I’d like to get your opinion on something guys.
Since joining the Walmart Elevenmoms, PR & marketing folks have been coming out of the woodwork offering me products to review. This has been a new phenomenon for me-I guess prior to my association with Walmart most marketers rightly assumed that a blog that pretty much tells folks “Don’t buy junk you don’t need” wasn’t a particularly good marketing bet!
I’ve refused most of them, because they have nothing to do with frugality. I did accept the offer to review rechargeable batteries (because those are frugal in the long run), the Dell Mini Computer (because they wanted a review for internal review-there was no requirement to post a review, although at $368 dollars it can be a frugal, if somewhat limited option) and to do a comparison between Jones soda’s new drinks vs Vitamin water. That last one is just because I really like Jones Soda-if I splurge for a soda, that is one of my first choices!
The reason I’m brining all this up is because I am considering starting a second blog just to do reviews. After talking to a lot of Blogger’s whose opinions I really value, I have come up with a policy that I would use for reviews-if I really like and enjoy a product, I would give the review. If I was given a product for review that I didn’t like, or else had an actual issue with, I would contact the company and let them know that I could not give a positive review. I would then leave it up to the company-either they would get no review, or I would go ahead with a less than glowing review with their knowledge. Doing this I would only be showing positive reviews, but they would always be honest reviews. I will not, at any time, destroy my credibility or go against my ethics by posting a postive review for something that I could not honestly recommend to a friend.
I’m interested to hear your input on this matter, as I really value all of you loyal readers out there. You all have been so supportive of me by reading, following and even recommending me to your friends. Thank you!
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
I don’t understand why you would only post positive reviews. If you don’t like something isn’t that information just as valuable to those who look for your opinion?
I say go for it, and I wouldn’t let the company decide good review or no review. I would far prefer honest review. You can be honest and nice while discussing the flaws in a product. Honesty is the best policy!
Chris-the simple fact of the matter is that if you frequently post bad reviews, companies stop asking you to do reviews.
Jenarow-I try always to be honest-I was just saying that if I couldn't say something nice then I wouldn't say anything at all. . . for example if I were to be given products A,B & C-Maybe I thought A was a fantastic product, B was ok–but not my absolute favorite, and C was awful. Then I'd review A & B, being careful to state in review B that certain things were not relevant to my family, or not to my personal taste but might be to someone else (assuming that is my legitimate feelings) then for product C-well, you'd never even know that I had been given it to review-I'd email the company and give them my honest feedback of the item so they could use it for internal improvement if they chose. If they emailed back and said to go ahead regardless then I would write a review.
See why this is a murky question?
You may not like what I have to say, but I think it is just as unethical to only give positive reviews. Basically you would be reducing the blog to a free advertising space, and this is not a blog I would read. If your goal is simply to get free stuff then you are doing a disservice to your readers. I think if a product is sent to you, to review, you should accurately review it, describing both its positive and negative aspects. Even a bad product will have a few good points. Having previously worked for a company that manufactured plumbing parts, I know we welcomed both positive and negative reviews. It provided important feedback to our engineers, and what may be a negative to you, may not be a negative for another customer. I would only endorse products I would buy, but I would describe any product sent to me. I would give the company a chance to respond to your negative experience with their product. They may be able to explain why it did not perform the way you expected. But when a product is sent to you to review, I think you owe it to your readers to accurately describe it.
Great input. I wanted to hear all the various veiwpoints which is why I posted the question.
I would like to clarify though that I do not propose to start posting reviews to Frugal Upstate unless I feel like they pertain to frugality (like the rechargeable batteries). I propose a separate blog that is solely for the stated purpose of reviews. So there should never be any question of this blog “being reduced to free advertising space”.
Although I can understand your feelings about the ethics, I’m not sure if I agree totally. I feel that it is very important to my personal values and ethics to always be honest in everything that I write on this blog or any other place that I write.
However, if I use something and dislike it, I’m not sure how it is **unethical** to NOT talk about it. I stated that I would provide that input back to the company so that they could use it to improve if they choose. And I’m not saying I would never say there aren’t things that I might wish were improved on a product. . .
Hi Jenn
I like the idea. I would read it. I am almost always go to certain websites I know I can count on for reviews before I make a significant purchase. I would check yours out for sure. I also think the idea of emailing the company about a negative review is a good idea because even if you don’t end up posting the negative review you are doing 2 things. You are only recommending products you believe in and even though you might not post the info the company may solicit information from you that helps them to change or improve the product in some way to make it better for consumers. Sounds like a win-win to me.
I would have to ask why are they bothering with having a frugal blog review products that are totally unrelated to the readership of this blog? Personally, I would not read a blog containing just product reviews. There is no reason for me to do so and most especially if I know it will be nothing but positive reviews. That info is not likely to be helpful to me. I would, however, enjoy reading reviews on this site for products that are pertinent or that you have personally purchased for use in your home. Just my thoughts.
Candi
Jenn from leftoverqueen has a little paragraph on her “about” page that agrees to do reviews, but she states up front that she will not review products that contain certain ingredients. Maybe you could set your parameters up front so folks will know what to expect.
Here’s a link to her so you can take a look: http://www.leftoverqueen.com/2007/06/08/contact-me
As far as the reviews themselves go, in the ones I have done, I provide the positive and the negative. People expect a well-rounded and objective look at a product, and rarely is my take on something completely black or white–I don’t completely 100% love or hate any product. I try to point out all the shades of gray, too.
Ever since I started doing reviews for Mom Central, I get about 20 "offers" a week! I turn most of those down too – I don't want my blog to become a "review" blog only (although for awhile there it seemed as though that's all it was!). I'm with you – if I can't give it at least a BALANCED review, I contact someone & say "hey, I hated your product or whatever and here's why. Do you want me to write that up or not?"
I actually have a current situation in which I gave a good review… but now that I'm attempting to deal with their "customer service", I'm retracting it and they're about to get a whippin'. They had their chances to make it right.
If you want to do a lot of reviews, then I would suggest a separate blog. If you just want to do a few, I'd just post them here where people are already familiar with you – the product gets more exposure and click-throughs that way.
xoxox
I am yet to receive I product I just hated. I also wanted to say that a positive review doesn’t always mean a glowing review. An honest review will of course include positive feedback on a feature you think could use some improvement.
So by Jenn saying she will be writing positive review, I assume she’s saying she won’t come out and just put down the product but provide positive feedback about it. but of course I can’t put words in Jenn’s mouth
If you have the time to get a second blog like this going, becausre it takes a lot of effort I say go for it!
I actually like reading positive and negative product reviews. It gives me a better understanding of products. There in most cases will always be atleast one PRO to a product even if it has a million CONS. Starting a new blog based on product reviews sounds great but I would include the not so flattering reviews also. Kind of like the little post cards you get at some stores that say “HOW ARE WE DOING?” You wouldn’t want to only leave it for great service, you would leave it for bad service also so they can change the problem and make it something better!
I don’t think a bad review is going to stop a company from sending you products to try as long as you are being truthful and honest about what you are reviewing. Good luck! I do product reviews every once in awhile on my blog but strictly because I want to… I have yet to have anyone offer me a product to review!
I agree. I think if you plan to do a lot of reviews a separate blog is the way to go, however you post so regularly that a few a month posted here wouldn’t make it a “review blog”.
I’m also one of those people who prefers to here the positive and negative things about a product. Although I assume when you say about hating a product you’re talking about something that turns out to be completely useless, falling apart as soon as you take it out of the box or arriving in a thousand pieces and virtually impossible to assemble (I hate those things) or something that just isn’t up to the task its advertised for.
It may also be a good idea to contact the company before posting a review just on the off chance you’ve been sent a faulty product. I mean we’ve all bought something like that ourselves and had to retutn it for a replacement.
And I’m not giving off, I quite like the idea of youo doing reviews.
I like the idea of having a separate blog for reviews. Then you can link to it on this blog for certain frugal items, like rechargable batteries. (I’d read that review!!! I have the hardest time keeping life in mine and have all but given up using them for toys, which is why I originally purchased them)
I like the idea of a separate blog for reviews. Either way I would follow, I like your “original” way too much to just up and leave without telling you why. I personally just split my little spot into two, because I started out to just blog my thoughts and walk with Christ, but was adding giveaways way too often, and it was not what I started out to do.
I’d love to read what you have to say. I think an honest review of something we may need or use is extremely helpful.
Thanks!
Sherry aka Sherrylinn
If you do it, I suggest going in with full disclosure for any company or product. Don’t have prejudices just because you don’t like the company. Maybe they will change your mind after your review. Having disclosure is the best way, and you should be open to everything.
When solicited, I’d ask the company what their policy on negative reviews are (by that, I’m saying a “not recommend product” versus a review where you point out the weak points of a product). If they say they’re fine with negative reviews, then you should be OK with posting one.
Honestly, there’s not much that’s being produced that’s 100% horrible. If you avoid reviewing things you don’t like out of hand (bottled water, for example), that should work out OK.
Thanks for all the great input folks-keep it coming!
Reviews are helpful to potential buyers. Before I buy anything that offers reviews of products I always read the reviews (Amazon is great on this). One review does not sway me, but if I read several reviews that all make the same critism on a particular feature that is important to me,I pay attention! This has saved me both time and money.
I would suggest that you continue to do your usual balanced reviews and retain the option not to review an given product per your own criteria.
Good luck.
Jenn, this sounds like a good policy. A separate blog would be appropriate, I think.