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Judge, Jury, Executioner! -WSO Reviews???

by art72
26 replies
Fellow Warriors,

I have received a few random offers to review WSO's and in the beginning, I really didn't know that much, so naturally, I tended to give a positive review based on having my eyes opened to the different methods or strategies the creator was sharing.

Mind you, the few that I have done, I can say they were all pretty good.

However, when a fellow Warrior contacts you, and you respect the ethics of that person based on their contributions in the forum, and just their over-all persona... only to find their product puts you in an awkward position; What do you do? :confused:

I personally believe in honesty expressing oneself, as opposed to 'flattering' someone, and misleading them to think they hit the "grand slam".

It seems this would be the most beneficial approach to the creator, and to those interested enough to consider purchasing, right?

But Am I wrong?

Cause truth is, I actually feel bad for being honest... and hesitated hitting the send button, which I basically gave my feedback as politely as possible, but expressed I would not be able to support the project in it's current state.

This happened one other time, and I just ignored giving a response at all. Somehow, I feel responding honestly will offer greater benefit to everyone, and showed a greater respect I had for the individuals efforts.

Might I add, I am currently working on a project myself, and when it's ready, I personally would prefer 'raw' constructive criticism and brutal honesty, over 'flattery" any day.

That said, creating ones 1st WSO/product to me... holds an ample amount of pressure, as the last thing one wants is to hear negative feedback, and I don't want to detract from someone who is actually taking action!

Your thoughts on this issue?

All the Best,

Art
#executioner #judge #jury #reviews #wso
  • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
    I either post my concerns to them, or I don't provide the testimonial.
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  • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
    I protect my reputation ruthlessly and prefer to give and
    receive balanced, honest feedback.

    If you don't give complete feedback, then the product
    owner doesn't benefit and neither do the future customers.

    I had a mentor years ago who had a very useful saying...

    "If you say YES to everything, then what's your NO worth?"

    Similarly if you don't speak out when a product is NOT up to
    scratch, then your whole-hearted recommendations won't
    hold much weight either.

    Say what you mean, and mean what you say is the best
    policy and then everyone knows where you really stand.

    Dedicated to mutual success,

    Shaun
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    • Profile picture of the author J Cohen
      Originally Posted by Shaun OReilly View Post

      I protect my reputation ruthlessly and prefer to give and
      receive balanced, honest feedback.

      If you don't give complete feedback, then the product
      owner doesn't benefit and neither do the future customers.

      I had a mentor years ago who had a very useful saying...

      "If you say YES to everything, then what's your NO worth?"

      Similarly if you don't speak out when a product is NOT up to
      scratch, then your whole-hearted recommendations won't
      hold much weight either.

      Say what you mean, and mean what you say is the best
      policy and then everyone knows where you really stand.

      Dedicated to mutual success,

      Shaun
      Hi Shaun

      Love your honest reply and I totally agree your recommendations will carry much more weight if your speak out about the sub standard products.

      Jay
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        I get occasional review requests and I almost always politely decline. My schedule is busy but more importantly I don't think a review is worth squat unless the product is thoroughly evaluated and possibly tested. I know I don't have time to devote to that.

        It doesn't really matter if an experienced member here makes money with a new product...what matters is whether YOU know enough to use the product profitably.

        Sellers should focus on finding people who work in the same area of IM their product focuses on - then reviews might make some sense.

        I saw a post a while back where a member said he gets "sometimes a dozen requests for reviews a day" - and to that I say "balderdash". There seems to be as much ego in being asked to review as in launching a product.:p

        kay
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        • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
          I do get occasional requests for reviews/testimonials, and here's the short version...

          > If I agree, you get my honest feedback even if it bruises your ego.

          > I don't "give" testimonials. The products/and services which get them from me have "earned" them.
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        • Profile picture of the author manny2513
          Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

          I get occasional review requests and I almost always politely decline. My schedule is busy but more importantly I don't think a review is worth squat unless the product is thoroughly evaluated and possibly tested. I know I don't have time to devote to that.

          It doesn't really matter if an experienced member here makes money with a new product...what matters is whether YOU know enough to use the product profitably.

          Sellers should focus on finding people who work in the same area of IM their product focuses on - then reviews might make some sense.

          I saw a post a while back where a member said he gets "sometimes a dozen requests for reviews a day" - and to that I say "balderdash". There seems to be as much ego in being asked to review as in launching a product.:p

          kay
          I can't agree more with this. It seems that sellers a few days prior launching their products they just search for members with lots of post count. I rather see a review from somebody with 15 posts but that in their review state that they actually used the product and share his personal experiences with the product than seeing somebody with lots of posts talking about it when the whole board knows that is not the area of expertise of that member. Actually from the customer stand point I never pay attention to reviews coming from people who got it free in exchange of the review. I jump straight to customer reviews as customers doesn't have the feeling that they have to talk good about it they will say Yes It works thanks a lot or No it doesn't work requested refund and those are the reviews I look for when reading a sales pitch.

          Manny
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by art72 View Post

    What do you do? :confused:
    Unless it's someone I know, or a product in which I have a specific interest, I politely decline, sometimes even explaining that in my opinion "review comments" mean much more if they come from people who've bought the product than people who've been offered "a freebie for a testimonial", and sometimes referring the vendor to this thread.

    I get one or two per day of these requests, sometimes from people with, for example, a new Wordpress plug-in (but I don't use Wordpress, so I can hardly "review" those!) ... but we all know this is often because someone has seen a post and thought "Ooh, this chick's made about 12,000 posts and must know everyone, I bet a testimonial from her would look good".

    That said, of course, there's a difference between someone wanting a "testimonial comment" and someone who simply wants to know for their own purposes what you think of their product. And in my case, there's a difference between an article marketing product ("my subject") and something technical, software, or whatever. You can always offer review comments "not to be quoted on the board", though.

    But praising something you think is poor isn't helping anyone, really, and it detracts from your own reputation.
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    • Profile picture of the author ExRat
      Hi art72,

      This happened one other time, and I just ignored giving a response at all. Somehow, I feel responding honestly will offer greater benefit to everyone, and showed a greater respect I had for the individuals efforts.
      Show them where you think it needs improvement and why. That way they know that you have looked at it and thought about your reply.

      If you express yourself in the way that you have in this post, such as telling them -

      I don't want to detract from someone who is actually taking action!
      ...then you will be doing them a great service and are being gracious with it. If they have a problem with that, they have a problem.

      Hi Kay,

      I get occasional review requests and I almost always politely decline
      Same here.
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      Roger Davis
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  • Profile picture of the author Rod Cortez
    When I do give product reviews I give honest feedback and I try to do it as constructive as possible. I generally start off with the positive aspects of the product or service and then go onto the areas that need improvement and point out any potential shortfalls.

    And if the product is complete crap I tell them so. Though I haven't had to do that in a loooong time since I only review products and services from people I know or have done business with.

    RoD
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  • Profile picture of the author rosetrees
    If I like the product or service then I'm happy to provide a positive testimonial or feedback.

    If I don't like the product then I email the author and detail my concerns.


    If the product is in an area I don't like/aren't interested in/don't know anything about then I don't accept a review copy.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    I probably turn down about 60 to 70 percent of the requests I get due to lack of interest in what it does or teaches. Of those I do look at, if it's good I'll write a review. If it's got a couple of minor problems I'll note them in my review but still recommend it.

    If it's not something I can recommend I usually don't review it publicly, but instead send the developer feedback as to why I can't recommend it. Most will use the feedback to improve the product; a few will take it personally, but if they want to make that mistake that's their choice.

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    Just when you think you've got it all figured out, someone changes the rules.

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  • Profile picture of the author mrjosco
    Wow, as a new user this is eye opening as to the ethics behind "review copies". As a consumer I would assume a review copy would be issued to someone who would provide a public, honest review of the product.

    Everyone here seems to be agreeing that they will post the review in public if it is a positive review - but if the product is substandard (in their opinion) they will do nothing and/or comment privately to the product creator.

    I suggest no one provide me with a review copy! I would be positive, constructive and objective - but I would never refrain from posting an honest review in public.

    I was under the impression that review copies were for the purpose of honest reviews. Only publishing 'good' reviews is dishonest and unethical. At least now I know to enjoy the great wealth of knowledge on this forum but never purchase an item from it.

    I am lucky I learned a lesson before thinking "wow, all positive reviews, I will give it a shot" and dropped some hard earned cash.
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    • Profile picture of the author ExRat
      Hi mrjosco,

      Originally Posted by mrjosco View Post

      I am lucky I learned a lesson before thinking "wow, all positive reviews, I will give it a shot" and dropped some hard earned cash.
      You'll also see reviews from actual buyers, many of which aren't positive. Perhaps they're worth paying most attention to? I would agree with you on some points in general though - be very careful when considering those positive reviews from people given 'review copies.'

      Everyone here seems to be agreeing that they will post the review in public if it is a positive review - but if the product is substandard (in their opinion) they will do nothing and/or comment privately to the product creator.
      That's a pretty broad brush that you're painting absolutely everyone with. Read the posts a bit more closely and you might see that you're mistaken regarding many of us. Some people don't even give out review copies and positively encourage buyers to give feedback - good or bad. Then they take the latter with grace and make good use of it.
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    • Profile picture of the author art72
      Originally Posted by mrjosco View Post

      Wow, as a new user this is eye opening as to the ethics behind "review copies". As a consumer I would assume a review copy would be issued to someone who would provide a public, honest review of the product.

      Everyone here seems to be agreeing that they will post the review in public if it is a positive review - but if the product is substandard (in their opinion) they will do nothing and/or comment privately to the product creator.

      I suggest no one provide me with a review copy! I would be positive, constructive and objective - but I would never refrain from posting an honest review in public.

      I was under the impression that review copies were for the purpose of honest reviews. Only publishing 'good' reviews is dishonest and unethical. At least now I know to enjoy the great wealth of knowledge on this forum but never purchase an item from it.

      I am lucky I learned a lesson before thinking "wow, all positive reviews, I will give it a shot" and dropped some hard earned cash.
      While your above post definitely validates some of my reasoning in starting this thread, it too should not be used to assume that all products themselves are necessarily dishonest or unethical for purchase.

      Truth is, of the 10 or so WSO's that I have personally bought, and of the few I did review, most of them have usually over-delivered value for a fraction of the costs, as WSO's are designed to do.

      So buy no means did I intend for this to turn into an anti-WSO thread, or imply that all the products here are lesser than their value based solely on bias reviewers.

      I did what I felt would benefit everyone, the creator, the end user, and even myself; to preserve the integrity of the warrior special offers.

      If I recall there are 'some limitations' on 'what is considered' ethical or acceptable on providing negative feedback here, but I have witnessed the mods "booting the scammers out" quick, who prey on the unsuspecting, and do not deliver on their products.

      That was NOT the case with this person or their product!

      Thanks for all who responded, I feel to have been fair with my assessment, and hopefully the person gains from it.

      Art
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Originally Posted by mrjosco View Post

      Everyone here seems to be agreeing that they will post the review in public if it is a positive review - but if the product is substandard (in their opinion) they will do nothing and/or comment privately to the product creator.
      Maybe I should not have taken the short way home...

      If I agree to 'review' a product, I'm not guaranteeing a public review. I'm offering feedback, pure and simple. I do not trade my name for a free product, period.

      If someone insists on a public review, they get what they get, praise, scorn or otherwise. This is agreed in advance, or I don't look at the product.

      If you read a positive review under my name, the product earned it. If it's the result of a free review copy, that's plainly stated.

      On the other hand, most of my reviews are pre-release, and several people have made positive changes to products based on the private feedback given by me and others. Posting a public review in this case would be much like writing a movie review from the raw footage...
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    • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
      Originally Posted by mrjosco View Post

      Wow, as a new user this is eye opening as to the ethics behind "review copies". As a consumer I would assume a review copy would be issued to someone who would provide a public, honest review of the product.

      Everyone here seems to be agreeing that they will post the review in public if it is a positive review - but if the product is substandard (in their opinion) they will do nothing and/or comment privately to the product creator.

      I suggest no one provide me with a review copy! I would be positive, constructive and objective - but I would never refrain from posting an honest review in public.

      I was under the impression that review copies were for the purpose of honest reviews. Only publishing 'good' reviews is dishonest and unethical. At least now I know to enjoy the great wealth of knowledge on this forum but never purchase an item from it.

      I am lucky I learned a lesson before thinking "wow, all positive reviews, I will give it a shot" and dropped some hard earned cash.
      As a new user, perhaps you shouldn't be so quick to judge people negatively.

      Some of us make decisions based on what we feel is the highest good. Helping someone make their product better helps them and their customers, now and in the future.

      Many times the review requests are asked for before the WSO is submitted, precisely so the product owner can get feedback before going live. That's being responsible.

      Most issues aren't black and white. Your high road is paved with faulty assumptions.

      PS - When you buy something in the WSO forum you're buying from an individual, not the forum. Do your due diligence on the seller and you won't need to concern yourself with the reviews.
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Webb
    If your WSO is helping people achieve their goals, it shouldn't be hard to ask for a testimonial - i.e encourage feedback from buyers, stay in touch with the action takers, provide extra help and the testimonials will flow.
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  • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
    Banned
    I prefer not to do reviews. I normally tell them when I get a pm that I don't do them unless I've decided on my own to buy the product.
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    Whenever I get requests to review products I simply thank them kindly for the offer but politely decline. A lot of people can't take negative criticism these days and a lot of the WSO's I have been sent to review have been pretty poor quality.

    Besides, I tend to think differently about those Warriors I see posting reviews in every second WSO. I don't want to be one of them.
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  • Profile picture of the author drmani
    Originally Posted by art72 View Post

    only to find their product puts you in an awkward position; What do you do? :confused:
    Art
    I typically BUY the product.

    That way my review can be "unrestricted"

    All success
    Dr.Mani
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    • Profile picture of the author ExRat
      Hi Dr. Mani,

      Originally Posted by drmani View Post

      I typically BUY the product.

      That way my review can be "unrestricted"
      That looks like PM inbox suicide.

      Is there any chance you could review my new product called - 'how to get rich by PMing Dr. Mani'? It's priced at $1m
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      Roger Davis
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    I must say, I have given review copies away to selected members for one of my WSO's.

    I also must say, that one member specifically, I did not use his testimonial but I believe due to his feedback I increased the quality of my WSO by 300%. He pointed out flaws, mistakes, and things that he felt came up short.

    I would recommend warriors who do reviews for people, to give an honest review to them personally, through PM. You may feel awkward, or feel obligated to give a good review but it isn't necessary. The most valuable review you experienced warriors can give, is an honest one. We're here to learn, share, and help each other. We're not here to lie to anyone and boost their egos. You don't need to post a negative review, but you can offer constructive criticism!
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  • Profile picture of the author Akogo
    Brutally honest reviews posted in WSOs have influence my buying decisions. What's funny is that afterwards you'll see some flattering reviews. Although at times mystery style sales copy may be fun to read and may get people to order just to satisfy their curiosity, some of products are a big disappointment. I feel bad for the seller who gets a review that exposes exactly what the mystery is by a brutally honest review, but at the same time I believe these brutally honest reviews are doing a service for the buyer.
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  • Profile picture of the author IamTJM
    I would provide an honest review. If a customer buys the product based on your testimonial, and the product is not a quality product in their eyes, then it is not just the vendor's, but your reputation as well at risk.
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  • Profile picture of the author spearce000
    My old boss used to say: "Never ask a question you don't want to know the answer to!" So if you decide to review someone's product, you owe it to them to give an honest and unbiased review.

    If you like the product and think others will too, say what you liked about it and how you think it will help them. On the other hand if you think the product is lacking in some respect, then say so. It's better the owner hears it from you at the review stage, than from a customer when they demand a refund. Just don't say "I think your product is rubbish" be constructive in your criticism.

    For example, I've been asking for reviews of a product I'll be launching soon. I got a review back yesterday which was quite complimentary, but pointed out a glaring typo in one of the slides. I hadn't spotted it, and it would look pretty stupid if I released the product in that condition. That's the sort of feedback I find helpful, and I will be correcting it before the final product is released (thanks Jamie).


    As far as sending a product to someone unsolicited and asking for a review is concerned, I think it's an imposition. I don't do it myself, and decline any invitations sent my way. If you want a product reviewed, the Warriors Looking to Hire You section is the place to ask. BTW, if you agree to review a product, you should take the trouble to review it, don't treat it as a freebie.


    Just my tuppence worth!
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