[seeker1950]

I shop on Amazon. Until this past year, I had relied on reviews to choose to make purchases. I am sad and perplexed because this is no longer a reliable means of shopping. People are actually PAID to post false 5 star reviews. I've read that there are online companies who hire people to write these bogus reviews. This not only applies to books, but almost all types of inventory online. I've bought some things that are absolutely horrendous or useless due to past reliance on the positive reviews. Recently, I've just gone to the bad reviews to see what kind of problems/complaints people have.
Has anyone else noticed or encountered this?
Patty

no.

i've only just started to review on amazon.. in fact- i think i've only got 1 review.

really need to do more

I've suspected that happens but never tried to prove it. I would imagine it happens on many shopping and review sites...CNET (cough) A couple of unsolicited tips: click on reviewers other reviews....try not to DL anything directly from CNET

[Timgt5]

It goes both ways, there are "troll" reviews too, people who go on to make very negative comments who know nothing about the product.

You can spot those easily.

THere are some things that reviews are good for, some that are not. Consumer reports for example gives good info on cars, but their articles are not a substitute for a good test drive.

[eskielover]

I always look up general review type writeups on products from magazines & things like that where they compare technical information....not just the personal reviews on items. Can always find it on technical items...not so easy on other type items.