Was it?

I've never considered misusing a word or not knowing a definition to mean someone was unintelligent. It happens to all of us.

Perhaps she was insulting my character by saying I was accusing people of things when I wasn't.

It's all so subjective. less

I'm just posting because I want to be the 100th post.. but seriously, I've had way too much to drink tonight.

I've said this before, people need to make a yahoo group where they can discuss these things off site because arguments are not only really bad for business but for the community. We work so hard to make this a receiving, welcome site and it's threads like these that will deter new contributors from posting. I'm not calling anyone out because I like you all equally but I think it's prime time we're started a group or forum off of Eden where contributors can "vent" about these things in a more appropriate place. less

I'm just posting because I want to be the 100th post.. but seriously, I've had way too much to drink tonight.

I've said this before, people need to make a yahoo group where they can discuss these things off site because arguments are not only really bad for business but for the community. We work so hard to make this a receiving, welcome site and it's threads like these that will deter new contributors from posting. I'm not calling anyone out because I like you all equally but I think it's prime time we're started a group or forum off of Eden where contributors can "vent" about these things in a more appropriate place. less

Yes, I have reasons… (More I have my feelings…)
I have actually been here longer any of you. For reference, I took the date of the oldest review of the top ten reviewers, those that I know who started about the same time that I did, and those that posted here. Do you really want an environment where the most senior reviewers leave? Perhaps... That may also depend on business decisions - but I don't have to like it.

AAG- (gone) – March 2007
Backseat Boohoo – September 2008
Beautiful Dreamer – May 2008
Bulma – (gone), June 2008
Dame Demi - October 2007
Devilbluedress – May 2007
Ephidora – October 2007
Essin’ Em – (gone) March 2007
Foxxy Kitty – October 2007
Happy Lady – September 2008
Jimbo Jones – August 2007
Liz 2 – October 2008
Oggins – April 2008
Safo Garcia – April 2008 (I think…)
Sleeping Dreamer – September 2007
Red Roulette – May 2008

When I started, there were no guidelines about how to write reviews nor were there any way to change them. They were frequently edited by Eden staff, and sometimes they did such a crappy job trying to add links that they screwed up the grammar. I accepted the editing, fought the grammar and when it became an option rewrote most of the reviews closer to the original. It wasn’t until after about my fourth review that I was shown examples of some good reviews. That was when I found a product that really sucked.

There wasn’t a welcome letter for new reviewers, and I never had time to browse much. I didn’t even know about the forum until I received an email that included a link. I’ve thought about writing up a FAQ for new reviewers.
I would have liked to have been asked to have been included in the descriptions program. I would have said, “No” for personal reasons so not getting the newest toys isn’t my concern. I think that I actually write good reviews. If not- perhaps someone should have mentioned it long ago.

Open and honesty from Eden? Consistent rules for everyone or special treatment? I just looked at one reviewers site in more detail. She has 10 reviews posted in December and January. Exactly 7 are verified. None are click through, and published on her blog only. However, there is additional information on some of them offsite. She’s getting a lot more than one toy a month. I wonder exactly how other reviewers feel about this - if they knew.

I have seen at least two policy changes canceled without notice or warning. (I understand the cancelation as a business practice. It’s the lack of notice which I consider inconsiderate. One of the policies is still in place and misleading on the website. They involved incentives or expensive toys to review. I was at one of the reviewers that received an email after 20 verified reviews you could choose any toy on the site. Before Augustin left he mentioned to me that I could request an expensive toy. I don’t object to my original request being both denied and negotiated. I’m actually quite happy with the toy that I received and reviewed. However, I was left with a very negative impression as well. (Basically, I was treated as a pain in the ass for asking.)

Some of you know that the interview project was personally important to me. I’m not petty enough to assume that I had to be either first or the only one. However, I am annoyed that there were certain communications off the forum at a time when it probably was apparent that they already had plans for who it would be. Again- no communication.

Someone asked me a question that sparked a thought. I wonder if Eden has made the policy to deliberately focus on building their younger market. It is a valid business reason if that’s where the sales are. I took a quick look at the age demographic post, and I admit that I could have made a mistake. There’s 13 reviewers between 20 & 30, 6 between 31 and 40, and 3 that are older. Older reviewers have a different perspective, more experience and generally more money. It’s still a valid business reason for marketing.

I’ve been willing to work very hard, but as far as I can tell there is no benefit to doing so. I very much appreciate Sleeping Dreamer, Dame Demi’s, Liz 2, and Happy Lady’s perspective. They are essentially saying – “You don’t write for a company. You write to make the world a better place.” Perhaps. Only I thought I was trying to make Eden a better company too, and haven’t felt that I’ve made any progress.

Beautiful Dreamer – I appreciate your simple understanding. Suggestions for improvement? Honest communication from Eden. Actual acknowledgement of the true benefit of the high ranking reviewers. There isn’t much benefit between you and I and eighty and ninety percent of the reviewers at Eden. You’re far better, and more interesting. (I’m not sure I’m going to care.)

Red Roulette – Can’t speak to your expectations, but mine are simple. I recognize that Eden is a business with a need to make money. I expect to be treated as a valued human being that actually benefits them. They won’t care if I walk. (Probably like it!)

Backseat Boohoo – Why do I stay? Because I have no interest in starting over. Because I doubt that I would buy another sex toy from another company right now in my life. There have been one or two things that seem to show up that I’m still vaguely interested in. I may be gone soon enough. It’s about more than just the toys. (I have heard others comment that those in the descriptions program get the “golden egg.” Not my concern at all though.)

BTW- Before this comes up. This is not about my personal rank or getting “expensive” toys. I want very few toys anymore… There has only been one review request that I had denied. (It had mediocre reviews. I saw potential, had interest and a reasons that I'd write a better review. It's inexpensive that I could buy it myself if I wanted it. I don't- I thought it would be more useful to Eden.) less

I think we should have a contributors only forum. A private forum that only contributors who are signed in can see and participate in. However, I really don't think it should be off-site. If we are going to be voicing concerns there, it should be in a place that EF employees can see and respond to it. They should really figure out how to do it in these forums. Or revamp these forums entirely. less

Regarding your post on age demographics, I also agree that many of the reviewers seem to be younger students, which is a wonderful thing. However, since women don't hit their sexual peaks until their 30's, I'm always thrilled and refreshed to read reviews from women closer to my age (and those who are in longer-term marriages). I know my perspective has changed greatly through the years, so I actually wish Eden would do more to encourage 'older' reviewers as well. less

Eh I figure I'll add my two cents since it's a forum and all.

DBD you started the forum and so I think it's only fair that you respond to the outcry - not just stir the pot and leave it.

Carie Ann - Anything I say you'll probably turn around soooo I'll just go ahead and say how about you wait and read/learn a little more about the programs and ask questions before charging out the gate accusing just about everyone.

You're miffed that you're not getting free toys - well there was a post a while back about participating in the descriptive review program. And like everyone's said before EF has the right to choose who they want apart of their programs. You're getting free toys right? And now you're complaining about HOW MANY free toys you're getting? I don't care how many toys other people are getting, I'm just doing my own thing.

ALSO I have been accepted and rejected for various projects, sure I might ask why - but in an email. I'm not exactly going to throw my hands up and say, "woe is me, I'm not being treated like so and so." We have no idea about the personal interaction between reviewers and administrators or the personal lives of each reviewer on this site - sweeping generalisations don't work. Neither does pointing the finger. less

If we're going to make this a thread where we can discuss our feelings without being attacked, I would just like to say that all of these posts about reviewers feeling under appreciated are starting to make me feel horribly guilty. I get that I'm a Quaker and therefore guilt over "having more" is omnipresent, but it's getting to the point where I feel like I have to do SOMETHING to placate people.

I'm usually proud of myself when I write something useful, and I would write and edit reviews on Notepad for hours, getting a rush out of the project. But it's getting to the point where all I feel when I sit down to write a review is this horrible, awful guilt for having something I didn't pay for while other, more deserving members feel left out.

I'm not pointing fingers or trying to be mean, but I am generally hard to rankle, and now I just feel...bad. and spoiled. less

If we're going to make this a thread where we can discuss our feelings without being attacked, I would just like to say that all of these posts about reviewers feeling under appreciated are starting to make me feel horribly guilty. I get that I'm a Quaker and therefore guilt over "having more" is omnipresent, but it's getting to the point where I feel like I have to do SOMETHING to placate people.

I'm usually proud of myself when I write something useful, and I would write and edit reviews on Notepad for hours, getting a rush out of the project. But it's getting to the point where all I feel when I sit down to write a review is this horrible, awful guilt for having something I didn't pay for while other, more deserving members feel left out.

I'm not pointing fingers or trying to be mean, but I am generally hard to rankle, and now I just feel...bad. and spoiled. less