Amazon: Reviews in exchange for discounted products :-(

Montana · ‎03-09-2010

I wish Amazon would not allow these types of reviews. Sometimes, most are by people who say their comments are honest even though they did not have to pay full price.

it just gives me an uneasy feeling.

MaggieMack · ‎10-01-2014

I bought some Turmeric on Amazon once and got a card with the shipment that said I could receive a free bottle if I gave a five-star review. Disgusting! Not buying that brand again.

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. - Aesop

HappyDaze · ‎06-13-2012

It has been going on for years now and Amazon is actually behind most of them since they are the ones sending people the free items so it won't be going away. I just ignore the reviews of those who get it free.

If you notice, there are quite a few items that have alot of reviews and the majority of those are from the people who got it free. The strategy behind this is to get products that aren't selling too well to get on the board with reviews because Amazon has done marketing studies and found that that products with reviews (Good or bad!) sell better than those with low to no reviews.

SusieQ_2 · ‎03-27-2012

This reminds me of Goodreads where I read that the book was given to the reader in exchange for their review. They didn't actually say it was in exchange for a good review, but I wonder how many free books are offered to people who give bad, or even honest, reviews.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not accusing Goodreads of any wrongdoing because I honestly don't know exactly how it works, but I do wonder.

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

@SusieQ_2 wrote:
This reminds me of Goodreads where I read that the book was given to the reader in exchange for their review. They didn't actually say it was in exchange for a good review, but I wonder how many free books are offered to people who give bad, or even honest, reviews.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not accusing Goodreads of any wrongdoing because I honestly don't know exactly how it works, but I do wonder.

It existed on Amazon way before they bought Goodreads. It's common knowledge on the Amazon Kindle forums that 50-80% of the book reviews are dishonest, paid for reviews, one way or another, or by family, friends and the authors themselves. Amazon publicizes that they're trying to stamp it out, but not trying very hard. They are better about non-book items.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

SusieQ_2 · ‎03-27-2012

"It existed on Amazon way before they bought Goodreads. It's common knowledge on the Amazon Kindle forums that 50-80% of the book reviews are dishonest, paid for reviews, one way or another, or by family, friends and the authors themselves. Amazon publicizes that they're trying to stamp it out, but not trying very hard. They are better about non-book items." ~ Moonchilde

Well, there you go. I'm not on the Amazon Kindle forums so that common knowledge was not common to me. The only time I even considered the reviews might be dishonest was after reading of the free books. I appreciate you taking the time to let me know.

Another new name Sue · ‎03-11-2010

I'm glad you brought this up because I've noticed it too.

I've been shopping on Amazon for a hiking stick, comparing features, reading reviews. It's just bizarre the numbers of reviews provided by people stating that they got the product at a discount and are providing an honest review.

Montana · ‎03-09-2010

Not only is this practice dishonest but it can be dangerous as well as disappointing.

Plaid Pants2 · ‎03-14-2015

I hate those "reviews" too.

The few times that I do post a review, I try to remember to say in my review that I did not get the item for free or reduced price in exchange for my review.

I don't know if that helps other fellow shoppers, or not.