PAID VENDER REVIEWS?

[GB EB]

I've taken delivery of a couple of products that included with the order notes to this affect: "Submit a positive review and get a $10 credit toward your next purchase." or something very similar.

I've seen some positive comments for these vendors on this forum. It makes me wonder if some of these reviews are not so genuine.

I've posted many positive reviews for vendors that earned it and never received any compensation (coupon or other).

I've posted several negative vendor reviews (some of which are offering "coupons" for positive reviews) and have been contacted by them wanting to know why I am "bashing" them. I explain I'm not bashing them, just sharing my personal experience about my dealings with them, which happens to be negative in nature. (No, they didn't offer me a "coupon" for my review. LOL)

What's my point? When you are checking out a vendor and notice as many or more negative reviews as you see positive take it for what it's worth. It's much more likely the negative reviews are from the heart.


Does my cynicism make me a bad person?

Let the flames begin.

[The Stig]

[MarylandSpeed]

I have suspected some places do this..but never have seen proof. Really, there should be a rule against this...or auto ban if caught doing it. We have told people to leave us good feedback if they are happy..however I have never offered to pay for it. The truth is..in a normal retail environment..an unhappy customer is 100x more likely to tell someone about it than someone who is happy.

That said, in all honesty, some of my best, and happiest customers are people who had issues with their order we corrected. Most of the time it is not that you made the mistake..it is how you handle correcting it that matters. If you run your business right..even if you make mistakes, you should not have to pay people off to say good things.

[Apex Motorsports]

Very interesting post. And a big +1 to Maryland Speed. We have run contests to encourage customers to leave product reviews on our website, but if you are having to pay people to say good things about their experience with your company then that should tell you something.

[JWMotoring]

Originally Posted by Apex Chase

Very interesting post. And a big +1 to Maryland Speed. We have run contests to encourage customers to leave product reviews on our website, but if you are having to pay people to say good things about their experience with your company then that should tell you something.

Not something I would do personally.

[01pewterz28]

Sad but like everything $$$$ is King something I will never do just for a positive review.

Sean

[armysig]

I have purchased many items off of vendors on this site and never have any of them asked me to leave a feed back for them. I would say a good shop is not going to ask a customer to leave a possitive feed back and then give them a discount or monitary reward for doing so. Talk about killing a reputation if the public finds out about.

[thespymaster]

It's NO different than company's offering prizes, etc for "LIKING" thier Facebook pages.

I see nothing wrong, with "VENDOR A" soliciting his customer base to encourage FEEDBACK. If the "CUSTOMER A" was not satisfied with "VENDOR A" he's not concerned over an incentive, they will post thier negative experience.

Most people that have a positive experience, often are not compelled to share it with others....

Obviously VENDORS are making money off the Camaro5 members, yet 99% of the feedback we see; is usually NEGATIVE.

[Synner]

If I had positive things to say anyways then I'd take advantage of it. But if they gave me a hard time or screwed up my order I have no shame about telling people they're morons. I sure as heck wouldn't try to get a coupon to buy something from them again.

And I agree that when something goes wrong with an order thats when you find out what kind of vendor you're dealing with. Its easy to find good prices with the internet but much tougher to find solid customer service. Thats why I laugh when I see vendors on here being rude and disrespectful to potential customers as well as other vendors. Like I really would buy something from someone after seeing them treat others like that?

[2quick]

Paying for a review just shouldn't be done. I hope that just good service is good enough to do it. If not then oh well for me. I do agree though that our best reviews come form how we handle ourselves after the sale and, not before. When you go to the dealer all salesman are your friends. When you have a problem they don't know you. At least thats my experience. I think liking someone on Facebook or such is not asking for a review but asking for a relationship. It actually helps drives us in a direction to meet what the market wants.

[GB EB]

Originally Posted by thespymaster

It's NO different than company's offering prizes, etc for "LIKING" thier Facebook pages.

I see nothing wrong, with "VENDOR A" soliciting his customer base to encourage FEEDBACK. If the "CUSTOMER A" was not satisfied with "VENDOR A" he's not concerned over an incentive, they will post thier negative experience.

Most people that have a positive experience, often are not compelled to share it with others....

Obviously VENDORS are making money off the Camaro5 members, yet 99% of the feedback we see; is usually NEGATIVE.

I disagree with the facebook "liking" part.

"Liking" on facebook is just a way for a vendor to get you on their "mailing" list so they can push their specials to you. I would never choose a vendor by how many "facebook" likes they have but I would choose a vendor by customer reviews posted on forums.


About the positive reviews.... there are a few vendors that I know don't pay for their reviews that have significantly more positive reviews than others.... maybe they just have more customers I suppose???? but then why don't they also have more negative reviews???????/


The other option is that they really are better than the others....

[MarylandSpeed]

IMO there is nothing wrong with asking a customer to leave you good feedback if they are happy, and to contact you asap if they are not. However a line is crossed when you specifically offer an incentive or discount to leave good feedback. You are then paying for a review.

This is a two way street though..I have had plenty of members beg for an additional discount by offering to pimp our company all over the forums haha.

That being said, if you look at 95% of the negative posts here, they are not because companies screwed up, or something wrong was sent. Most people understand that. Most of the posts here deal with companies not properly communicating or resolving an issue after the mistake has happened.

[patrickt]

we never ask a customer to leave good feedback let alone pay them for it because I agree with several of the other venders chiming in if you have to do this then you have a problem, and it is almost like a lose form of bribery. Even in a situation where a customer threatens to leave bad feedback all over the forum we just tell them they are more than welcome to voice there opinion on the forum. the best way to get a good repour is to provide the best customer service possible. You can not always please everyone and there is always that unreasonable person but all you can do is do your best and if you are dedicated then you will prevail

[Indpowr]

We let our product speak for itself with 100% money back guarantee. If your quality and customer service is there nothing else needs to be done IMO