switch reviews

#6

Post by learnstats2 » Wed, Dec 30, 2020, 2:43 PM UTC

tomrod wrote: post #3

Note that I am not for Section 230's removal (mostly because it makes sense to me that platforms should be able to host negative content). However, if it were removed, would that mean bogus reviews become a liability for Amazon?

Does Section 230 remove Amazon's liability for misrepresentation, in the way it promotes is reviews as being tied to a particular product?

I'm doubtful about this.

Re: Amazon still hasn’t fixed its problem with bait-and-switch reviews

#7

Post by meowzero » Wed, Dec 30, 2020, 2:47 PM UTC

This is why I use tools like fakespot and reviewmeta to make sure Amazons reviews are somewhat accurate. Sure, it's not fool proof, but these tools attempt to filter the obvious bad reviews.

Re: Amazon still hasn’t fixed its problem with bait-and-switch reviews

#8

Post by Raed667 » Wed, Dec 30, 2020, 2:48 PM UTC

From the article listed (a toy drone) [1], reviews range from talking about car oil, stickers for kids, a plaque for finishing a race, honey, something about horses (?)..

What is this mess !? And how is this not Amazon's top priority?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P14T1Z2

Re: Amazon still hasn’t fixed its problem with bait-and-switch reviews

#9

Post by paulryanrogers » Wed, Dec 30, 2020, 2:49 PM UTC

Out_of_Characte wrote: post #4

tomrod wrote: post #3

Note that I am not for Section 230's removal (mostly because it makes sense to me that platforms should be able to host negative content). However, if it were removed, would that mean bogus reviews become a liability for Amazon?

I would argue that reviews aren't content. a review is implicitly understood as an opinion of someone without ties to the company and of someone who actually owns or have 'reviewed' the product. In the case of amazon I think ownership of a product should be mandatory to leave a review.

While this can help the seller can so radically change the listing that it doesn't always stop review hijacking. As I understand it they sell something simple and cheap then repurpose the listing for something else entirely.

Re: Amazon still hasn’t fixed its problem with bait-and-switch reviews

#10

Post by freeAgent » Wed, Dec 30, 2020, 2:50 PM UTC

PaulHoule wrote: post #2

The worst of it is that if you report an obviously fraudulent product listing nobody at AMZN cares if you didn't buy it. Years ago I quit buying things at staples and started buying at AMZN because staples only stocked crap brands like vtech. Now the crap product listings on AMZN really stink.

They don’t care even if you DID buy it. I once reordered some toothbrush heads that I liked only to find a completely different, inferior product. It turned out that the product page had been completely redone since my initial order, but it kept all the old reviews. I reported it to Amazon and they did nothing for months. I think the page changed yet again and was no longer even selling toothbrush heads while still keeping the old reviews. After I reported it a few ore times Amazon finally removed the old reviews.