On line reviews

I take most reviews with a pinch of salt. Some companies pay for them, and you can usually tell which are not genuine. I read reviews, but most of the time I just trust to luck and my own judgement.

I buy a lot from Amazon and on the whole I find the reviews very helpful. One item I fancied buying was apparently excellent but needed a change of battery each time it was used so that could mount up financially.

My last was an alarm clock, the alarm would waken the dead but that is what I wanted. I stated on my review that it was exceptionally loud and the clock face very bright but it was almost impossible to turn off the snooze alarm.

I feel that one has to read a few reviews to get a balanced opinion. If the same problem keeps cropping up, eg frequency of battery change, one has to think again.

Sometimes there is a note at the end of a review to say that they received the thing at a discount for an honest(?) review, but many of them do sound as though they work for the sellers.

The other side of online reviews is how many reviewers have obviously never used the thing they are reviewing in their lives. There are complaints about features that no-one has ever claimed that it has, and some people don't seem to have even found the on/off switch. A surprising number say that "You should have bought the XXXX, made by ZZZZ, from YYYY website at £XX.XX, on offer this week. It is the most perfect invention ever created" - so why were reviewing something different? Could it be that they are selling the XXXX themselves?

Yes, I always read the reviews and sometimes leave them too. Over time you get to recognise what's genuine and what's a paid for/mate's review. Tripadvisor is particularly addictive useful, and often hilarious. Some people will complain about anything! I sometimes think I spend longer checking out and planning a holiday than I spend actually there....

I always read reviews but take them with a pinch of salt.

I remember these reviews appearing on GN in the past, but they might amuse some of you who haven't read them.
www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/hilarious-reviews-mens-hair-removal-5859175

When I was checking out Center Parcs recently, one reviewer was earnestly warning that one particular lodge was haunted. It was very entertaining (I didn't pick that one though, just in case ).

I read and consider online reviews a lot before buying but sometimes think they're not actually saying anything useful. Argos reviews seem worthwhile reading and Trip Advisor - ha ha - maggiemaybe - me too - I love all the room advice and drive myself nuts with it! M&S - yes - has useful size info as does Clarks shoes if buying online.

Depends on the company really. I have my favourites which are always helpful but ignore others. I write the odd review too.

I usually read reviews, reading a lot so hopefully getting a balanced view. The ones I find annoying are their reviews saying " Can't give an opinion as I haven't used it yet".
On a slightly different angle I keep getting emails (about six so far)from an Amazon company about a negative review on their product asking me to contact them and discuss it with the possibility of a refund. I haven't replied. Is it a scam to get my payment details? Or is the refund dependant on removing the negative review? I want my review to stand to help others so am ignoring the emails.

I'd be tempted to ignore it as well, Nandalot. I only review items that are really good or really bad, so I'd want a bad review to stand as a warning to others, whether I'd had a refund or not. I doubt it's a scam, but who knows these days?

I do write reviews, for most it's simply to say the product was what I expected and the delivery was good and on time. That's just to stop them prompting me. If there was a problem with the transaction I would be honest.
If there is a point in going into more detail then I do in the hope it will help someone else and I generally trust what I read.

I may read indivisible reviews but, more usually I look at the spread of stars given.

Individual not indivisible

I tend to read reviews as a way to check sizing. I take a 5.5 shoe and sometimes can get away with a 5 but sometimes need a 6, likewise with clothes, my bottoms are usually 10-12 but I sometimes need 12-14 tops. Sizing reviews can be very helpful.

I leave reviews when I buy something & no-one has ever offered me a discount.I would say if I wasn't happy with an item. I usually wait until I have used it/worn it a few times though. It is annoying that you get the request to review the day the parcel arrives!

I didn't realise that people were paid to write reviews.

When going on holiday, I always read reviews of the hotel,I am staying at, and spend far too long deciding whether it's good or bad.

Sometimes reviews are a good thing, and sometimes not.

I just ignore them, I find so many shops sizes are so different. Even m&s sizing has changed.

I read reviews before staying at a Hotel, also read on Trip Advisor, and write there as well, the reviews vary so much, not sure if I believe them all.

I read a wide range of views on say Amazon, then check it out on Gransnet! Off to buy a Gtech ram vac.

I used to be a copywriter and have written countless product information pieces for items I have never even laid eyes on but I have only ever written a couple of reviews - the reason for this is because reputable companies keep an eye on the IP addresses of where the reviews come from and won't accept any reviews that are coming from the same computer. However, large copywriting companies will get a number of writers to write a couple each so it looks like they are genuine reviews. I suppose my advice would be to be wary of an item that only has glowing reviews (although that could mean that whatever you look at is genuinely amazing - so confusing!) because the majority of people only review something they want to complain about. If you do like to take reviews on board when buying something, just be aware that not all of them may be genuine.

That's really interesting. Thanks, What

Boden reviews are very helpful on fit size etc.

Last month I ordered 2 pairs of shoes from Cotton Traders. One didn't fit and the other was delayed. I wrote a review on the 1st pair basically saying I liked the shoes, but they didn't fit properly because of the design. I got an email from CT saying it would not be published because it broke the rules about reviews. I then got a 2nd email offering to pay my return P&P, telling me I should contact them before leaving a critical review.

I kept a copy of what I wrote and there was nothing wrong with my review. I will never buy from CT again and my experience shook me a little TBH.

If M&S get five stars I reject the item immediately. Their sizing is all over the place and the quality is awful. M&S is down the tubes IMO.