The New Intimacy

OK to express personal opinions during review?

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Contributor: cherryredhead88 cherryredhead88
I am doing one of my video reviews by a certain company that I don't particularly care for. I just don't "click" with the majority of their toys, I suppose. I really enjoy the toy I am reviewing (third time is a charm i guess) but I disagree with a few things.

What do you all think about me giving my honest opinion? Should I stay objective with it, or would it be OK to discuss these things? Please note that I am not intending to bash or be mean in any way, I want to honestly state a few things that I have personally experienced. This has happened with all the toys I have received from this brand as well. And no it isn't duo obsessions lol
09/26/2010
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Contributor: Alicia Alicia
Quote:
Originally posted by cherryredhead88
I am doing one of my video reviews by a certain company that I don't particularly care for. I just don't "click" with the majority of their toys, I suppose. I really enjoy the toy I am reviewing (third time is a charm i guess) but I ... more
I think that if it's not bashing or being mean then it's fine to be honest as long as it's not based on assumptions. You know? But if it's things that you have experienced then I think it's fine to be honest about those issues.
09/27/2010
Contributor: Viktor Vysheslav Malkin Viktor Vysheslav Malkin
For me, I would stick with the product, and leave the company out of it. Even if the company has let me down in the past. Plus it'd make me look bias.
09/27/2010
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
If you're not being honest, it's not worth writing the review or making the video. The result will be useless to everyone.
09/27/2010
Contributor: Persephone Nightmare Persephone Nightmare
Quote:
Originally posted by Adriana Ravenlust
If you're not being honest, it's not worth writing the review or making the video. The result will be useless to everyone.
I agree with what you said, Adriana.

Not only is being honest and including the product's bad points (along with the good) perfectly fine, but you'll be giving a sort of "heads-up" to the people thinking about buying the product That way they can make informed decisions about the toy in question. As reviewers, testers, and more than willing 'guinea pigs*' it is our duty to not only say what is good, but also to say what is lacking in the toy, what we didn't like, what can be improved, etc.

I can't remember exactly where it's said on EF, but to paraphrase, it says that it's not the job of the reviewers to 'sell' the toy, we're no Billy Mays, lol. That's Eden's job. We give our honest opinions on the product, the good, the bad, and the downright ugly, lol.

So just 'tell it like it is', CherryRed And since you have no intention to bash or be unjustly mean, you should have no worries

*I say this with the utmost love and respect towards what we do, of course Who doesn't like cute, cuddly Guinea Pigs?
09/27/2010
Contributor: Tori Rebel Tori Rebel
There's nothing wrong with being respectfully truthful. As long as you can explain the reasons you don't like the toy - the shape, material quality, battery life, control mechanism - can be explained, then that's fine. You may also find sometimes that the reasons you don't like a toy (too large, too small, too soft, certain kind of controls) may actually be selling points to other people. I've reviewed toys that I felt personally were just too large, and I know that for some people that's a good thing because they want the unusually large toys. And even saying you generally don't like the brand that makes a toy is OK as long as you have something to back it up with. Saying 'I normally don't enjoy toys by _______ because I've had several fail/break/deteriorate /not vibrate hard enough/etc.' is OK to do.
09/27/2010
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
Ok? It's expected. Your review IS your personal opinion. As long as you're giving the product a fair shake (or twist, or turn, etc) and keep an open mind, you're doing great. If the product is pretty bad, try to find the positive and work on that. If it doesn't work for you, explain why/how in your review.

Otherwise, all the above a great responses!
09/27/2010
Contributor: Mr. E Mr. E
If I like the product that I am reviewing then I'd say I like it, and why.
If I've had bad experiences in the past, I would disclose that when reviewing those products. I wouldn't say something like: "I love this new toy by XYZ corp, it's not like all the other crap they make". That would just be hateful. If your prior experiences are pertinent to the product then by all means mention it, but try to be fair.

There are brands that I love and brands that I feel are junk! I do try to stay away from the questionable brands. But with that said, occasionally either can surprise you.
09/27/2010
Contributor: Gunsmoke Gunsmoke
Expressing your personal opinion is the whole point. That's the only part I read. all the stuff descriptive stuff is only interesting if you find it different from the published description. It's your experience and opinion that I'm using to decide if the product gets on our wish list.
09/27/2010
Contributor: LicentiouslyYours LicentiouslyYours
Quote:
Originally posted by Gunsmoke
Expressing your personal opinion is the whole point. That's the only part I read. all the stuff descriptive stuff is only interesting if you find it different from the published description. It's your experience and opinion that I'm using ... more
That's a great point to make Gunsmoke. A review in any other industry—food, movies, books... is primarily opinion. I've said it before-a completely objective review that rehashes the same info available on the site about a product is useful to no one.

You absolutely should give an honest opinion and you can do it without being unfair or snarky. There is a difference between negative and just calling the product useless crap.
09/27/2010
Contributor: PassionQT PassionQT
I am always honest in my video reviews. If I find something faulty about the product, I'll mention it. There's a right way to point out the negatives and a wrong way.
09/27/2010
Contributor: Heartthrob Heartthrob
Quote:
Originally posted by cherryredhead88
I am doing one of my video reviews by a certain company that I don't particularly care for. I just don't "click" with the majority of their toys, I suppose. I really enjoy the toy I am reviewing (third time is a charm i guess) but I ... more
You're always welcome to express your opinion on a toy. That's what the review program is for.
09/27/2010
Contributor: Madeira Madeira
Quote:
Originally posted by cherryredhead88
I am doing one of my video reviews by a certain company that I don't particularly care for. I just don't "click" with the majority of their toys, I suppose. I really enjoy the toy I am reviewing (third time is a charm i guess) but I ... more
I think I'd mention that it's a personal opinion and then go
09/27/2010
Contributor: Victoria Victoria
Just popping in to say that I totally agree with JR, Gunsmoke, and Laurel!
09/27/2010
Contributor: mllebeauty mllebeauty
I agree with those who have told you to be honest. It is helpful to me to know if you've had problems with a certain brand. I can then decide if I want to steer clear or give them a shot. It may also confirm my experience and let me know I'm not the only one. I find the personal opinions extremely helpful.
09/27/2010
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
I would say it is fine, so long as you are talking about the product you're reviewing and not making a video about your perceptions of the company as a whole.
09/27/2010
Contributor: cherryredhead88 cherryredhead88
Quote:
Originally posted by Carrie Ann
I would say it is fine, so long as you are talking about the product you're reviewing and not making a video about your perceptions of the company as a whole.
This is what I was asking about for the most part. I am good as far as describing an actual product, but it is the company that I have had bad experiences with in the past. The toys seem to be of, how can i put this respectfully?, poor quality in my opinion and they always get destroyed on me.
09/28/2010
Contributor: cherryredhead88 cherryredhead88
Thanks for the input everyone! I just wanted to clear up a couple of things real quick. From reading your responses I feel that I may not have been clear enough with my question; it is about the company, not the product. This product in particular happens to be a good one so far. However, the other products I have received from this particular company have left me disappointed.

I am always honest on my reviews I'm not afraid to give my opinion, but I do not want to be disrespectful to this company (even though I don't care for them personally)
09/28/2010
Contributor: Rockin' Rockin'
Going off of your last post, I feel like there are ways to get your point across about a company without coming off as mean or attacking. I think I've mentioned companies in my reviews before (maybe not video reviews, I don't know), but mostly in positive contexts. I try not to say very strongly worded statements like "XYZ is the best company ever!" and stick to things that are true for me personally. For example, I feel comfortable saying that I have almost always had very good experiences with Fun Factory products. I also feel comfortable saying that Cal Exotics products are more hit-or-miss for me. It's one thing to say what your experience has been, but keep in mind that even if you've tried a few products from a company/brand/line, there are often many more out there that are unknowns, so I'd try to avoid generalizing ("All products by XYZ seem ____" etc.). Hope that helps.
09/28/2010
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by cherryredhead88
I am doing one of my video reviews by a certain company that I don't particularly care for. I just don't "click" with the majority of their toys, I suppose. I really enjoy the toy I am reviewing (third time is a charm i guess) but I ... more
Your review should really be about your good experience with this toy, not bringing in other non related toys. But of course, be honest about your experience with this toy.
09/28/2010
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by Rockin'
Going off of your last post, I feel like there are ways to get your point across about a company without coming off as mean or attacking. I think I've mentioned companies in my reviews before (maybe not video reviews, I don't know), but ... more
Excellent answer.
09/28/2010
Contributor: Heartthrob Heartthrob
Quote:
Originally posted by cherryredhead88
Thanks for the input everyone! I just wanted to clear up a couple of things real quick. From reading your responses I feel that I may not have been clear enough with my question; it is about the company, not the product. This product in particular ... more
The only thing I have ever said is that I am not a big fan of a certain company. In my opinion, the review should be about the toy and not necessarily about the company itself. If you talk too negativity about the company people might not read your review, which is something you don't want. Your review is also about the toy itself so be thoughtful and base the majority of your views on that.
09/28/2010
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
Quote:
Originally posted by cherryredhead88
Thanks for the input everyone! I just wanted to clear up a couple of things real quick. From reading your responses I feel that I may not have been clear enough with my question; it is about the company, not the product. This product in particular ... more
I would leave past products and judgements about the company pretty much out of the video, for sure. You can mention your opinion on the company, if it's relevant to your review, in the experience section, I guess but I would keep it brief.

For the most part, none of us have tried enough toys by any one single company to really make a judgement other than "the few things I've tried haven't been up to my standards" or something.
09/28/2010
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by Carrie Ann
I would leave past products and judgements about the company pretty much out of the video, for sure. You can mention your opinion on the company, if it's relevant to your review, in the experience section, I guess but I would keep it ... more
Sounds like an excellent suggestion and if I was reading your review this is what I would want to be included and not included.
09/29/2010
Contributor: cherryredhead88 cherryredhead88
Thanks guys! I have decided not to even talk about the company I definitely don't want to be seen as a negative reviewer and you are right, Carrie Ann- there are far too many toys for me to base an opinion on just a few!

I love this place
09/30/2010