• Point Counterpoint

    Verizon's Policy Blog V. SmarterChild

    Verizon's so-called "policy blog" is a grotesquely self-serving marketing orifice, perhaps the worst corporate blog we've ever read. We decided to stack Verizon's inane sales schmaltz against the internet's preeminent bullshit-spewing chatbot, SmarterChild.... More »

    12:00 AM on Sat Oct 11 2008
    By Carey
    11,155 views, 36 comments

  • don't buy

    Don't Buy Blog-Hyped Gadgets

    Former Consumerist Editor Joel Johnson takes to task so-called "bleeding edge" consumer electronic mavens, and the bloggers that feed them tripe. In a recent screed, he advises waiting for the early adopters to make the pricey mistakes for you, "before taking a modest plunge."
    Stop buying this crap. Just stop it. You don't need it. Wait a year until the reviews come out and the other suckers too addicted to having the very latest and greatest buy it, put up a review, and have moved on to something else. Stop buying broken products and then shrugging your shoulders when it doesn't do what it is supposed to. Stop buying products that serve any other master than you. Use older stuff that works. Make it yourself. Only buy new stuff from companies that have proven themselves good servants of their customers in the past. Complaining online about this stuff helps, but really, just stop buying it.
    More »

    6:15 PM on Tue Feb 13 2007
    By Ben Popken
    182 views, 7 comments

    Latest by rasbach: @Tonguetied: We call those beta testers where I'm from. All those people in line waiting for a product release-- they're more »

  • flogs

    Retailers Flog About Their Own Wares, Biased Blogging Becoming Commonplace

    The Wall Street Journal has an article detailing a type of flogging that is becoming more commonplace, the retail fashion flog:
    Ken Downing might look like any other reporter at the New York shows. But he's the fashion director at Neiman Marcus, the Dallas-based department-store chain that caters to well-to-do shoppers. Starting today, Mr. Downing will post his reviews of around 18 shows at New York's fashion week on the Neiman Web site....
    Unlike other media covering the shows, these commentators are in the awkward position of reviewing their own suppliers — and their aim is more to boost sales rather than offer impartial critique.
    Does it work? Absolutely. When Downing links his comments to specific merchandise the store sees a "sales bump" that exceeds expectations, according to a Neiman Marcus spokesperson. As shady as Ken is, least he's honest about his identity and job function as he lavishes his purple prose on nearly everything he sees. More »

    11:54 AM on Mon Feb 12 2007
    By Meg Marco
    155 views, 8 comments

    Latest by phrygian: I thought a flog was a "fake blog." If the blogger is honest about his/her position and motives, it seems more »

  • flogs

    EU Bans Flogs

    A new European directive bans businesses from creating fake blogs, or posting positive reviews about themselves without revealing their identity. More »

    11:28 AM on Mon Feb 12 2007
    By Ben Popken
    93 views, Comment

  • alliwantforxmasisapsp

    Lucky Golden Shit Awards Shipped

    — BEN POPKEN More »
  • alliwantforxmasisapsp

    Unboxed: Sony PSP Flog Lucky Golden Shit Awards

    The lucky golden shit awards for the best flog of 2006 have arrived! More »
  • escada

    Escada Perfume Flogs, OMG

    Escada's new fragrance has a fake reality show to go along with it, and our tipster sends along some flogs being written "as" the characters in the fake reality show. Can't wait to read the online ramblings of three "young, rich, beautiful women" and the "striking soft-hearted artist and the heir to his family's fortune," that Escada just happened to send on vacation so they could film it? You're in luck. More »

    10:48 AM on Mon Jan 15 2007
    By Meg Marco
    220 views, 2 comments

    Latest by bndocksnt: Is this a joke? And isn't there some FCC regulation requiring flogs admit what they are now? Either more »

  • alliwantforxmasisapsp

    'All I Want For Xmas Is A PSP' Wins Best Flog 2006

    Based on reader votes, we anoint Sony's Alliwantforxmasisapsp as the best flog of 2006. More »
  • alliwantforxmasisapsp

    Vote For Best Flog 2006: Sony PSP vs. Walmart vs. McDonald's

    UPDATE: Results are in! More »
  • contests

    Announcing The Floggies

    Since nobody should be allowed to move on from their mistakes, we're holding a knife fight to see who had the "best" flog of 2006. We are pleased to announce... The Floggies. More »

    10:03 AM on Wed Dec 20 2006
    By Ben Popken
    286 views, 12 comments