I just got a request from Wurkkos, so given the timing, that might be what the OP is referring to. As per my usual, I responded:
I haven’t gotten a response (it’s only been a few hours), but it’s a dive light that looks a lot like my Sofirn SD05, so I’m interested in it.
S is probably sofirn
as far as getting paid for an ‘’approved review’’, at least on amazon, you can delete or edit your review at any time…
…if you were really mad at company “S”, or whatever.
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?
Do you have a source for that?
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.
from https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201967050
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.
Whoa! Screw that.
Any comped (and often not fully, either, because I don’t have an account linked with PP, so PP takes its vig right off the top) reviews I ever did, I got the rebate or whatever it’s called right after the item shipped, or at worst shortly after it was delivered. I don’t think I ever had to wait for a review to even be posted, let alone past the return window. (That to me seems to say they’re confident enough in the product to not hold anything hostage on you.)
I understand those “review clubs” do that (waiting ’til past the return window), though. So I’d have to wonder what kind of crap is being sold that you have to be backed into a corner before getting comped.
Nah, if I posted a review, I’d expect to see the comp within a few days. If not, I’d ask about it, what’s going on, etc., and if still no joy, screw it, I’m out, I’m returning the doodad well before the window closes.
Direct from Amazon to all sellers in a “Newsletter”:
Policy Reminder: Product Packaging and Inserts
Customer reviews help customers make informed purchase decisions and are a great source of suggestions about how to improve your products. Authentic customer reviews help new customers find and evaluate your products before purchasing. We want to remind you that Amazon policies prohibit box inserts and product packaging that direct customers to write a positive review, even if no incentive is offered for the review. Similarly, directing customers to contact you instead of leaving a negative review on Amazon is also prohibited. Please ensure your product packaging and box inserts are compliant with these policies before shipping your products to a fulfillment center or to customers. If you have products that are already in fulfillment centers and are in violation of Amazon’s policies, you can create a removal order to proactively remove your inventory.
Haha you are very naive because most reviews are like that.
Yeah, but that’s buzzfeed. Not exactly a trusted source for, well, anything.
Uh, yeah, I wasn’t really asking you to send me the link I already posted. That doesn’t say that Amazon has banned free products in exchange for reviews.
Since Amazon specifically states “monetary reward,” that completely leaves open the prospect of in-kind rewards like free merchandise.
So, once again, do you have an Amazon source that says giving away merchandise for reviews is banned?
Are we talking about the same thing? If there’s something in there that bans sending free merchandise to reviewers, I don’t see it.
I have been asked by Sofirn if I would like to review their products in exchange for a refund and I have taken them up on it a few times.
I have shared my thoughts on those lights, pros and cons, on this forum and even heard back from Sofirn about possible upgrades on newer versions of their lights (better switch, faster ramping, different UI, etc.). I wouldn’t review a product that I wouldn’t normally use and I wouldn’t review a product that is obviously not what they claim it to be. I’ve bought a number of Sofirn lights on my own and would do so again. That’s why I was happy to share my thoughts. I also have made sure to state that I was gifted the light so there is no confusion.
I don’t really have a problem with it as long as I’m not being asked to write anything that I’m not comfortable with or if the refund was dependent on a stellar review. I can see that someone may be a bit over-generous if the light was a gift and if they might like to keep receiving more lights though.
’oogled that question for you.
https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/help/external/G201972160
Commas and bold font added for readability.
That does cover it. Odd that the information to buyers appears to be much more lenient.
As a buyer, I don’t think I’m violating the terms as Amazon specifies them to me. The seller clearly is.
You’re not a buyer if you don’t pay for the thing you receive.
You’re not a buyer if you have a deal that you will pay and be reimbursed the money you paid.
https://sellercentral.amazon.com/forums/t/refunds-for-product-reviews/6558
Then there’s even less contractual incentive to be bound by the TOS.
And Thorfire (I think, mighta been Sofirn) just gave me a discount code for 90% off once. Pretty sure I was the buyer in that case.
What about vipons, then? If I buy a powerbank for 10bux that costs 30, and review it, is that a nono?
If so, I’m wondering what’s the diff between vipon giving me a coupon vs the seller for the same percentage/amount.
Hell, I’ve even explicitly mentioned in reviews getting/using a vipon to get the goodies, never suffered any blowback.
I ’oogled your question. Among the hits resulting, this looked relevant:
https://www.frugalforless.com/10-amazon-review-sites-that-will-get-you-free-amazon-products/
Looks like Vipon started off as an Amazon review mill. Perhaps it still is, basically they’re basing their reputation on yours for honest reviews.
I’d think both Amazon’s and the FTC’s rules would apply, since Vipon is just doing a man-in-the-middle job between you and Amazon’s sellers.