How much trust do you put into product reviews and ratings?

[GeneV]

I definitely pay attention to ratings and reviews, but PAY ATTENTION is the key phrase. Like take Amazon for instance, more than once I noticed that the reviews posted were for a different product!

Another thing to pay attention to is the date of the reviews. The default how they're listed is "top reviews", as in how many people found them useful. I want to see "most recent", so always switch it to that. Sometimes product quality changes over time, and or there could be a bad batch. I just experienced this actually, bought a pair of Sketchers, received them with stains on the leather. Great reviews overall, but did notice the latest reviews had some customers complaining about receiving the shoes in same condition. I took a chance because I really wanted those shoes to replace my wornout pair, and yup sure enough. But Amazon's customer service is awesome so no worries there.

 

[Oaktree]

I definitely pay attention to ratings and reviews, but PAY ATTENTION is the key phrase. Like take Amazon for instance, more than once I noticed that the reviews posted were for a different product!

I've noticed that from time to time myself. Usually it's for a similar, but not identical product. I wonder if the seller updated the page with the new product, but the reviews were from what was there before?

 

[2manyrocks]

I was able to get the Echo PPF-225 at the $419 price from last year plus a 10% discount buying the pole saw plus a Echo arborist chainsaw from a nearby Echo dealer. I feel like the extra expense is worth getting a gas powered unit that should cut faster, cut all day and will never need a replacement battery, and the dealer had both the pole saw and the chainsaw in stock.

 

[GeneV]

I've noticed that from time to time myself. Usually it's for a similar, but not identical product. I wonder if the seller updated the page with the new product, but the reviews were from what was there before?

Nah, I've seen entirely different products being reviewed.

 

[2manyrocks]

Some of the product reviews are so bad that they do appear to have other products mixed in.

One thing that they all of them lack to my knowledge is the ability to ask questions back and forth like we do here.

And the other thing is that most of the reviews are given early in using the product. After a year of use, sometimes shortcomings become more evident or our impressions change after the honeymoon period ends.

 

[masscity]

The reviews that I find somewhat believable are the ones that are two or three paragraphs long and say what is good and bad about the product. The ones that say great product or is junk, mean nothing.

 

[orezok]

A new restaurant opened up in a town near me. They started out by telling customers that if they would provide a 5 star review, they would take 10% off their bill. Talk about crooked! Word spreads pretty quickly in a small town.

I never ate there and they are now closed.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

Here's a good one...

 

[GeneV]

Here's a good one...View attachment 787676

He read it was comfortable and thought it meant comfort food!

 

[two_bit_score]

Reviews are a scant step above spam for me.

They are a step below spam for me. Ever since companies went to entering you in a drawing for a $1,000 gift card (or whatever) for reviewing the product you just purchased and haven’t even had a chance to use yet I read them just for laughs.

Pictures submitted with the review count a little bit, not much.