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

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!!

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.

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.