General Discussion Board

Have you ever completely changed your mind after reading one review?

PattyTherre — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 07:50:53 GMT

Oh, I definitely have changed my mind after reading a review. Certain keywords will just completely turn me off of certain things. If I am reading a review of a blush I want to buy and someone says how shimmery it is, that's that. I won't buy it. I hate shimmery makeup. I have completely changed my mind about exercise stuff based on a description of the workouts or the product. I know what I like and, if I read that a workout is great for beginners and easy, I will look for a different one because I am past that at last.

I also will change my mind about a food, drink, or anything else that has strange herbs I don't know about in them. Even if the review is a glowing one, if they mention that it contains XXX,XXX, and XXX root - all herbs or natural stuff I don't know anything about - nope. I don't even want to try it because I have funky allergies and I don't need to end up in the emergency room because I drank something with "wipple root extract" in it.

Lots of times I will be reading a review and see something that changes my mind. The funny thing is, often they are positive reviews but certain things just turn me off of certain products.

I do look at negative reviews and pros and cons and often override a review and try things for myself. About half the time, I am happier than the reviewers were with the product. Other times, I could kick myself because I was warned!

I prefer to read several reviews of a product, especially something pricey, to get an idea of what all kinds of people are saying. If I see a pattern of something negative in the reviews, I will probably bypass the item unless I just gotta have it. Then I end up wishing I had paid more attention to the reviewers who were all complaining about a certain thing. lol.

I never change my mind about music though. I like what and who I like and it's just too personal to me. If everyone hated an artist's music whom I liked, I would still buy the CD or download it because I like the artist. The exception being "This Left Feels Right" by Bon Jovi. I was warned by reviewers who hated the CD. I got it anyway. I hated it too. That's not the norm though.

Have you ever completely changed your mind after reading one review?

dukethepcdr — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:57:43 GMT

I usually read several reviews on more than one website, both professional and amateur ones, before I make a major purchase like a car, game console or something. If it's something cheaper like going to see a movie, I might be more easily swayed. However, when it comes to movies or video games, I always look closely at the review and see if I can guess or notice any bias in the review. When someone gives a game a really bad review, especially an amateur, I look for clues as to whether or not the reviewer even likes games of the genere that the reviewed game fits into. Same with movies. A person who hates "space operas" might give Star Wars a really bad review, for example, while someone who really likes them may give it a high review.

Have you ever completely changed your mind after reading one review?

vivasuzi — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:02:47 GMT

I agree, a lot of times I am willing to live with the negatives. Like in my example, I'm willing to live with small rooms b/c I don't plan to be there long. But one review said "you're only view is of the building nextdoor" and I thought - while that kind of stinks... still was willing to live with it though.

I think you are right though, the review that changed my mind pointed out how far away the other attractions were and that I'd only be close to 1.

BTW - Just found an Awesome deal on a hotel in an Awesome location with an Awesome view - and I've read quite a few positive reviews which means that NOW I make myself stop reading reviews so I don't find any negatives that make me change my mind again!!

Have you ever completely changed your mind after reading one review?

Jo — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:45:05 GMT

Interesting questions. I know I've been swayed by one review. I think if it is strong enough and convincing enough vs. just one line - "it was great" I'd go with a negative that explains why. For ex. my juicer had some great reviews and one bad one but I went with it anyway because they bad review explained just what would happen (which it did) but I was willing to live with it because the positives made up for the one negative.

One negative review would give me pause - I recently bought something - I have no idea what right now - with mixed reviews. The negatives could have scared me away but the price was probably good (Oh maybe it was my Vera Bradly pocketbook or the jewelry - whatever) and as long as I can return it then I'll take a chance. In your case the negative review made you realize something you hadn't so that held a lot of weight in your mind. Jo

Have you ever completely changed your mind after reading one review?

vivasuzi — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:40:03 GMT

Here's the situtation: I'm researching hotels, and i was dead set on this one hotel. I read dozens of positive reviews of the hotel, dozens that said "ok the rooms are small but it's a great price and good location". The prices were unbelievably great too and I can live with small rooms.

Then suddenly I read one review that said "It was nice but I would rather have had a hotel that was more centralized between attractions A and B". Suddenly I realized, I would be going to both those attractions and I would definitely rather be in between them them closer to A and far from B! I completely changed my mind and re-started looking for hotels that were in the middle.

Has this ever happened to you?
Why do you think that one review can totally change your mind even if you read a dozen others that are all positive?
Why do you think we trust some opinions as they stand alone in one review, but other opinions we need to see in dozens of reviews before we believe them?
Are you more likely to change your mind after reading a negative review or a positive review?

I've also had this happen where I read one negative review that I just could not get over even with the most recent reviews being positive. On the opposite hand, if I read 10 negative reviews, I can't be swayed by one positive review. Your thoughts?