I asked how deep I’d need to dive, and for how long, to verify the dive light’s claim.
Let’s see what they say.
Oh, and I asked where they wanted a review to appear.
Maybe the person is reading this thread, time will tell.
ie, they might say ’ if you do not dive, then say that, but you can still review functions, quality, ui, price, reputation, waterproofness in a bathtub, etc ’
I feel the average Amazon flashlight customer could actually benefit from a BLF member review. It could help them separate the crap from the garbage. As long as the company doesn’t say it must be a 5 star.
From a “safety”(?) standpoint, there’s near-zero risk doing a review on Amazon. They screw you on the rebate, you return the item, get back your bux, and can then be free to trash the product as much as you want even out of spite. So it’d be stoopit of them to not give you that rebate or whatever.
Best, though, is to make sure that it’s something that you’d want to keep for yourself (or at least give as a gift). If it’s something you don’t want, and would likely just throw it out, you’re not doing anyone any favors by reviewing it. I got a few queries about reviewing items I had no interest in, and politely declined.
More important, though, is to try to ascertain if it’s good enough for you to be honest in your review. If it’s a “10000lm zoom AA tactical light” that looks like a mutant SK68, there’s no way you can give an honest review, let alone 5 stars. 100lm, maybe if you’re lucky, but… How can you not trash it in a review?
So assuming it looks nice, fits the description, seems honestly advertised, and is something you think you could honestly review, why not? (Repetitive word in there is “honestly”, so if there’s anything that seems deceitful, just pass, and don’t wrestle with your conscience. It ain’t worth the grief.)
One thing I’ve done in the past is to stress, “Okay, but I’ll do an honest review, is that okay?”. If you get the “No, we want 5-star!” demand, just pass. Say thanks-but-no-thanks, and don’t respond any more. Those are typically the 10000lm zoomie products, garbage, so don’t even bother.
Curious which is “brand S” everyone’s going on about, though. Ofirn? Unwayman? Treamlight? I feel so left out…
That makes sense from their point of view. The more I think about this the more annoyed I get. I guess I shouldn’t think about it.
At the same time I begin to doubt whether or not I am even going to bother giving this company any good reviews even when I am very happy with something I have spent my own money on. We’ve established that they have rather loose morals so why would I want to give a positive review, even if genuine, when I know that any other 5 star reviews on any of their other products may be bogus?
I have no problem with this idea… however… it goes against Amazon policy. The idea is a verified purchase gets more weight in the grand scheme of things.
The article that I linked to states “Amazon has banned giving away free products in exchange for reviews”.
In this case where they refund or pay you via PayPal they are circumventing Amazon so some folks will look at that as gray at worst. However violating the intent by other means is still shady.
People being are okay with this sort of thing, taking part, helps explain some of the issues we have in this country and others. Sure, if I don’t take part it may not be noticed, probably will make no difference. But for me, it is the right thing to do, or not to do. I’ve said enough.
The following are types of reviews that we don’t allow and will remove:
A review by someone who has a direct or indirect financial interest in the product.
A review by someone perceived to have a close personal relationship with the product’s owner, author, or artist.
A review by the product manufacturer, posing as an unbiased shopper.
Multiple negative reviews for the same product from one customer.
A review in exchange for monetary reward.
A review of a game in exchange for bonus in-game credits.
A negative review from a seller on a competitor’s product.
A positive review from an artist on a peer’s album in exchange for receiving a positive review from them.