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Fake Reviews

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fake reviews

Everydaydeals Bribes User To Remove Neutral Feedback

Here's yet another story of an online store bribing customers to remove less-than-stellar feedback.
After receiving two defective "new" headsets and a third one that was missing packaging materials, Lance left EveryDayDeals neutral feedback. EverydayDeals then offered to give Lance a partial refund, but only if he withdrew his non-thumbs-up feedback. Lance's email, and EveryDayDeals bribe note, inside... More »

10:48 AM on Tue May 27 2008
By Ben Popken
6,812 views, 35 comments

TheCellShop.net told Network World that its email trying to bribe customers to submit perfect reviews was "improperly worded" and they "are now offering $5.00 for anybody who leaves a review whether it be good or bad." [Network World]

11 comments

Cameta Camera tried to bribe a customer $75 to take down a negative Amazon review. Hmm, this could be a potentially lucrative new pastime. [Dethroner]

7 comments

complaints

MyGearStore Bribes Customer To Remove Amazon Feedback

"MyGearStore," a seller on Amazon, tried to bribe reader Michael into remove less-than-stellar feedback. Michael writes, "There were some problems with the order, and I gave them neutral feedback (which was pretty generous)." They said they would give him a partial refund if he took down his feedback. He complained to Amazon, who didn't reply except with a "thanks for emailing us" and to MyGearStore, who didn't respond. One tool consumers use to evaluate the slew of online retailers out there is by looking through feedback left by other customers. If stores are trying to pay off customers to get rid of negative feedback, one, they're stupid because they're going to get caught. Two, it means you should be suspicious if the feedback for one store, product, or seller is overwhelmingly positive. Critical reading, it's a good ability to have. The original bribe note sent by MyGearStore, inside.. More »

9:20 AM on Tue May 6 2008
By Ben Popken
3,498 views, 32 comments

Latest by TechnoDestructo: @iEddie: Don't remove them, particularly on resellerratings, just put in big bold letters "THIS VENDOR HAS BEEN CAUGHT BRIBING PEOPLE FOR GOOD REVIEWS." more »

fake reviews

ResellerRatings Cracks Down On TheCellShop.net's Review Bribing

The CEO of ResellerRatings, Scott Wainner, emailed us to say they're busting TheCellShop for bribing customers to submit perfect reviews on his site. He wrote:

ResellerRatings does not condone fake reviews. For the past 13 years, we have worked hard to develop anti-fraud tools, both automated and manual, and we disable fraudulent reviews every day. When we heard about the Cell Shop's actions, we immediately began contacting all Cell Shop reviewers to verify that they were not, in fact, offered money for their positive reviews, and to obtain proof of their valid transactions (order invoices, credit card statements, etc) and we have disabled reviews where money was offered for positive reviews.

Word up Steve-o, make them go outside and pick out their own switch from the hickory tree.

(Photo: Getty)

9:31 PM on Mon May 5 2008
By Ben Popken
2,273 views, 14 comments

fake reviews

TheCellShop.net Caught Bribing Customers To Submit "Perfect" Reviews

If you use resellerratings.com to check out companies before doing business with them, don't take any perfect ratings for TheCellShop.net as legitimate. A reader forwarded us the following email that shows they bribe their customers to leave them perfect ratings in exchange for a $5 coupon. More »

8:33 AM on Mon May 5 2008
By Chris Walters
3,968 views, 22 comments