When starting out doing reviews for companies on your blog, it can be pretty overwhelming at first. You receive all these ‘free’ items in the mail in exchange for your honest opinion of the item after trying it out. It sounds pretty easy doesn’t it? And so, people (mostly moms) flock to WordPress (as they should) or Blogger and create their own blog. Once you start pumping out a few reviews, more and more can come your way. Soon, your house may start to get a little crowded with all those items.
What’s a blogger to do?
Here comes the morality question of the day:
Is it ever ok to sell your review items?
After all, if you can’t make use of little Suzie’s diaper bag after using it to review for month, why shouldn’t someone else enjoy it (and why not make a few dollars on the side). What about that DVD you watched with your kids once and is now sitting on the shelf? It’s still on the shelves at the local department store, surely someone would want it for half price from you.
In my case, if I can’t make use of an item after it’s been reviewed, I pass it on to a friend or family member who is all too happy to have my used diaper bag, or even the half-used bottle of shampoo or body wash I tried. My friends love these small little gifts, even used, because it was free and they love trying out things too.
Innocent enough, right?
But what if a blogger decided the review itself was too much work, simply wrote a so-called “review post” ripping off information and PR Releases from the company’s site, and then turns around and sells the item “brand new” to build a nice little bank account?
Sadly, this happens.
But its shocking when you catch it….like I just did.
*cue Law and Order music*
Recently I was blog hopping and came across a review website with a few reviewing bloggers posting a variety of items. After reviewing for the past few months (not quite a year) it seems the girls have grown tired of it and would rather write a quick post using information from various websites, LIE ABOUT USING THE PRODUCT, and then sell the item on their handy Facebook Group Page-which all three writers are a member of at the time of this article.
Immediately I noted the ABC Family DVDs for sale. Good deal on them – brand new and sealed! But wait, didn’t they just “review” all these items? How do you review a DVD you haven’t watched?
Surely they couldn’t be lying with this disclosure statement all front and center on their blog.
Take a peek:
Get out the popcorn, it gets better… In September this blogger “reviewed” the O Yikes 24/7 Messenger bag. Here’s a screenshot of the so-called-review where the writer states that her husband “uses the bag all the time” and loves it.
Interesting since they’re now selling the bag on Facebook, brand new, for half the retail price.
Children’s toys are not safe from being sold off quickly either.
Here’s the December review of the very popular Plasma Car where the writer explains that, “The Plasma Car comes in a few pieces and it only takes a matter of minutes to put everything together. The included instructions were very easy to follow; there is an illustrated diagram for each step of the process.”
And then….are you rolling your eyes yet…the Facebook post where they’re selling the Plasma Car new in the box…
One final example, another laptop bag, this one from Melissa Beth Designs.
The writer states, “have taken my bag out several times in the rain (welcome to life in Nova Scotia) and was expecting the felt to go a bit lumpy or pill…not so, the Pocket Full of ‘Puter kept its beautiful exterior felt and did not disappoint me.”
She also shares that, “Almost every time I am out my Pocket full of ‘Puter, someone comments on how cute it is and or asks where I purchased it.”
The same bag is being sold on their blogs Facebook page, you guessed it, brand new with tags still on, for $120. So…are you lying to your visitors of your blog or the facebook buyers? Me thinks the blog since the tags would be soggy from the…rain.
As a blogger, I find this disgusting.
Not only is this blog not actually reviewing these (and likely many other) items for the companies as promised (remember, they are offering ‘an honest review’ in exchange for the product) but they’re also doing a huge disservice to their readers who read these reviews and make purchasing decisions based on them. Further, by selling the items, brand new and at a discount, they’re undercutting the hand that feeds them, selling the same item for less than the company that provided it!
While the writers at this blog were stupid enough to post their items on a public page, I wonder how many others are secretly doing the same. How are we to trust review bloggers now? Is this a case where one apple ruins it for the rest of us?
I hope not.
I know many bloggers, review bloggers, who work very hard trying out items and testing them for days, weeks, before writing an honest review. Some will include photos of the product being used too which should almost be standard for blog testers.
I would out them by name, but Trisha wont let me. You talk her into spilling who this is so you wont accidentally become a victim of this deceit. Oh, AND they are touting blog advice to newbies on their pages. I wonder if one of their upcoming blog posts will be “how to deceive your visitors and not get caught.”
The lesson here, I suppose, is that greed can get to bloggers and ruin what could have been a great blog with loyal readers. I know I won’t be checking out the opinion of this blog for any of my future purchases, but hey if I’m looking for a deal on brand new merchandise, now I know where to go…
~Anonymous Guest Writer
***************************************************************
*editors note.
I did not write this article, although its published under my name. This isn’t a frequent writer of ours so they don’t have an author tag.
Please note that this article came in with the bloggers info and links attached. I chose to take them out, and edit the photos -although I felt like leaving them.
Consider that my good deed for the year and don’t ask for more.
I verified these screenshots and all of the bloggers on the blog were also a part of the facebook page, so they were all well aware of what was going on…sad…sad.
BTW, if the FTC reads this and wants the info…..
Hey, I’m not *that* reformed.
~Trisha
Wow. That’s such a freakin disappointment. There are always going to be those who don’t operate with integrity. It’s hard to tell your readers that they can trust you when you have people doing things like this. Unfortunately, it happens… and there is not anything we can do about it but continue to operate our own blogs honestly and in the same manner we claim – in writing – by disclosing our process. I think those who are dishonest will be exposed and those of us who uphold our word will maintain positive reputations, which reflects our credibility.
Someone always has to go off and ruin it for the others!
Unbelievable. And, here I have a couple of books that I’ve had for months but as I haven’t finished reading them — I’ve held back the review. Even if I have the just of it.
If I totally didn’t like an article, I would offer the PR rep the option for me not to post it. But typically, I accept offers to items that I feel fit me well and I would enjoy reviewing and/or using.
Great share!
Ugh, just UGH!!! That really sickens me
Hilarious, the one “reviewer” says this, on their media page:
“Products will not be returned as each and every product is used”
This is why the fashion industry hasn’t gotten into blog reviews the way the parenting industry has.
All the tools for companies and the FCC to find these bloggers are right here. Google phrase search is an amazing thing.
(Probably won’t post again, but the more I think about this, the more irritated I get and the more scuzzy I think these bloggers are)
That was inevitably going to happen, I was waiting on it, and sure enough, I’d learn of it from you! They need to be put to shame!
I’ve given things to friends/family when we’ve gotten bored or no longer need something, but to actually sell it? That is BS. I could understand, maybe if it was on Ebay, as used, but just taking them and selling them as new to make more money? That’s just insane!
That gives all of us honest, ethical bloggers a HORRIBLY bad name. When I pitch items, I only pitch for things that I NEED and will use. The thought to sell anything I’ve received has never crossed my mind. Sure, for a few reviews I’ve had my husband give me his opinion (foods I can’t eat), but I disclose clearly that it is my husband giving his opinions, and that I did not use the product personally.
Trisha, you’re much nicer than I would be in this situation.
Wow!! I think I’m completely speechless. This really pisses me off
And you know they’re not paying taxes on any of it. I’m sure the IRS would love to get their paws on their cut of all this money moving around.
(Reminder: Talk to your tax accountants about requirements to claim review items and reimbursements on your taxes. Your blog is a record of everything you’ve received. You do NOT want to be audited.)
This is a sad shame. I’m not even a review blogger (would love to be though) and I realize how shameful this is to fellow reviewer’s. Also, if you can’t trust the person as a reviewer then I would definitely NOT trust them to sell me anything.
Unbelievable. And I just read that it is one of the sites I follow.
Thanks you Mom Dot for bringing things like this to all our attention. Scandinavian Child works hard to find reviewers who are quality writers and have a genuine interest and an overall objective for our products, and ave been priveleged to work with many of you already.
When we send out products for review, we fully understand that a product may not work for your household – but we would expect to be informed of that and then would hope you would donate it to a local charity (or a friend as Trisha mentioned.)
Again, thank you for bringing this issue to the forefront of everyone’s minds.
Scandinavian Child
http://www.scichild.com
crap like this gives us all a bad name. I’m glad they were called out!
Wow…this just totally makes me sick to my stomach! People like this are giving those bloggers who DO give HONEST reviews not only a bad name but also takes review opportunities away from those who are totally legitimate.
If I am given a product that me or my family has no need for I pass them along to family, friends or charity. NEVER would I even consider selling the stuff on Ebay or some other method. That is just so wrong on so many levels.
If you are not actually going to do a REAL review where you ACTUALLY put the product to use then DON’T OFFER TO DO A REVIEW FOR IT! You are costing the company money, taking the opportunity away from legitimate reviewers and doing a series disservice to your blog readers.
I wonder if the people purchasing the goods know about the bogus blog reviews? If they do then they are just as guitly and as wrong as those bloggers.
If you are in need of $$$ you can raise funds by getting paid to post or selling ads…not by LYING to your readers and STEALING products from companies (in my opinion it’s like stealing).
UGH!!!! I’ so disgusted. I hope these people are caught and banned from all company/PR lists forever.
Stepping off my soap box now.
What a dumb move on their part. good for the people pointing this out. It is one thing for the company to ask you to include text but you quote and say who it came from. A whole other issue just out right taking the companies info.
Then selling an item you got for free? Really? I dont understand that.
Hope these people get shut down
Interesting… I know of some other bloggers who have done this too.. Really! Honestly if you don’t plan on giving an honest review, if your not going to use the product DON’T REVIEW IT! I’ve gotten a few baby items sent to me that I can’t possibly review, so I’ll write a ‘feature’ post about the product and hand it off to a friend/family member who can use it if I’m that desperate, but I try not to get items to review that I wouldn’t use myself, or that any other members of my family couldn’t try out. It’s sad that they give ‘honest’ reviews without even reviewing the product one bit…And then to make money off of it…. Ugh…Classy!
And things like that are exactly why the rules are changing for review bloggers. When I write my reviews, I always include background company information which is often paraphrased.. and then clearly state.. “What we really thought”.. and give my personal views and opinions on the product which I have found to be successful and acceptable by PR reps.. and I almost always include a photo if I can.. videos too! I find this disgusting.. don’t accept review products that you have no real need or desire for.. it’s that simple! Some people!
Wow! I’m beyond pissed. What nerve.
I know it’s all been said before in the comments, but that’s just wrong and incredibly disappointed and deceptive. What a horrible disservice to blog readers and the companies who rely on word of mouth advertising.
Like others I spend a LOT of time and effort on reviews – trying the product, taking photos and getting a good feel of it before sharing with readers. And, I expect other review bloggers to do the same. I have made several purchases based on reviews – from now on I’ll be more careful and try to figure out who’s actually trustworthy and who’s not.
I spent quite some time working in the old-school journalism industry, and this is one of the biggest no-nos. Ever. People get FIRED for this.
I hate to be the one saying it, but bloggers like this are the reason the FTC targeted all of us. It’s crappy and unfair to those of us who are honest and hardworking. So frustrating.
That is horrible. How can they feel good about themselves? I’ve passed things along I no longer want/use, but selling it? Wow.