Damdee
I read the reviews on Amazon before I buy something and find them helpful in general, unless they are of the type 'my niece didn't like it'. I also do reviews when I buy something for them, and try to make it a full well rounded review, often with photos.
I agree. I find the Amazon reviews useful overall (in spite of problems like some fake reviews) so I leave reviews myself.
I left one recently to let prospective buyers know about a product that had stopped working properly soon after I bought it. But I usually review things I find good and feel happy about.
On Amazon you can just leave a star rating without a review, which is quick.
What really annoys me is people who give a 5 star rating, then say, ‘Bought as a present and the person liked it.’ If you haven’t used it, you don’t know what it’s like, so please don’t leave a rating and mess up the average rating! It’s the opposite of helpful to people thinking of buying that thing.
Also, how likely is it that someone you give a present to will tell you they don’t like it?