Are there biased posts....

Cleaning Fool · 12-05-06, 07:50

On this board? Not from people who are loyal to a particular line or product, but from people who have $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ to gain> What say you

GregCavi · 12-05-06, 07:53

This is often called schilling or spamming, and I really don't think it exists where person A gets $$ for mentioning a brand. I think there are definitely many overzealous members (myself included) over a brand that really works well for them. I think if someone is overzealous, that is fine because they use a product they are extremely pleased with.

Greg

Picus · 12-05-06, 07:56

Hey if you know any brands that need a schill let me know!

GregCavi · 12-05-06, 07:57

Good Call, need tuition money!

Greg

CleanFreak2 · 12-05-06, 07:58

I like to post about places that have been good to me and try to spread the word. I like to post about the products that have worked for me.

fdizzle · 12-05-06, 08:02

i beleive that this forum provides a pretty fair base for product discussion, usually products that get repetative talk and good vibes do so not because the individuals boasting them are biased, but like GREGCAVI said - because they work very well, and a variety of different autopians support them. Vendors are also discouraged from promoting their sites and certain information on the detailing forum area. I am a member of another forum where product loyality seems to be a facotr in product discussion - which is why I spend the majority of my time here.

But ill say this . . . if david B or scottwax, accumulator or many of the other seasoned autopians on here (sorry guys if i left you out . . .to many of you) say somthing works insanely silly good - expect me to try it. Its not because Im gullible, but because its probably true . . . just look at their work, and their reputation . .

Z06-Goose · 12-05-06, 08:26

There are definitely people here who get freebies from certain products to hype it up on the internet; that anybody would ever want to admit that in public, is a different story...
What I love about Autopia is that since I've been here, I haven't seen any particular product dominate this forum like others I've been to. Pretty objective opinions is what you normally get here. A lot of different products are used and review, and people have more choices. You can count on a good review that will definitely help you make a purchase decision without hearing wax X is better than wax Z but rather, how wax X performs for a particular situation
Goose

Picus · 12-05-06, 09:08

When Jeff from Werkstatt put my picture on his front page I asked for freebies, but didn't get any. I'm a crummy schill!

Scottwax · 12-05-06, 09:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Picus

When Jeff from Werkstatt put my picture on his front page I asked for freebies, but didn't get any. I'm a crummy schill!

When I first ordered from him, he sent me a nice letter saying he was aware of who I was and was glad I decided to try his products. Honestly, that made me feel better than a year's worth of his products.

I do occasionally get free test samples of products to try but the only expecation is that I provide them with honest feedback. I know there are a lot of people here who have similar arrangements. I've had Optimum and Clearkote products to try before they hit the market, others here had Zaino's new Pro versions to test. As long as people are honest about how they come about new products, I have no problem with it.

I do have a problem with someone with a very low post count that asks a question about a product not normally mentioned around here and within minutes, other members with similarly very low post counts are chiming in about what a great product it is.

Z06-Goose · 12-05-06, 09:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottwax

When I first ordered from him, he sent me a nice letter saying he was aware of who I was and was glad I decided to try his products. Honestly, that made me feel better than a year's worth of his products.

I do occasionally get free test samples of products to try but the only expecation is that I provide them with honest feedback. I know there are a lot of people here who have similar arrangements. I've had Optimum and Clearkote products to try before they hit the market, others here had Zaino's new Pro versions to test. As long as people are honest about how they come about new products, I have no problem with it.

I do have a problem with someone with a very low post count that asks a question about a product not normally mentioned around here and within minutes, other members with similarly very low post counts are chiming in about what a great product it is.

I agree with you, Scott. In some instances, manufacturers want other people to try their porduct by giving freebies, and they expect an honest review/feedback, but by the same token, you find reviews under the same circumstances that you can't tell if what you're reading a is review, or a paid ad for the product.

thesacrifice · 12-05-06, 09:55

What better way for these smaller boutique detailing brands to get some real world testing and exposure than by providing them to a prominent user such as Scott and seeing what he things/advices?

A lot of products that have hype, have hype because they work! Aquawax and ONR being the latest products hyped beyond no end that are deserving.

Mikeyc · 12-05-06, 09:56

There are definitely spammers that rear their ugly heads here every once in a while. But they are typically taken care of quicly.

There are also I'm sure plenty of members who get free products to try out. I know I have, but if I was counting the number of free products I've recieved on my fingers I probably wouldn't need both hands. I feel if you're writing a review of a product and you got it for free it's not a problem as long as you're open & honest about how you got it.

I also know that I post more about products that I feel really work well for me. If I feel a product is good or I've had a great experience with a store then I tell people because I want others to have the same great experience I've had. I'm probably a little overzealous in defense of products that I consider "good" when someone makes a negative post about one of them though.

I've also in the past posted reviews where I've regarded products as average, lack laster, or down right bad. I try to only post about products I like though. I just feel its a better service to my fellow Autopians to tell them about good products rather than bad ones (unless they're REALLY bad of course

).

A product may get some buzz if the manufacturer hands out samples, but in the end it won't get a lot of talk unless it performs.