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(67 Posts)
Foxygloves Thu 13-Jul-23 21:15:06

Do you read them? Do you ever write them?
I have been known to think twice about - and decide against - an item because of the reviews but I rarely write them.
However I recently bought and sent back two Seasalt tops which were lovely fabric but I felt the sleeve length (just above the elbow) was less than flattering for many women and I would have preferred a 3/4 length or even wrist length sleeve, perhaps fastening with a single button loop or some shirring which I am seeing a lot of this summer. So I said so, giving it the Seasalt equivalent of 3*.
But apparently although I was thanked politely for my comments, the feeling was that this was not “product centred” so they would not be printing it.
Hmm. Only 5* reviews perhaps? Makes me wonder how much use some reviews actually are.

Urmstongran Thu 13-Jul-23 21:20:13

I never read them nor write them.
Maybe that’s because I’m inherently lazy?
#lazygran

Plus I don’t particularly trust them.
Restaurant reviews especially. Who’s to know that rival establishments don’t get their mates to post a poor review?

BlueBelle Thu 13-Jul-23 21:28:45

Well surely sleeve length is just a personal preference and not something to criticise or praise Foxiegloves

There was nothing wrong with the item just not to your taste that is not what a review is for A review is to mention defects, poor or good service, material type praises or criticisms Delivery or package problems etc etc , not just to say the style didn’t suit me so I can understand them not printing it to be honest

Casdon Thu 13-Jul-23 21:42:16

The reviews I always read are for shoes. I’ve got a bunion on one foot only, so I have to accommodate that, and there’s a lot of variation in the depth of the toe box in footwear. The Clarks website always has really helpful comments so you know if shoes are likely to fit, which saves a lot of hassle.
I do also read reviews for hotels before I book anything, Trip Advisor reviews are good on the whole although Mr and Mrs Nothing is Right have stayed everywhere?
I only write reviews if I have an extreme positive or negative reaction to something I’ve bought or seen though, not for average things.

NotSpaghetti Thu 13-Jul-23 21:45:23

I write reviews because I want to read them.
When I do read them I often look to see what else the person has reviewed. I suppose I want a handle on who is writing.

If, for example, I'm considering a trip to a very expensive restaurant I want to read reviews by someone who has been to other similar restaurants. If my interest is in a particular area and am looking at hotels I sometimes like to know if this person is a party animal, a museums type person or a hillwalker. It's useful to also see how many stars someone gives things...
Not everything a person does/visits/eats can be 5* surely!

Oortne Thu 13-Jul-23 22:10:03

I review several products I recently purchased off Amazon. All were printed and I gave a good review. Accept one were I bought a cushion pad that I said had a hole in it. I was making a pair of cushions for a present. It wasn't printed. So the choose the nice ones I am sure.

dragonfly46 Thu 13-Jul-23 22:14:16

Yes I read reviews and write them especially if I am having work done or buying expensive items.

NotSpaghetti Thu 13-Jul-23 22:20:15

I have had "bad" reviews printed as well as good ones.

Louella12 Thu 13-Jul-23 22:29:05

The reviews for the book, How to Avoid Huge Ships, ( a maritime operations guidance book) are definitely worth reading

www.amazon.co.uk/Avoid-Huge-Ships-John-Trimmer/dp/0870334336?tag=gransnetforum-21

NotSpaghetti Thu 13-Jul-23 22:35:22

louella I've popped over to look at your suggestion via the link and just wanted to share this review found there;

Sorely Disappointed
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on 19 December 2013
As an individual plagued with chronic constipation and bowel distress for most of my adult life, I felt that my prayers had finally been answered by Captain Trimmer's bold and succinct title. You can imagine my disappointment when I realised that, once again, my dyslexia had let me down.

Germanshepherdsmum Thu 13-Jul-23 22:35:58

I occasionally read them but rarely write one. Companies that chase for reviews, often before the item has even arrived, never get one from me.

Callistemon21 Thu 13-Jul-23 23:01:34

I do read reviews and occasionally write one.

Some firms will not publish them if they are too critical about their product so if a product just has good or excellent reviews then take with a pinch of salt.

Some firms email, asking for a review about two days after the purchase, which is annoying. I ignore those.

NotSpaghetti Thu 13-Jul-23 23:03:49

Yes. You're right.
Too many (or too soon) "askings" is a no from me too!

Callistemon21 Thu 13-Jul-23 23:07:56

Louella12 thank you for the laugh!! 😂

The book won the 1992 Bookseller/Diagram Prize for Oddest Title of the Year[2] and was used to title the first compilation of prize winners, How to Avoid Huge Ships and Other Implausibly Titled Books (2008).[3] The book finished third in The Bookseller's 2008 competition for the oddest book title of all time (behind Greek Rural Postmen and Their Cancellation Numbers and People Who Don't Know They're Dead: How They Attach Themselves to Unsuspecting Bystanders and What to Do About It).

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_to_Avoid_Huge_Ships#:~:text=How%20to%20Avoid%20Huge%20Ships%20is%20a%201982%20book%20by,Met%20a%20Ship%20I%20Liked.

With that in mind I shall sail forth to bed, trying to avoid an cruise ships or tankers en route
😂

Cheeseplantmad Thu 13-Jul-23 23:30:20

BlueBelle

Well surely sleeve length is just a personal preference and not something to criticise or praise Foxiegloves

There was nothing wrong with the item just not to your taste that is not what a review is for A review is to mention defects, poor or good service, material type praises or criticisms Delivery or package problems etc etc , not just to say the style didn’t suit me so I can understand them not printing it to be honest

I’m with BlueBelle on this . Surly they would have said the length of the sleeves in the description , also you could see the sleeves by the model wearing the dress in the photo in brochure .

I find it really annoying when someone writes a review which is of no particular use / help to anyone , and your review, if it had been published, would be just that , because it’s your personal choice that you ordered it and not reading the description, it has nothing to do with the actual style of the dress .

Sago Thu 13-Jul-23 23:37:54

I love reviewing restaurants and hotels.
I rarely leave a bad review, I’m more likely to email the establishment than shame via a bad review.
I love to research every restaurant and hotel we visit and I find reviews really helpful.

Blondiescot Fri 14-Jul-23 07:04:21

NotSpaghetti

I write reviews because I want to read them.
When I do read them I often look to see what else the person has reviewed. I suppose I want a handle on who is writing.

If, for example, I'm considering a trip to a very expensive restaurant I want to read reviews by someone who has been to other similar restaurants. If my interest is in a particular area and am looking at hotels I sometimes like to know if this person is a party animal, a museums type person or a hillwalker. It's useful to also see how many stars someone gives things...
Not everything a person does/visits/eats can be 5* surely!

I do exactly the same, especially when it comes to holiday/accommodation reviews. You have to read between the lines, but you do become very good at spotting the fake reviews!

biglouis Fri 14-Jul-23 07:37:47

I buy from quite a few international auction houses and this is one of the places I do carefully read reviews. I also write reviews. When you are thousands of miles away from a company (and may have paid a lot of $$$$) you are dependent upon them for the truthfulness of their photos and descriptions and the quality of their shipping and packing services. Just as my customers are dependent upon me!

I look out for international customers claiming that items were not as described, or that they were ripped off in some way.

For that reason I almost always pay with a credit card where possible.

SecondhandRose Fri 14-Jul-23 11:44:48

I always read reviews as often they point out something I hadn’t thought of. I was thinking of buying a cheaper shower/window vac but one reviewer had said the collection tank is very small and has to be emptied a lot. Hadn’t thought of that and will be buying another Karcher instead.

NotSpaghetti Fri 14-Jul-23 11:56:05

And some reviewers obviously love the things you loathe.

" 5* - The host was very hospitable, making numerous suggestions over breakfast as to how we might spend our days and then taking a lively interest in what we had done when we saw them again ahead of our evening meal"

"The hotel had great jazz(/country and western/etc) bands every evening in the patio courtyard which we could enjoy from our little balcony (which conveniently was linked to our in-laws balcony next door)."

sandelf Fri 14-Jul-23 11:56:48

Write and read them - but will not write on Trustpilot - they want to know too much about who one is. Find people's feedback useful - always bewaring of ones that do not sound 'real'.

J52 Fri 14-Jul-23 12:02:20

I read them, often starting with the low stars. I write them for restaurants and hotels, hopefully with my honest opinion, as I think it does assist others in making choices. Although everyone should read reviews bearing in mind that they are an individual’s experiences.

sandwichgeneration Fri 14-Jul-23 12:07:20

I read them and write them. I realise that some may be made up but you can get the overall view if you read enough. John Lewis shock on TripAdviser!! Can't believe these are all made up, and some have photos to show proof.

ParlorGames Fri 14-Jul-23 12:23:48

I do read reviews. and mostly my purchases would depend on the review unless the negative review was for some ridiculous reason e.g the size of a product when this is clearly shown on the description.

I also right reviews based on my opinion of a product/venue. and the experience.

Damdee Fri 14-Jul-23 12:27:30

I read them and write them. Recently bought a Shark hand held vacuum as it had the best reviews - and it has lived up to them. Any reviews I write are always honest. I can understand why they didn't publish the OP's review - sleeve length etc is personal choice. I hate the sort of review that you find that says something like 'Granddaughter loved it' which is completely unhelpful.