Customer Reviews
Oct 23, 2012 02:49:59 #
It has puzzled me for some time as to how an on-line seller can have (for example) 50 reviews with five stars, fifty reviews with one star and a hundred very short reviews with four stars, giving an average review of 3.5 stars. Then I noticed several factors:
1. The top reviews are for high-end products, with which the seller takes extreme care.
2. The hundred average reviews are boiler-plate, word-for-word with reviews from other companies - even down to misspellings.
3. The lower reviews are for less expensive pieces of equipment, unimportant to the seller.
4. There are few two and four star ratings
This whole process is a good example of how to lie with statistics. I was startled the other day to receive an offer to write reviews for products I don't even use. When I asker how I could form an opinion of something I don't use, I was told I could be provided with sample reviews and could submit the phony reviews. When I questioned the ethics of the process, I was told everybody did it. When I question of legality, I was suddenly unable to reach the research company, either by email or by phone.
I later discovered that about fifty of us who share a secondary mail server all got the same offer - and we were treated to the same type of sales presentation and ultimate responses (or lack thereof). Now, when i read reader reviews, i do so with a large grain of salt.
1. The top reviews are for high-end products, with which the seller takes extreme care.
2. The hundred average reviews are boiler-plate, word-for-word with reviews from other companies - even down to misspellings.
3. The lower reviews are for less expensive pieces of equipment, unimportant to the seller.
4. There are few two and four star ratings
This whole process is a good example of how to lie with statistics. I was startled the other day to receive an offer to write reviews for products I don't even use. When I asker how I could form an opinion of something I don't use, I was told I could be provided with sample reviews and could submit the phony reviews. When I questioned the ethics of the process, I was told everybody did it. When I question of legality, I was suddenly unable to reach the research company, either by email or by phone.
I later discovered that about fifty of us who share a secondary mail server all got the same offer - and we were treated to the same type of sales presentation and ultimate responses (or lack thereof). Now, when i read reader reviews, i do so with a large grain of salt.
Oct 23, 2012 03:34:15 #
I buy from b&h.
I read their reviews.
If you buy a product from them, they may send you an email to review that product. I usually read the negative reviews to determine what the downside of the product is. Many of the reviewers give both pros and cons.
As far as I know b&h only asks people to review products they have purchased.
I don't use review sites at all!
I read their reviews.
If you buy a product from them, they may send you an email to review that product. I usually read the negative reviews to determine what the downside of the product is. Many of the reviewers give both pros and cons.
As far as I know b&h only asks people to review products they have purchased.
I don't use review sites at all!
Oct 24, 2012 08:43:24 #
Yes, reviews are confusing. I just purchased a Panasonic DMC ZS20. Typically the reviews say the photos are soft compared to say Canon for twice the price. Downloading the full file photos, I am mystified by their comments! It is not a DSLR, it is Daranger concealed on my body, ready to shoot in 2 seconds! If I find it "soft" then I can use software, PSP, PS to tighten the edges and detail. But comparing the side by side Canon competition, I do not see the Canon as superior. I have seen conclusions in reviews that go against every thing said within the review details! Perhaps it is hard to say that your conclusion is up stream, against the majority flow.
In a forum about the ZS20 one person complained that his older camera was better. The overwhelming opinion was that he has a dud, a lemon, and should return and exchange.
His one star review alerted me that there should be a simple home test photo to compare a new camera to... that is to say.. photograph of a common item, say a Morton's Salt at 10' and 50 ' with telephoto full. The container is high contrast, has printing, etc... Simple question: is the camera I get within the +/- of good production. How will I know? Suggestions welcome.
In a forum about the ZS20 one person complained that his older camera was better. The overwhelming opinion was that he has a dud, a lemon, and should return and exchange.
His one star review alerted me that there should be a simple home test photo to compare a new camera to... that is to say.. photograph of a common item, say a Morton's Salt at 10' and 50 ' with telephoto full. The container is high contrast, has printing, etc... Simple question: is the camera I get within the +/- of good production. How will I know? Suggestions welcome.
Oct 24, 2012 09:35:48 #
I read as many reviews as I can before purchasing any piece of photographic equipment: in-depth reviews such as those from Steve Huff, Ken Rockwell or Digital Photography; product reviews at reputable on-line retailers like B&H; and even Consumer Reports reviews when available and applicable. In fact, I have these and many more review sites bookmarked. In the end, however, reviews must be considered in terms of your own preferences. For example, after reading every review I could find on the subject, I recently purchased a Fujifilm X-pro 1, which I love. Although it was universally--and legitimately--panned for its slow autofocus, the fact is I really don't need or care about nano-second focusing speed. So while the criticism was warranted, it was irrelevant to me. For reviews to matter, you have to be clear about what's important to you. Seems like a simple enough idea, but you'd be amazed at how many people don't get it.
Oct 24, 2012 10:31:52 #
dixiemegapixel
Loc: Salemburg, NC
I recently read a story concerning an individual who received megabucks for wholesale reviews of products about which he knew nothing. He was unabashed about his cookie cutter approach, laughing all the way to the bank.
Oct 25, 2012 14:08:11 #
Oct 25, 2012 17:09:17 #
msettanni thank you for the suggestion to look at owner reviews. I went to B&H to read the owner evaluations on the Panasonic DMC ZS20;almost all of the reviews were positive to superlative. I also focused on the ones that were negative. Generally, they were based on out of spec camera or unrealistic expectations. Glad they were so positive, too late to change my mind the new cameras has already shipped.
Today I got my recently purchased a junk Panasonic TZ-1 purely to prelim with making an IR mod of the TZ3 used all these years.... forget it there is vast number of screws in this beast, TZ1, may be more and more complicated things in the TZ3.
As a result of this $15 investment, I will be satisfied with my Canon G2 camera that I IR modified 4 years ago. My Pan DMC TZ3 will find a new home. After 7 years of faithful service I had a talk with TZ3 and explained that she will be retired and loved by another. Difficult for me to realize that the ZS20 can be so much better as indicated by the specifications and reviews. Strange how we get attached to our equipment when it has been such a long term friend. They all have personality.
Today I got my recently purchased a junk Panasonic TZ-1 purely to prelim with making an IR mod of the TZ3 used all these years.... forget it there is vast number of screws in this beast, TZ1, may be more and more complicated things in the TZ3.
As a result of this $15 investment, I will be satisfied with my Canon G2 camera that I IR modified 4 years ago. My Pan DMC TZ3 will find a new home. After 7 years of faithful service I had a talk with TZ3 and explained that she will be retired and loved by another. Difficult for me to realize that the ZS20 can be so much better as indicated by the specifications and reviews. Strange how we get attached to our equipment when it has been such a long term friend. They all have personality.
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