Amazon Review: Give 5 Stars or Shop Rejected
Warning: For Full Access Please Log In or Create an Account (Free)
And yes, I should have read the questionnaire before I started, so that's on me.
I think I would cancel too. Haven't seen that.
Glad I don't read those reviews!
Glad I don't read those reviews!
I think I would write to MSPA. This cheapens the whole industry and its reputation. Though it would be fair to bring it up with the company first. Maybe it's not much different than the shops where they challenge you on anything negative, clearly not wanting an objective review, just a pat on the back. But that at least is private.
Shopping domestic and international locations since 2003.
That's not a "mystery shop." That's "propaganda."
My integrity is worth more than $5.
My integrity is worth more than $5.
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
Since you have named the client you cannot name the MSC, but my suspicion is that this was not a shop from a legitimate MSC. OP, please take a look at the list of MSCs at the bottom of any page of the forum and let us know if the 'company' requesting this work is on our list.
Methinks my review would read thusly: "5 stars, only because if I don't leave 5 stars, I won't get paid for this review."
LOL!
LOL!
I would notify Amazon of this. I don't believe this is a legit company. Something is really wrong here.
I saw this in November. While I cannot name the MSC, it is a legitimate company. That doesn't mean it is a legitimate survey method. I would give the product an honest review, and if that caused me not to be paid, that would be the last shop I'd do for the MSC.
The "wipes" right? Yes, it is a very legitimate MS. If you read the reviews of the product on amazon, I had figured immediately who the shoppers were.
Well, the client is highly unlikely to be Amazon itself (it's the business who wants the product review), so the MSC could be named.
I also highly doubt that Amazon is the client, as paying for 5 star reviews unearned is a violation of Amazon's T&C. When Amazon finds out about this client's method of fake review boosting, their account will be disabled.
It is NOT mystery shopping. It is Amazon review.
I remember a thread about a similar dilemma a while back but can't find it.
That's foul! There was a similar project with a vitamin supplement a few years ago. Shoppers were to leave a stellar review in order to get paid.
Proctor and Gamble (not the client) discloses if a reviewer was compensated.
Proctor and Gamble (not the client) discloses if a reviewer was compensated.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
There's a whole underground business of fake Amazon reviews. I remember a story from last year about a woman who bragged about how much money she got reimbursed from the companies after she left a shining review. I'd Google for a link, but I'm not at my regular computer.
Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt
It is not even underground!
@KathyG wrote:
There's a whole underground business of fake Amazon reviews. I remember a story from last year about a woman who bragged about how much money she got reimbursed from the companies after she left a shining review. I'd Google for a link, but I'm not at my regular computer.
Any consumer worth their grain of salt knows that some positive reviews are biased. They are completed by friends or as I'm learning in this situation compensated for their review. As a consumer, I go in and read the negative reviews. I don't read the positive reviews nearly as much. I look at the issues experienced by the negative reviewers and then evaluate "is this something I could live with if it happens to me"? I recently bought a refrigerator. The reviews that said that the refrigerator broke within 1 year had a much greater impact upon my purchase than say the ones who the worst issue mentioned was a little rust. No one has great reviews 100% of the time. One particular manufacturer has several reviews that people had problems with the refrigerators going out and having to get a whole new one delivered. I steered away from that manufacturer all together. I think I went with a manufacturer who overall had a much better performance rating. It lacks a temperature control knob inside but I haven't had a problem. Of course, I've only had it a month. lol.
That vaguely rings a bell. I took one maybe a year or more ago, then saw that requirement and cancelled it. I can't remember who it was but it was a legit MSC. I read too many reviews myself to trick somebody else with a phony one.
I got where I wouldn't buy anything substantial without reading reviews, mainly Amazon since they have more than anybody else. Then I read the same article KathyG is talking about, above, and about the same time started noticing that some items had way too many 5 star reviews. If Amazon knows where their interests lie they'll fix this, but so far they haven't.
I got where I wouldn't buy anything substantial without reading reviews, mainly Amazon since they have more than anybody else. Then I read the same article KathyG is talking about, above, and about the same time started noticing that some items had way too many 5 star reviews. If Amazon knows where their interests lie they'll fix this, but so far they haven't.
Wait, what? I reported spam? What does that mean?
There was a post above mine that was a spammer. It was posting in another thread where i reported it. I was trying to save someone the trouble of reporting it again.
Kim
Thanks for explaining, Kim. 
Like F and L Telecomm, I’ve started reading the most recent negative reviews first for Amazon products. What might have been a problem in the past may have been rectified. If there are too many negative reviews that mention the same problem, I usually pass and look for a different version of the same product. If there are too many 5 star positive reviews and hardly any negative reviews, that doesn’t seem normal either, and doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll buy a product. You have to weigh all sides and let your common sense guide you.
I also try not to take $5 fee shops!
I also try not to take $5 fee shops!
Since the client has been named, I can't name the msc. I signed up for the Amazon shop and the instructions are very, very vague. Spend up to $25 on a product, take screenshots of the website pages. Is there a specific item we have to buy? I'm so confused. Nowhere does it state you will only be paid if you give a 5-star review. Help!
That is a violation of Amazon policy and the MSC should be reported as well as their client. Most of the reviews on cosmetics are fake on Amazon. They are clearly easy to find.
I saw one of these a while back and it WAS with a legitimate company. I can't remember which one, but I only shop for a dozen or so of the most well known companies. I didn't take it.@Flash wrote:
Since you have named the client you cannot name the MSC, but my suspicion is that this was not a shop from a legitimate MSC. OP, please take a look at the list of MSCs at the bottom of any page of the forum and let us know if the 'company' requesting this work is on our list.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.