I always read consumer reviews when considering the purchase of a complex item, like a computer, camera, TV and other expensive things. It's really frustrating at times, since some products really have nothing on the Internet to help a consumer.

For example, I replaced my fireplace insert a couple years ago with something called a "pellet stove." Despite costing nearly $3,000 for the device plus installation, there was absolutely nothing on the Internet to help a consumer choose this product. There is now. Judging from the traffic that review gets, there are LOTS of other interested consumers.

So I always try to read reviews of expensive things like that, before I purchase. I also like to browse random reviews and to see what new members are reviewing.

--Bob

I am a researcher. Before any decision we always research our options and pick the most appropriate solution. The only time I didn't research it (my mom talked me out of it) left me with a useless vacuum just months after puchasing it (see my Hoover review!). 

I too prefer to read reviews before seeing a movie. My husband and I just don't have time to go out to see movies, so each movie has to count.

I think for me I want to be sure I'm making a good choice for the money. There are times when I go overboard and just make things complicated though. there was a debate between two cameras, and of course I couldn't decide.

Honestly, when it comes to my own life I only read reviews for big budget items like TVs, cell phones, large kitchen appliances, etc.  Although I like to review beauty, pet, and food products, I rarely read them myself.  My reviews on those topics get lots of reads, though, so there are people out there interested in reading them.

I do have some reviewers who write such great reviews, that I'll read almost anything that they write.  I may not be looking for a new car, aluminum foil, or trip to Colombia, but I enjoy reading what they write nonetheless.

I know that most "professional" reviews are based on very limited experience. I like to read consumer reviews  - esp those where someone knows the topic area and has some time under the belt with the product.

CyndiA said…

I know that most "professional" reviews are based on very limited experience. I like to read consumer reviews  - esp those where someone knows the topic area and has some time under the belt with the product.

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That's a good point. I actually review some professional video gear for a magazine and I might spend a 3-4 hours with the item before I write the review. I just reviewed an $8,000 video camera and used it for no more than four hours. I have a professional video background, so I know what to look for and how to evaluate a product like that. But the point is that a professional reviewer may not have nearly the product experience that a consumer has.

--Bob

bkovacs said…

I always read consumer reviews when considering the purchase of a complex item, like a computer, camera, TV and other expensive things. It's really frustrating at times, since some products really have nothing on the Internet to help a consumer.

For example, I replaced my fireplace insert a couple years ago with something called a "pellet stove." Despite costing nearly $3,000 for the device plus installation, there was absolutely nothing on the Internet to help a consumer choose this product. There is now. Judging from the traffic that review gets, there are LOTS of other interested consumers.

So I always try to read reviews of expensive things like that, before I purchase. I also like to browse random reviews and to see what new members are reviewing.

--Bob

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I can't really improve on what Bob says, though sometimes many of those consumer reviews don't always jive with the facts and have sometimes even steered me the wrong way,

Most of the time, I read consumer reviews on products I am planning on buying, especially such items as Blu-ray players, personal computers, digital cameras and - sometimes - movies or box sets I have never seen but want to know more about before I buy them.

A case in point: United 93. I didn't see that in theaters when it was in theaters three years ago, and I didn't buy the DVD right away either.  I wasn't going to get it at all, but recent events have spurred me to get it.  However, before making my final decision, I read a few reviews, including one here and one in Epinions.

Most of the time, though, I rarely read book or DVD reviews to help me make a purchasing decision.  Most of the movies in my collection are either ones I saw in theaters and/or TV and I already liked them, or are of movies I wanted to see but missed out on. 

I read reviews of lots of things. I always read them of exercise stuff because real people tell it like it is. I find reviews of exercise DVDs and equipment by real people as opposed to professional reviews much more accurate and helpful. I look at reviews of beauty products but I often buy badly rated stuff anyway because I'm crazy like that.

I always look at reviews for things like cell phones and other electronics. I just bought a laptop and relied on both consumer and professional reviews to help me make my choice.

I like pictures in reviews especially of things that consumers post themselves.

I honestly don't rely heavily on movie reviews because I know what I like and people are all so different. I don't go to many movies in theaters and, when I do, I generally go to ones I want to see regardless of what other people have to say about them.

I definitely do read reviews though and have been both persuaded and turned off of a product, website, or service just by reading what consumers had to say.

I think it is amazing how easily swayed I can be after reading a review. I was so excited to see Couples Retreat in theaters but it only received 12% positive reviews at Rotten Tomatoes, so now I won't go!

I must also point out that, strictly as a review writer, I try to read both professionally-written and non-professionally-written reviews.  I think there are pluses and minuses to both styles of reviews, but I read them so I can improve my own critical writings.

I read reviews of electronics before I buy them. I read my friends' reviews on here often, but the ones that show up in the community timeline... I only read ones I am interested in, but even if the review isn't something I would normally read, a good sound bite will always suck me in. When I used to lay out my college newspaper, it was endlessly annoying that at 3am, I had to re-write the headlines or put ones on stories with none at all.

I really appreciate a good sound bite. Sometimes my reviews sit in the drafts until I can come up with a good one.

I have to say...in all honesty...that I'm sort of a review snob.  Maybe it's not what anyone wants to hear from me, but if I see a review that has no interesting "sound bite" (headline or title), is full of grammar, spelling and factual errors, I simply will pass it by.

Perhaps it's because as a former copy editor and current freelancer/screenwriter and online reviewer I find poor writing unappealing, but I often find myself wanting to rewrite or revise lots of reviews until they're somewhat readable.  And to me, it's frustrating because I try to give all my reviews a certain sense of style.....

Thus, I don't usually stray too far from my Friends' list as far as review-reading, ratng and commenting are concerned.

Fardreamer said…

I have to say...in all honesty...that I'm sort of a review snob.  Maybe it's not what anyone wants to hear from me, but if I see a review that has no interesting "sound bite" (headline or title), is full of grammar, spelling and factual errors, I simply will pass it by.

Perhaps it's because as a former copy editor and current freelancer/screenwriter and online reviewer I find poor writing unappealing, but I often find myself wanting to rewrite or revise lots of reviews until they're somewhat readable.  And to me, it's frustrating because I try to give all my reviews a certain sense of style.....

Thus, I don't usually stray too far from my Friends' list as far as review-reading, ratng and commenting are concerned.

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well, I appreciate your honesty in owning up to being a review snob. glad I made the "short list" ha ha ha (which I prefer to the pedestrian "LOL")

I fid that a well written Consumer Review brings a real-world perspective to the reviewed item, a view often overlooked by professional reviewers.

I particularly like reviews that are written after  a reasonable period of ownership.

Professional reviews are most often written with a very limited use experience.  That makes a big difference to most consumers who are most interested in how their investment will stand up a year or two (or more) after acquisition.