Amazon Vine reviews - ugh

[Andrewteee]

I just stumbled on a new Amazon.com feature that I don't like. It's called the Vine program and through it a select group of Amazon customers receive free products in exchange for reviews of them. I discovered today that the Ricoh GRD3 suddenly had a bunch of new reviews and it was because of this new review program. In my opinion most of the reviews were either superficial or from people unfamiliar with Ricohs. As you might guess the reviews were mostly positive, but that's not the point. My concern is that these Vine reviews will water down the Amazon reviews and discredit them. I emailed Amazon to let them know how I felt.

7 of the 11 Rioch GRD3 reviews were Vine reviews posted only in the past few days. One guy simply cut/pasted the product spec literature, another said that "artists should look for more sophisticated models" (he's never heard of Daido!), and here's another full review: This camera is the best camera i have ever had.It takes beautiful pictures.For a single lens camera it does great.I recommend it very highly.

I really dislike this new Amazon feature.

 

[JJJRRR768]

How can I get on the list, but I hear you, people reviewing things they just want for free and do not take the time to learn the way around them.

 

[softskiller]

I just hate that vine review program.

The reviews are so biased and no metter if DSLR or hairclipper tested, the products get 5 stars most of the time cause non of the gifted reviewers want to not qualify with bad reviews for future gifts like cams or tvs.

It's just not the same if you buy something for 500 dollar or just get it for free for a happy thankful review.

 

[Harold66]

Andrew

This is an interesting point and i Kind of agree with you but I also think that nobody in his right mind should expect much from these silly reviews

Let's face it : most reviews on the net are garbage . These include Cnet and the so called photographers blog first impressions

Let me put it this way : I cannot think of 10 Places that I would consider worthwile for camera reviews on the net , and probably only 5 for the Ricoh G stuff

Plus i think people have to face the fact that a commercial review site ( meaning one that makes a regular income)cannot be completely unbiased if financed by advertising.

This is true of a newspaper and there is no reason to think that the same logic does not apply here

How many places do YOU trust ?
Harold
--
http://www.harold-glit.com
http://www.modelmayhem.com/haroldglit

 

[Andrewteee]

Harold, I entirely agree. But in general my experience with most Amazon.com customer reviewers has been very good. These "paid" vine reviews are a different matter; I find them deceiving or at least completely unreliable.

I still find it strange that the Ricoh GRD3 was offered to people to review when Ricoh has such a small presence in the US and doesn't seem to care much for getting a wider audience. It is a niche product and remains such. It's not as if these vine reviews will suddenly convince millions of Americans to buy an expensive fixed focal length compact.

BTW the only review I trust is my own : ) But Reid Reviews are very good, partly because I understand his biases. The other reviews I like are those by photographers, either commercial or serious amateurs, who "review" camera gear in the context of their own work and style. IE how it works for their own needs and wants. But those reviews are often stumbled upon and can be hard to find (think page 9 of Google search results; few people ever get past page 1).

I find the first impression reviews silly but entertaining.

 

[VLampa]

I'd just like to add that it's not only Vine reviews that hurt the veracity of Amazon customer reviews. Some companies have been found out to hire people to make fake glowing reviews: http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/

Even company bosses themselves have been devious: http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/05/wetab-boss-helmut-hoffer-caught-posting-five-star-amazon-reviews/

Just goes to show how desperate some companies are in trying to get customers to buy their stuff instead of just making a darn good product in the first place.