Thread: Putting things into perspective, or why some reviews make me sad

Chaps,

Warning, rant ahead.

When I joined this forum, we were still using the old forum software, and the reviews were regular forum posts. Since then, we have upgraded to a proper review system that allows for ratings. When we set the rating system up, we spent a lot of time and effort coming up with categories that would help make reviews actually meaningful.

When I say 'meaningful', I mean, 'the review allows me to relate to the product, helps me put it into perspective, influences my buying decision, or inspires me to try the product.' Instead, I am noticing an increasing number of reviews that basically say, 'This is the best stuff ever!!!'

Now, we all know what multiple exclamation marks tell you about an author, but that set aside, a review like that means nothing to me. Absolutely nothing. Why? There are a number of things I absolutely must know before I even bother to read a review:

1. What is the author's level of experience? So you just bought your first razor, and you think it's the bomb, because it has a silly name, cheap dysfunctional scales, and cost your rich parents an arm and a leg. Good for you, but do I care? Positively not. I have been shaving with straight razors for two and a half years in a row now, often twice a day. Is my technique good enough to pass a final judgement on a razor? Probably not. But I keep making that point sufficiently clear in order to avoid misunderstandings.
2. What is the author's level of expertise? So you're new, and you just bought your first cream, and you think it's the bomb. Good for you, but the only thing that this tells me is that you have a long way ahead. Even if you were reviewing one of the best creams I know (Castle Forbes, Caraceni), your review would be meaningless to me, because you don't know what else is there. I have shaved with about 100 different soaps and creams by now. I think I have a fairly thorough understanding of them. But more importantly, I can put them into perspective. How can you review a product if you do not know how several competing products perform?
3. What is the aim of your review? So you just got yourself a hone, and you think it is the best thing since the invention of the straight razor. Good for you, but why are you telling me this? When I review a product, my aim is always to enable the reader to make informed buying decision (including, of course, the decision not to buy the product). Where appropriate, I try to identify a target group, too. For example, I believe that beginners should get the best equipment available. But Castle Forbes and Caraceni cost a lot of money, and it is harder to sell opened jars of cream than used razors. Therefore, I keep recommending excellent soaps and creams that cost little to beginners. The same applies to strops: I would always recommend one particular, very expensive strop to experts who already own 3" strops. I would never recommend it to beginners, because it is a single purpose, single side strop. 'This is the best strop ever, go get it!!!!' is tantamount to 'Don't read this review!!!!' to me.
4. Do you understand the significance of your review? So you just got yourself some highly expensive artisan product, and the manufacturer asked to you to review the product in any forum available. Well, good for the manufacturer. But what about the readers? This is SRP, the leading straight shaving resource on the internet. We are older, bigger, but most importantly more sophisticated than any other straight shaving forum. We retain the most honemeisters, we offer the most accurate and up-to-date information, and despite our size we are able to accommodate the needs and interests of beginners and experts alike. Therefore, our reviews carry a certain weight. Because especially beginners form their buying decisions based upon them.
5. Why do you not use the ratings? So you just found the holy grail of straight shaving, and want to share the love. Great. But how am I supposed to know what exactly is is you are telling me? 'Super smooth shave!!!!', 'tremendous puppy!!!111', 'this little suckers performs like a dream!!!!'. Well, duh. On a scale from Zeepk to Dovo, where exactly is it? The rating buttons are there for one simple reason: If you do not use them, you are telling me, 'don't even bother, Robin, because I don't care enough to make up my mind.' Which is fine by me, but not necessarily good for more unsuspecting readers.
6. Why do you not use the review forum? So you really, really need to share the love. Uhhhh... then why do you not write a review? There is a product discussion forum, and there is a review forum. I do not want to wade through poorly written puff pieces about the latest, greatest, super special mega product in the product discussion forum. Really.

So there.

Regards,
Robin