Rant about Buy Sell section/review copy plz

I don't get how this can't be self-solved by the merchants. The couple of times I've ever offered a product or service geared towards this business on a forum, I've taken the initiative and contacted members who have credibility and seem to have relevant understanding of the aspect of the business addressed by that product or service, and just offered it to them free for feedback. Then (with their permission) the feedback goes in the sales thread. No review copies offered or needed, since the thread has feedback from credible sources in it.


Frank
 
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^ You are an established member. People around here don't have a problem with other members that they "know" pming them and saying hey want to try out my product? That makes sense and really would be the best thing for established members with new services to do. But most of the BST thread is new merchants from DP or wafo trying to sell services here or get a foodhold, which is fine, but we certainly don't want to start a precedent that it's ok for them to start PMing people out of the blue.
 
I am all for giving away a free review copy if it helps me get more products or services sold but I had the same person post on every single thread that I started and never bothered to leave a review even though they reviewed everything and then wanted to take advantage of me like I was retarded expecting me to do even more work for nothing.

Then when I refused they acted as though they were doing me a favor by allowing me to do work for them for FREE.

I just think it would be nice for new people to actually know who to give the reviews to so that they aren't wasted and actually get a review. I would rather have a bad review posted than feel abused just because I am new.

To those that did review certain services by me I did appreciate.
 
It's annoying seeing the same damn people asking for reviews all the time. They don't even seem like they are interested in buying the service, they just want something for free.



^ This.
Yeah, especially people who offer the same service - and ask for review copies. It makes me hesitant to offer my skills here. I don't want some douche competitor, looking to boost his itrader rating with a review - or give a tainted review, when THEY themselves have more negative comments than others who do the same service. I won't mention their name, since I'm not a complete dick.

Along those lines; while reviews are understandably beneficial...I've noticed one guy who has several itrader points for reviewing other member's work. Is this common with an itrader? My understanding is that either a trade, or exchange of goods/services for money has to take place.

If I'm checking out someone's rating, I kinda want to see if they deliver what they say they will, since I plan to do the same.

I guess that's a bit of a rant on my part also, but I agree with you on all counts Butcher. It shows an extreme disrespect to whomever is doing free work, to gain a review. At the very least, if you're not going to review the "garbage", let the person know they should seek more training - or another line of work.

"Nobody should recommend garbage, nor should someone with skill go unrecognized"
IMHopeful - 2010
 
In the end its up to you guys to let a mod know anytime a member pulls some bullshit in the BST. While we really don't give a shit what you post in the other sections we're pretty nazi when it comes to the BST because thats where people can get ripped off if things aren't moderated thoroughly. So don't be afraid to be a nark. We only want good business being conducted here so our BST will continue to have a good reputation unlike DP and some others that let anything and everythign slide.
 
It's really REALLY difficult to moderate. For all the reasons mention above and more. Even some of the high post count members are irresponsible and inconsiderate when it comes to reviews. Hopefully, as merchants, you've given these guys the benefit of the doubt and said hey, you've had my product/service for a few weeks now, mind giving it a review and post the link for them. It might just be they got busy and temp forgot. Also every service/product is different. Some I can review right away like matt's proxy scraper installation->scrape have my results instantly. Some things like a full on link wheel build could take a month or two for the process and subsequent links to start rolling in....so Merchants: don't be afraid to let the reviewer know when the review is expected, otherwise you may get one too soon and it may not be that favorable.

product placement :updown:

If it's a piece of software, you're only losing a few minutes to set people up. I'd suggest looking at threads, seeing which people have posted detailed reviews before, and PMing them before you make the thread.
 
... I've taken the initiative and contacted members who have credibility and seem to have relevant understanding of the aspect of the business addressed by that product or service, and just offered it to them free for feedback.

Honestly, PMs are probably the worst way to get in touch with people for reviews. We're so used to PM spam that most go unread.

That's a good way to *beta a product in development but you should go out of your way to make sure the person you're contacting is familiar with your screen name (post in same threads, rep, etc) ... you'll get a much better response that way.

For example: I was offered ubot via PM before the release and didn't even reply ... same with some facebook coupons and multitudes of link building threads.

_________________

This idea has it's shortcomings but what would you guys think of mods/senior members being a broker for review copies? For instance,

  • review copies are offered for a service
  • mods/seniors are picked to "broker" the review
  • mods/seniors use the review to promote some other member's site
  • reviews are left from both the mod (with wisdom) and member.
It's kind of a win/win for the vendor because they're getting 2 reviews for the price of 1. Most new members will be too shy to give honesty in a review ... or possibly don't know they got a shit product. The senior member is there just to oversee things & make sure there is value.

It's kind of a PITA for us since we've got some level of responsibility but get nothing for it, we'd be doing it solely for the betterment of the community.

That said, I do feel it's my duty to check out new vendors to make sure they're passing on good value to other WFers. I've seen tons of shit products offered at other forums and I think our SBT is the best out there because we're not known to kiss ass just because we got something for free.

Just my 2c ... I'm following this thread closely. Improving our review system benefits everyone!
 
^ That's a good idea. A lot of work for the mods/senior members though.

Also, I don't think that reviews should be allowed from people who offer the same service themselves. Seems a conflict of interest, yet I've some members do this, particularly in the Content section.
 
^ That's a good idea. A lot of work for the mods/senior members though.

+1
Also, I don't think that reviews should be allowed from people who offer the same service themselves. Seems a conflict of interest, yet I've some members do this, particularly in the Content section.

Tough to keep on top of who offers what but I get what you're saying. I see content writers asking for free articles or similar free reviews and immediately remove them from consideration as a prospective outsourcer.
 
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Since this thread got bumped again....
I'm currently proposing an idea that vendors be allowed to leave neg itrader for members who take review copies and don't follow through.

I see it as a good balancer because no vendors will give review copies to someone who has really bad itrader feedback and at the same time people might be more cautious to go spamming for review copies. It'll force them to pick n choose the ones they really will use and review instead of overdoing it, not following through and being stuck in a situation where no one wants to give them one. The same could be done for vendors who offer review copies then don't follow through with giving them. Then if they get neg itrader for it no one will want to buy the products because others will know people had a hard time getting their review copies.

The system is already there we just have to allow it in the rules.

Thoughts?
 
Since this thread got bumped again....
I'm currently proposing an idea that vendors be allowed to leave neg itrader for members who take review copies and don't follow through.

I see it as a good balancer because no vendors will give review copies to someone who has really bad itrader feedback and at the same time people might be more cautious to go spamming for review copies. It'll force them to pick n choose the ones they really will use and review instead of overdoing it, not following through and being stuck in a situation where no one wants to give them one. The same could be done for vendors who offer review copies then don't follow through with giving them. Then if they get neg itrader for it no one will want to buy the products because others will know people had a hard time getting their review copies.

The system is already there we just have to allow it in the rules.

Thoughts?

I think that's a great idea, would make folks take review copies more seriously.
 
+1


Tough to keep on top of who offers what but I get what you're saying. I see content writers asking for free articles or similar free reviews and immediately remove them from consideration as a prospective outsourcer.

I'm glad someone else notices this happening. How can you pay someone a premium if you see them asking for a free review from every new service provider on WF?

I haven't sold anything here, but honestly - if someone asks for a free review of something, particularly content - the content should be open for posting by the creator. This would eliminate people who are looking for something for nothing, or selling the product themselves.

I saw a post from a woman who gave a gazillion online references of her work and service - people still harassed her for free copies! This reeks of someone looking not to help the member establish themselves, or see what they offer, but rather to get something for free.

I'm just a newbie, but if you want to have quality service offered, you have to create a welcoming environment. Not have someone read the first few "sell threads" and get a feeling there is corruption.

This site has some of the best link building services I've seen anywhere BTW. Just so people don't think it's all about the complaints.

:love-smiley-087:
 
^^ the only prob I see in that would be people would be posting their "best of the best" in the thread, which normally isnt a problem. However, with content Id much rather get a review copy on my subject to see how they really write, flow, and research then posting something they might have an entire month on just to post it on WF.
 
Here is prime example of review copies gone bad.

HundredProof gets a review copy from another member. Then proceeds to give it away for free to try and build his standing within the community. Claim's it is not the same list as the free review copy. Is confirmed by another member that it is the same list. In an attempt not to look like a scumbag, takes down his freebie offer and tells everyone to buy from the original owner (basically admitting that the list was not his creation to begin with). To top it all off he has yet to leave a review in the seller's original thread even though he received a free review copy. Seriously? Can't even have the courtesy to give the original seller a review before jacking his shit and acting like it is your own creation?

Yeah, it was only a $2 list to begin with, but it is the principal of the whole thing. This guy should be banned in my opinion for trying to pull that shit. He could easily try to pull the same shit again, with another product, at another point in time . I was going to give the guy a content writing job but to see how shady he can act over a review copy of a $2 blog list I think I'll take my business elsewhere.
 
Here is prime example of review copies gone bad.

HundredProof gets a review copy from another member. Then proceeds to give it away for free to try and build his standing within the community. Claim's it is not the same list as the free review copy. Is confirmed by another member that it is the same list. In an attempt not to look like a scumbag, takes down his freebie offer and tells everyone to buy from the original owner (basically admitting that the list was not his creation to begin with). To top it all off he has yet to leave a review in the seller's original thread even though he received a free review copy. Seriously? Can't even have the courtesy to give the original seller a review before jacking his shit and acting like it is your own creation?

Yeah, it was only a $2 list to begin with, but it is the principal of the whole thing. This guy should be banned in my opinion for trying to pull that shit. He could easily try to pull the same shit again, with another product, at another point in time . I was going to give the guy a content writing job but to see how shady he can act over a review copy of a $2 blog list I think I'll take my business elsewhere.


Took care of it.

Like Eli said, at the end of the day all it really takes is for you guys to figure this out and point us to it. You guys are wf's best defense when it comes to this crap. We mods may have the button, but we are just a few. You guys are the communicative eyes and ears and we need you to continue to help us monitor for this bullshit.
 
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Here is prime example of review copies gone bad.

HundredProof gets a review copy from another member. Then proceeds to give it away for free to try and build his standing within the community. Claim's it is not the same list as the free review copy. Is confirmed by another member that it is the same list. In an attempt not to look like a scumbag, takes down his freebie offer and tells everyone to buy from the original owner (basically admitting that the list was not his creation to begin with). To top it all off he has yet to leave a review in the seller's original thread even though he received a free review copy. Seriously? Can't even have the courtesy to give the original seller a review before jacking his shit and acting like it is your own creation?

Yeah, it was only a $2 list to begin with, but it is the principal of the whole thing. This guy should be banned in my opinion for trying to pull that shit. He could easily try to pull the same shit again, with another product, at another point in time . I was going to give the guy a content writing job but to see how shady he can act over a review copy of a $2 blog list I think I'll take my business elsewhere.

He's the douche I've been mostly ranting about. He's been accused of being an ESL also, and at $2 per 100 he better have impeccable ratings - which he doesn't. Not only that he harasses the fuck out of people for reviews.

Kinda leads me to believe what I've suspected, after you've pointed this out, RockDiesel.

The guy is a douche, and bounces in on every sell thread demanding reviews, and putting down people who are getting paying customers (without reviews).

Thanks for confirming what I mostly knew already, it put a smile on my face. :D

Strangely enough, this is the only writing-related thread he hasn't bombed in on. Where are you douche?
 
When I ask for review copy, I typically ask for discount instead of free. That way when I can really give out honest opinion without being sorry.

What really bothers me is sometimes I would place honest review and the OP with IM me ask me to take down certain sentence because it doesn't sound good or will affect their ability to sell the service.

I am like..wtf, that's the whole point of reviewing your shit, isn't it?
 
Yea I had issues with the same person hundredproof) but never said anything. He sent me a pm wanting reviews on each service I offered.

I had offered two free posts for a couple members & when I wouldn't create multiple accounts on different sites for him & do posts on each he got made and basically said if I couldn't do them I wouldn't get work nor did I deserve a review.