The New Intimacy

I decline a descriptive assignment or push assignment when...

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Contributor: Owl Identified Owl Identified
Simple enough: when do you guys decline push assignments or descriptive assignments - if at all? I try to be open minded, but most of the push assignments I receive are DRs. For this reason I'm somewhat discerning and only accept things that don't look as though they would bother me. I want to be able to give a fair review, and after 2+ years of reviewing I have a decent sense of which products I'll have difficulty being objective with. Example:

I was sent the Ogee vibe a while ago for a DR and declined it. The bumps on it looked like they'd be uncomfortable for me as I don't like a ton of texture. Otherwise, I try to be open minded provided the toys don't contain phthalates and won't be TOO much of a pain in the ass to keep clean. Really my only reasons for declining are that a toy is made from low safety materials, is super high maintenance or just looks like something I'd hate/have no use for. There are other times I do decline just because I'm busy (with other reviews or life in general), but this is less often.

How about you? I tried to include a lot of options, but add your own in the comments if you like. Complete this sentence: I decline a push or descriptive review assignment...

How about you? Anonymous voting so you won't be judged for your reasoning!
Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):
When a product looks "cheap"
14
When a product is made from low safety materials
42
When a product looks difficult to clean/maintain
6
When I am allergic to or ethically opposed to a product's material
54
When a product is not geared toward my sex/gender/body type
66
When a product is not geared toward my sensory preferences and/or kinks
33
When I have too many other reviews that I need to complete
27
When my life is too hectic to review the product
29
When a product is not made by a high-end manufacturer
4
Other (please explain)
16
Total votes: 291 (99 voters)
Poll is closed
09/09/2011
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Contributor: Starkiller87 Starkiller87
If I get a push assignment I usually try to always take it. I just got a pushed a cock ring yesterday that Im not something I would go buy this particular one, but Im gonna try it and do my best to review it reguardless. I figure if they are pushing stuff it is things they need reviews on and after everything they've done I can take something less than stellar. Unless I know Im going to have an allergic reaction to it, Id try it. Even texture stuff, because who knows you might like it.
09/09/2011
Contributor: Angelica Angelica
So far I have only received, and also declined, one push assignment. It was for a cock ring and I do not have the anatomy to make it work nor a partner to try it out with, so I couldn't possibly offer a review on it.
09/09/2011
Contributor: Tuesday Tuesday
I decline them when its a couples toy and I don't think my husband will want to use it. He can be quite picky.
09/09/2011
Contributor: Sir Sir
When it doesn't look like something I'm interested in. I'm not one for trying new things when I know, without a doubt, that I won't enjoy it. Also, I refuse them sometimes when I want to review something else and don't have the time to take on another product.
09/09/2011
Contributor: ZenaidaMacroura ZenaidaMacroura
So uh...at the risk of sounding like a complete idiot, what's a push assignment?
09/09/2011
Contributor: Rockin' Rockin'
Quote:
Originally posted by ZenaidaMacroura
So uh...at the risk of sounding like a complete idiot, what's a push assignment?
It's when you receive an assignment that you didn't request. It just appears in your assignment list from one of the admins and you have the choice to accept it or not.
09/09/2011
Contributor: Kindred Kindred
I really only have time to deal with one maybe two reviews at a time. So I usually decline additional assignments if I already have one, especially DRs since they are higher priority.
09/09/2011
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
I've only received one so far and it was for a cock ring. I was happy to accept the assignment because it's an area we are just getting into as far that goes. I'll check back in when it's more relevent to me. Great thread!
09/09/2011
Contributor: Nissa Nissa Nissa Nissa
Never had a push assignment yet but I basically agree with above. If I was given a toy to review which seemed painful.. or a cock ring which I could use on a dildo but I couldn't really describe it or its comfort.. I'd have to deny.
09/09/2011
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
While I never have refused one, there are only a few things I would not accept, things like BDSM gear, we like light stuff but would not use something like nipple clamps. At the moment, harnesses are not an option as well. (Some day, I can only hope.) The best part is I have tried a few products that I might not have looked at and they are nice toys.

The cool part is, I have never been asked to review a product that did not fit into my preferences. The staff has been great about that.
09/09/2011
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
I think I've turned down one assignment, and it was for a glass butt plug that the measurements on the page indicated would be too large for me to be able to use. I ended up with the Maverick instead, also too large for me to comfortably use a lot lol.
09/09/2011
Contributor: Naughty Student Naughty Student
I am really open to trying anything but lately have been writing quite a bit of reviews and my life is a bit hectic too so I have been declining a few things.

I was offered to review butt beads but had to decline as I am in the process of writing many reviews already and I have just recently submitted my last DR's.
09/09/2011
Contributor: Tuesday Tuesday
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyTimeTim
While I never have refused one, there are only a few things I would not accept, things like BDSM gear, we like light stuff but would not use something like nipple clamps. At the moment, harnesses are not an option as well. (Some day, I can only ... more
Really? They assign me things that don't fit my preferences all the time. I assumed that they don't look at your preferences.

Also, if they were to assign me a toy that's just for anal use, I would definitely decline it.
09/09/2011
Contributor: Naughty Student Naughty Student
Quote:
Originally posted by Naughty Student
I am really open to trying anything but lately have been writing quite a bit of reviews and my life is a bit hectic too so I have been declining a few things.

I was offered to review butt beads but had to decline as I am in the process of ... more
Also, I cannot accept certain toys that I know my guy will have a hard time accepting. My lover is opening up to sex toys more and more but he is still a very vanilla and traditional type of guy so not all things go
09/09/2011
Contributor: js250 js250
I have only declined one item. My husband and I had already purchased it previously to joining EF and we absolutely hate it! I felt that I was not the right person for that particular job. I try to take as many as I am able to, Edens has been so generous and giving that I am happy to help out however I can, and if DR's or push assignments are what they need, I will take everything but anal, BDSM or a previously owned/hate it item. I found I actually have really liked a few things I wasn't sure about.
09/09/2011
Contributor: PassionQT PassionQT
I'll do most things I get, and I've done some crazy ones..like Mylie..heavens...but I had fun with that one and it paid off! (won a ramble or something on that awful blow-up doll).. I try not to have more than 2 assignments to work on a time. I have to get busy this weekend!
09/09/2011
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
This is something I have been curious about, being in the mentor program, when I graduate I'll be an advanced reviewer. One of my concerns is that I can't focus on more than 1 (maybe 2) reviews at a time. Is there any kind of repercussion for declining an assignment?
09/09/2011
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Quote:
Originally posted by indiglo
This is something I have been curious about, being in the mentor program, when I graduate I'll be an advanced reviewer. One of my concerns is that I can't focus on more than 1 (maybe 2) reviews at a time. Is there any kind of repercussion ... more
Nope, no repercussions for declining an assignment. We know that things come up and not everybody wants every assignment
09/09/2011
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
There is absolutely nothing wrong with turning down an assignment. We actually prefer people to be realistic about it, lest we end up with a bunch of "It didn't fit" or other emails like that and have to cancel the assignment.

I wish there was a better way of categorizing preferences/settings. I'll be honest, I assume about 85-90% of our community are women/female/bio-vagin as...cuz that's how the trends show on every poll done on the forums. We also don't know if a contributor is in a relationship and could use a couple's toy.

Because of all that, the thought has been: "Assign it and they can decline it if they don't want it." It generally works out and we NEVER fault anyone for turning down a push assignment.

In a related note: If you know a guy/bio-penis person, get them to start doing reviews! We'd love to have them!
09/09/2011
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
Oh good. I really have no interest in amassing a collection of free toys or anything, but rather writing good reviews on things I can truthfully and accurately assess. That is a relief.
09/09/2011
Contributor: Shellz31 Shellz31
I don't get offers apart from my monthly toy and I requested it in the first place so no need to decline.
I do get offered dvds and I will decline ones I don't like the look of.
09/09/2011
Contributor: Tuesday Tuesday
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
There is absolutely nothing wrong with turning down an assignment. We actually prefer people to be realistic about it, lest we end up with a bunch of "It didn't fit" or other emails like that and have to cancel the assignment.

I ... more
JR, If we're assigned something that we really think we won't like but still feel that we can fully test and describe well, do you want us to accept the assignment? Should we only accept assignments for things we think we'll like?

Whether I'll like a product hasn't been an acceptance criteria for me so far.
09/09/2011
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
Quote:
Originally posted by Tuesday
JR, If we're assigned something that we really think we won't like but still feel that we can fully test and describe well, do you want us to accept the assignment? Should we only accept assignments for things we think we'll like? ... more
That's really up to you actually. If you don't really have an interest in the product, but would use it and review it, that's totally your call. Whichever you decide, you will not be looked down on or thought bad of if you decline an assignment.

I have noticed that people do give better reviews for types of products or companies if they've had positive experiences with them in the past. If someone doesn't much care of a type of product or company, they usually don't give as good of a review.
09/11/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
I won't review a product that I wouldn't use in my regular sex life, or was never planning on using. For instance, I'm a woman in a heterosexual D/s relationship, as a sub. I would never penetrate my husband, so things like strap ons, harnesses, and packers simply could not be ethically reviewed by me. I feel one should at least have an interest in the product and a desire to use it.

As I wouldn't use a harness or a packer in my sex life, I can't give a realistic view of how the products rates against others like it, nor do I have interest in using these products. I think, for me anyway, choosing products that you actually will USE, not just try once and write a review about, is important.

I also decline most condom assignments, as I am allergic to latex and my husband and I rarely use even polyisproine condoms.
09/11/2011
Contributor: Illumin8 Illumin8
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
There is absolutely nothing wrong with turning down an assignment. We actually prefer people to be realistic about it, lest we end up with a bunch of "It didn't fit" or other emails like that and have to cancel the assignment.

I ... more
Hey JR, you've got a very eager and dedicated guy ready to do as many reviews as possible right here!
09/11/2011
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
I turned down one assignment so far. It was a glow in the dark harness made of low quality materials.
09/11/2011
Contributor: Owl Identified Owl Identified
I just turned down a lube the other day that actually looked really cool, but I already have more lube than I can realistically use before their expiration dates I figure someone else will get it and be like "Ooo! Lube! I need that!" and it will be better

Also, P'Gell, I have to say I really appreciate your stance. This is NOTHING against anyone that reviews products that they don't use, but I'm always a little bewildered when I read a review that's like "I got this Fleshlight but don't have a penis nor do I have a partner with one." Same goes for reviews of harnesses, double dildos, etc from people that don't use them. While those people can obviously still give me a run down of the materials and quality, that's ultimately not what I'm reading for. What I really want to know is how it works. Do I have total confidence that you could wear a harness and tell me if it's comfortable and well made? Sure, but I'd still rather know if it was actually good for fucking in - which you don't do.

Still, the reviews in question may be useful for other people, if not to me. Luckily most products have multiple reviews on them so at least one will be helpful for my purposes.
09/11/2011
Contributor: Beaners Beaners
I've gotten a couple. One was a pink dildo that was way too big, and the specs on the page were wrong so I thought I could handle it. Hahah! Otherwise I prob would have declined that one. I'm pretty willing to give almost anything a go once. If it looks unsafe I'll pass on it, but I haven't ever done that yet. Between my boyfriend and I, we're pretty eclectic.
09/12/2011
Contributor: Gunsmoke Gunsmoke
I have to say the toys I've been offered for review were either cheap low end vibes or male masturbators. Almost all of my reviews on high end vibes and dildos. If there was any attempt to match the assignment to the reviewer, this could have been avoided.

As for mastrubators, it's just not my thing. No way anyone would know that - I refused because I just don't have any interest in the genre.
09/12/2011