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Take This As A Warning!

by John Pagulayan
15 replies
Someone sent me an e-mail earlier asking me if I can do a testimonial on an IM product at a price.

Now I don't know about you but I find this completely unethical.

My take on this is, if you have a good product, why buy testimonials? Might as well give it away for a review. Less costly and more ethical than buying them.

For those planning to buy or even include a fake testimonial in your sales page, here's an FTC document about it.

http://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/fil...mentguides.pdf
#warning
  • Profile picture of the author skriker
    Yeah I have seen many fake testimonials on webpages as I have been looking to promote different affiliate products, as some of them even have the same person on them!

    Its hard to trust product sites now these days because of this
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  • Profile picture of the author NK
    That's why you should never trust what the sales page says and do your own research outside of it. Check for other reviews on blogs or forums.

    Even those may be skewed, but they tend to give a more accurate representation of what others really feel about the product.
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  • Profile picture of the author JensSteyaert
    Yeah if you're asking people for testimonials then at least make sure they know what the product is about. Anything else is at least unethical.

    I guess it's just the fiverr generation...
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    I have been asked to do reviews of new ebooks before they become WSOs ( for no payment) but when I read them, I often have to tell the writer that I can't write a positive review because the content quality is quite poor.
    I won't write a bad review but I won't write a review I don't believe in either.
    What sometimes amazes me is that, instead of accepting the constructive criticism, people often get upset that their "treasure" supposedly has mistakes.

    I wonder if anybody else finds the same thing.
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    Cheers, Laurence.
    Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

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    • Profile picture of the author Raj Riyat
      Originally Posted by laurencewins View Post

      I have been asked to do reviews of new ebooks before they become WSOs ( for no payment) but when I read them, I often have to tell the writer that I can't write a positive review because the content quality is quite poor.
      I won't write a bad review but I won't write a review I don't believe in either.
      What sometimes amazes me is that, instead of accepting the constructive criticism, people often get upset that their "treasure" supposedly has mistakes.

      I wonder if anybody else finds the same thing.
      Yeh, I've done the same thing. Been asked to look at a product for review, given the product creator some constructive criticism and got an earful for it.

      I also hate it when people give testimonials of the author and not the product itself.
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    • Profile picture of the author sbucciarel
      Banned
      Originally Posted by laurencewins View Post

      I have been asked to do reviews of new ebooks before they become WSOs ( for no payment) but when I read them, I often have to tell the writer that I can't write a positive review because the content quality is quite poor.
      I won't write a bad review but I won't write a review I don't believe in either.
      What sometimes amazes me is that, instead of accepting the constructive criticism, people often get upset that their "treasure" supposedly has mistakes.

      I wonder if anybody else finds the same thing.
      I've gotten a fair amount of PM requests to review someone's product. At one time, I read a couple of them and they were really, really bad and no way would I want my name in their thread anywhere. I had to tell them that I could not do a review that they would publish.

      Now, I just tell them that if I want a product, I buy it and if I like it, I'll leave a review. Period.
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    • Profile picture of the author John Pagulayan
      Originally Posted by laurencewins View Post

      I have been asked to do reviews of new ebooks before they become WSOs ( for no payment) but when I read them, I often have to tell the writer that I can't write a positive review because the content quality is quite poor.
      I won't write a bad review but I won't write a review I don't believe in either.
      What sometimes amazes me is that, instead of accepting the constructive criticism, people often get upset that their "treasure" supposedly has mistakes.

      I wonder if anybody else finds the same thing.
      Yup. Same exact sentiment.
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  • Profile picture of the author Tim Franklin
    Biggest red flag for me is when I see more "Trusted, Warrior Reviews" in the sales copy than information about the product, it just screams hey don't buy this because the seller cant come up with enough good sales copy about what the product actually is to sell it, they have to use 2/3 of the sales copy to show you what other people think about their own product, now that is seriously messed up.
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    I have found that too, Suzanne. I rarely ever do reviews anymore because it's a time waster if it's bad. I only occasionally offer IF it sounds like something I want anyway. BUT I always say that my review will be honest and they may not like it. They rarely believe I will be honest though.

    @Time, I had forgotten about that aspect but it does set off red flags for me as well.
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    Cheers, Laurence.
    Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

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  • Profile picture of the author silentsal
    I rarely do reviews anymore. I won't write a positive review for something I haven't seen or is not good quality and it's embarrassing to have to tell someone that I think their product sucks.

    But if I really love a product I will give an unsolicited testimonial - which is way more valuable to them IMHO.

    Sally
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      Originally Posted by laurencewins View Post

      I have been asked to do reviews of new ebooks before they become WSOs ( for no payment) but when I read them, I often have to tell the writer that I can't write a positive review because the content quality is quite poor.
      I won't write a bad review but I won't write a review I don't believe in either.
      What sometimes amazes me is that, instead of accepting the constructive criticism, people often get upset that their "treasure" supposedly has mistakes.

      I wonder if anybody else finds the same thing.
      I've had this happen before.

      I've also given constructive feedback and had the creator assume that I was now their unpaid consultant, constantly asking for comments, editing, proofreading, new reviews, etc.

      If I have the time, I don't mind revisiting a product once. But I've had to tell a couple of people that if they want that level of help, my old consulting rate was $100/hr, half day minimum. One never contacted me again, and one read me the riot act using language that I could only reply "do you kiss your kids with that mouth?"
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  • Profile picture of the author deekay
    Write a fake review for a few dollars? It's a no-no for me.
    Those scrolling make-believe reviews on anyone else's websites are not bonus points to my eyes.
    If I want to find out what others are saying about that company, Google is my friend.
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  • Profile picture of the author Janice Sperry
    I have never been asked to review a product for a price. If I ever am asked to do that I would consider leaving a review:

    "I was offered $___ to leave a positive review of this product.

    This product is great.

    After I have received my money I will post again to let everyone know what I really think about this product."
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  • Profile picture of the author James1212
    I agree if you like it buy it and give a review. Just good business I think and fair.
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  • Profile picture of the author brutecky
    When I put a product out for pre-release its for 2 reasons to get beta testing (I do mostly software) and to get feedback. I dont even give it away, I charge people for it still (though I do give them a discount off the normal price) Why? Because I want people to give real honest feedback as customers and not just say great things because they feel obligated since I gave them something for free.
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