| For this example, let's assume that you wish to learn to | | | | - Does the review include information and opinions not |
| play the piano, and are searching the Internet for | | | | found on the vendor's site? (All reviews where the |
| information. You will find many choices and many | | | | reviewer is an affiliate for the vendor will have links for |
| review sites which discuss even more choices. Your | | | | you to click on, taking you directly to the vendor's site. |
| analysis process should include all of the points(clues) | | | | Perfectly normal and to be expected.) In case you |
| discussed here. This article is more about the selection | | | | never thought about it, consider this: Vendor's love |
| process than the product or vendor. | | | | affiliates - they are outside non-employees with no |
| In case you didn't realize it, the typical Internet Product | | | | benefits, etc. who get a tiny reward (called a |
| Review site will likely steer you to the product which | | | | commission) only after a sale occurs. If no new |
| nets them the highest commission. Shocked? Don't be | | | | information is on the review site, could well be that an |
| - this is absolutely normal marketing in every aspect of | | | | actual review did not take place. Major clue. |
| life. It's all about maximizing their profit. However, and | | | | - Study the information provided, validate the customer |
| fortunately, not everyone does this. There are some | | | | testimonials if possible, and make your own decision. |
| obvious and some subtle clues which will help you | | | | Use your normal decision making process. For |
| decide who to trust, especially shopping on the Internet. | | | | example, I personally read the testimonials very |
| Don't be fearful - be informed. Read on. | | | | carefully when researching products. Do they sound |
| Been shopping in town lately? Dealt with any | | | | authentic - not made up. Can they be verified? Will the |
| commissioned sales folks lately? How about those, oh | | | | seller provide you contact details if asked? This is rare, |
| so helpful folks who keep asking if you found | | | | but sometimes occurs. |
| everything, and or, do you want to super size your | | | | - Frequently digital download products are sold with |
| order? Trying to maximize the store's profit really is | | | | 100 percent money back guarantees. The full details |
| normal and widely practiced. Nothing to be concerned | | | | are always part of the information / sales letter. They |
| about yet. | | | | are commonly placed right at the bottom end, right |
| Speaking of commissions - In all Internet purchases, the | | | | after the price information. Guarantees are always a |
| seller, also known as the vendor, pays the salesperson | | | | very important part of the purchasing decision. Another |
| (known as an affiliate or associate) a small | | | | clue to trustworthiness. Doesn't matter on review sites |
| commission. The lowest is about four (4.0) percent. | | | | - but it does matter on the vendor's site. |
| The price to the buyer doesn't change - it costs the | | | | - A good reviewer owns many, but not necessarily all |
| same where ever you go. (The price can vary a tiny | | | | of the products he reviews. When you are are |
| bit in the physical product areas, for example - | | | | deciding, remember to keep in mind what your situation |
| keyboards and pianos. This is due to volume wholesale | | | | is (your own wants, needs, desires, etc.) It's about |
| purchasing and distribution costs. The sales commission | | | | building trust and confidence. Do you feel pressured? |
| doesn't factor in this.) | | | | Another major clue. So, after lots of searching and |
| The commission usually automatically goes to the last | | | | looking at several - many websites and competing |
| affiliate site you visited before you clicked through to | | | | products, let's assume you have made a product |
| the product detail / sales page and made a purchase. | | | | selection decision and are ready to buy. Please |
| This is tracked automatically by the computers with | | | | consider giving a vote of confidence to the affiliate |
| little chunks of data called "temporary cookies." The | | | | review site that actually provided you with useful |
| vendors who transmit the cookies to your computer | | | | information. Please go back to that review site just |
| explain it all on their privacy or terms and conditions | | | | before making the actual purchase. That is what |
| web pages. It is nothing to be concerned about. It's | | | | triggers that 'cookie' thingy I mentioned earlier. And that |
| very normal and business like. Most people have never | | | | results in that small commission we talked about. And |
| actually read these pages. | | | | that is what motivates affiliates to produce meaningful |
| So, the Big Question - what distinguishes a trustworthy | | | | review sites. |
| product review site of any flavor? Listed here are | | | | I trust that I have enlightened you a bit. Shopping on the |
| critical clues. Some are more obvious than others - all | | | | Internet is quite safe, especially if you pay attention to |
| are worthy of your consideration. | | | | the clues. As always, the final choice is yours. Now |
| - First and foremost is your gut level comfort level as | | | | you know more about how to sort through all the |
| you look over a site. | | | | choices and chose the best product for you. |
| - Can you identify a human with an address and | | | | When you find the right one for you, you can purchase |
| contact information? | | | | it right away. (Remember that often the best product |
| - Does the reviewer discuss any negative aspects of | | | | does in fact, cost more. Also normal.) No waiting - |
| the product? Few products are so wonderful that | | | | parking - standing in line - all the joys of Internet |
| nothing negative can be found and pointed out to you, | | | | shopping. Fear not - Enjoy. |
| the shopper and possible customer. | | | | |