Product dimensions, material, properties...What to include? Is it repetitive?

Contributor: Epiphora Epiphora
Quote:
Originally posted by Victoria
I think as reviewers start 'filling their plates' so to speak, with assignments from several retailers and manufacturers, they tend to find one general way to review that works for them across all their assignments, even if it is not the norm ... more
"Can't be bothered"? That's not why I don't include certain info. I don't include it because I feel it makes my reviews boring. I figure if someone wants a review covering all the info listed in this thread, they can find it elsewhere.
06/15/2009
Contributor: Epiphora Epiphora
Quote:
Originally posted by Adriana Ravenlust
The way I took it, SD was saying because we are getting the toys for free that we should write a very thorough review but I do also agree that reviews are about personal experiences, of course. If they weren't, we would never actually -use- the ... more
I agree that we should write thorough reviews. However, I don't like reviews that privilege specs over personal experiences. So I try to write reviews that *I* would want to read. If I read the first 3 paragraphs of a review and it's all specs... I really just want to stop reading.
06/15/2009
Contributor: Nashville Nashville
Quote:
Originally posted by Adriana Ravenlust
The way I took it, SD was saying because we are getting the toys for free that we should write a very thorough review but I do also agree that reviews are about personal experiences, of course. If they weren't, we would never actually -use- the ... more
I believe 100% that reviews should be thorough. A lot of us have been here long enough to figure out more about materials, safety concern, etc. A year ago, a lot of things weren't even covered. As the community gets bigger, I think we've all grown and have become more informed... we've transcended beyond just basic reviewers... so our reviews should no longer be so basic.

I really think there is a huge importance in being through. Some times it comes off as dry but the experience section, to me, should hold all the juicy bits. This is what I've tried to stick to for myself, it doesn't work as well for anyone else but this is the way I prefer to do it and when I see the same style emulated I'm incredibly receptive towards it.
06/15/2009
Contributor: Nashville Nashville
Quote:
Originally posted by Epiphora
Well... I have to say I disagree with a lot of you. I certainly don't mind very thorough reviews, but I personally might shoot myself if I had to include all that information in every review I write. Repeating cleaning instructions, for instance, ... more
I think we're obligated to include as much as we can- but when I say this I mean mainly description reviews. As I said before- those who bought their own toys should feel free to include whatever they want to and not have anything held against them.

However, a review in exchange for a toy, should really be chock full of necessary information. If someone says it felt good and thick- why? Why did it feel good? Why was it thick? - was it because of the 4.5 inch circumference? Little details like that and length, material can be included into a review without seeming like it's full of unnecessary, overwhelming information.

As far as cleaning instruction goes, your review may be the first thing a customer sees on the site. It takes a sentence or two to say, "hey, this is a glass toy and it can be boiled, washed in the dishwasher, or washed with toy cleaner." It's a small sacrifice to make if it impacts a customer's purchase.

This is the way I see thing, clearly, I'm not one of popular opinion because I like to go to "extremes" but it's what I prefer and I like to see.
06/15/2009
Contributor: Nashville Nashville
Quote:
Originally posted by Victoria
I think as reviewers start 'filling their plates' so to speak, with assignments from several retailers and manufacturers, they tend to find one general way to review that works for them across all their assignments, even if it is not the norm ... more
I know my first reviews on the site were absolute GARBAGE, my first few months here I wasn't very good at all. But as the community grew and people who knew more about material safety, porosity, etc became members, I learned from them and changed. I adopted a standard for myself that I tried and still try to maintain. Members who knew about things I did not, passed on their knowledge to me and I feel like I have a certain duty to pass it on to others. I didn't know anything about phthalates 2 years ago and I wish I had from the studies being conducted on how they potentially cause cancer. I feel obligated to bring points like that up now if it's necessary, whether in my review or comments.

It's all about growth and progression; as we get more and more people on here every day, I think standards have changed or may change. A lot of reviewers have adopted a "body safe" approach and no longer feel the same about jelly, rubber, or "unsafe" material toys, etc. And as I'm someone who really didn't have a standard when it came to the reviewing process 2 years, even 1 year ago- I'm changing too. With all the new reviewers joining the program every day we all need to try to stay ahead of the curve and stay on top of our game.
06/15/2009
Contributor: Nashville Nashville
Quote:
Originally posted by Epiphora
I agree that we should write thorough reviews. However, I don't like reviews that privilege specs over personal experiences. So I try to write reviews that *I* would want to read. If I read the first 3 paragraphs of a review and it's all ... more
That's why I feel there is an experience section. The experience section to me- is for the experience I personally had with the toy. I have that entire block to fill up just about Me and My new toy.
06/15/2009
Contributor: Epiphora Epiphora
But my reviews don't exist just for customers. And I'm talking about my blog reviews, here. I don't write with "the customer" in mind. I do review-writing for fun, because I enjoy writing. If I think too much about "the customer" it becomes really not fun anymore.

As for the "experience" section, that only seems to make sense for me with description reviews. Otherwise, I'm putting my experiences in the regular section, where I believe they belong.
06/15/2009
Contributor: Nashville Nashville
Quote:
Originally posted by Epiphora
But my reviews don't exist just for customers. And I'm talking about my blog reviews, here. I don't write with "the customer" in mind. I do review-writing for fun, because I enjoy writing. If I think too much about "the ... more
This is a standard I only hold for onsite reviews and really only description reviews. Blog reviews should be done however the author deems necessary and their unique styles should really shine. The only time I have anything negative to say is that when those who do offsite reviews for EF, write around 200 words or just barely above and don't even really talk about the product, how they used it, or what it did. It's irritating when someone writes an offsite review to only get traffic to their blog or promote their blog with little regard to the product they're using to pave the way.

The description reviews should really be the most informational reviews a customer could ever read as they're what is basically selling the product. Other onsite reviews should adhere to certain standards as well but should not be brought to the informational extremes like description reviews.
06/15/2009
Contributor: Mamastoys Mamastoys
Quote:
Originally posted by Pumpkin Lady
You know what, that's a damn good point about timing batteries. I mean, some have eaten up my batteries sooner than others, but that's ALL relative.
That is all I try to find out...if a toy is super hungry for battery juice, then I don't want it. I don't expect anyone to time how long they last- I sure don't time it. But if they say in their review "the batteries died almost as soon as I put them in" then I want to know if that is minutes or hours later..
Maybe I should stop asking anything about batteries because that does seem to be my big hangup...
06/15/2009
Contributor: Nashville Nashville
Quote:
Originally posted by Mamastoys
That is all I try to find out...if a toy is super hungry for battery juice, then I don't want it. I don't expect anyone to time how long they last- I sure don't time it. But if they say in their review "the batteries died almost as ... more
But if it's important to you, you need to keep asking! If battery life is influential to a purchase than be sure to comment away asking about it. You don't want to buy something and then realize it ate batteries left and right, ultimately left with a toy you don't love, when another reviewer that had tried the toy could have said something first.
06/15/2009
Contributor: Mamastoys Mamastoys
Quote:
Originally posted by Victoria
I think as reviewers start 'filling their plates' so to speak, with assignments from several retailers and manufacturers, they tend to find one general way to review that works for them across all their assignments, even if it is not the norm ... more
You know, a year ago I rarely read reviews or asked any questions.. I have tried to be more active and participate more and by doing so, I've been asking more questions..
06/15/2009
Contributor: Mamastoys Mamastoys
Quote:
Originally posted by Epiphora
But my reviews don't exist just for customers. And I'm talking about my blog reviews, here. I don't write with "the customer" in mind. I do review-writing for fun, because I enjoy writing. If I think too much about "the ... more
I guess I only think "customer information" because I only write for on here..not anywhere else. I hadn't thought about people who uses their reviews on their blogs. I guess you would look at it differently. Thanks for making me think about that..
06/15/2009
Contributor: Mamastoys Mamastoys
Quote:
Originally posted by Epiphora
But my reviews don't exist just for customers. And I'm talking about my blog reviews, here. I don't write with "the customer" in mind. I do review-writing for fun, because I enjoy writing. If I think too much about "the ... more
I guess I only think "customer information" because I only write for on here..not anywhere else. I hadn't thought about people who uses their reviews on their blogs. I guess you would look at it differently. Thanks for making me think about that..
06/15/2009
Contributor: Mamastoys Mamastoys
I do not know why the last post posted twice...gremlins telling me to get off of here!!
06/15/2009
Contributor: Victoria Victoria
Quote:
Originally posted by Nashville
This is a standard I only hold for onsite reviews and really only description reviews. Blog reviews should be done however the author deems necessary and their unique styles should really shine. The only time I have anything negative to say is that ... more
I completely agree.
06/15/2009
Contributor: Pumpkin Lady Pumpkin Lady
Quote:
Originally posted by Mamastoys
That is all I try to find out...if a toy is super hungry for battery juice, then I don't want it. I don't expect anyone to time how long they last- I sure don't time it. But if they say in their review "the batteries died almost as ... more
No that's a great point, I guess that's never happened to me so it didn't occur to me. That would be a good thing to include.
06/15/2009
Contributor: Rockin' Rockin'
Wow, I come home from work and there's two whole pages of posts! Awesome.

Just so we're all clear, this poll/discussion was originally started for unverified and verified reviews. I wasn't talking about Description Reviews or Surprise Me's or any other "very first time" reviews (I know some Verified's are, but...whatever). I like the conversation that has gone on so far, but if we could stay away from debating what should be in Description Reviews, that'd be great. There's another whole category for that.

I agree with those of you who write for the customer, because there's only one reason I'm going to read a review, and that's if I'm considering purchasing the item. The only exceptions here are reviews on items that made the Weekly Round Up or have been otherwise touted as hilarious/entertaining . And I guess I read reviews on here just to read reviews and vote/comment, but I think that's different. (Hope that makes sense)

This isn't a "let's bash people who post questions" post, either, and I think y'all get that. I just wanted some opinions on product pages and reviews and how y'all felt about including stuff. I also feel that being thorough is definitely the way to go with verified reviews, but I kind of have the opinion that all reviews are equal, and should be equally useful, so I'm conflicted for the unverified ones.
06/15/2009
Contributor: Sammi Sammi
I think that writing a lot of descriptive reviews, you get used to putting in all of that information in a not-so-personal way. Sometimes I find myself totally in that mode and not putting in personal details and elaborating a lot on the specifications when writing other reviews. Which probably makes a lot of my reviews dry .
06/15/2009
Contributor: Backseat Boohoo Backseat Boohoo
It's not necessarily stimulating to include dry information about cleaning, material issues, etcetera...but I always remind myself that not everybody is as well-versed in sex toys as many of the reviewers are, and I'm sure it would be easier for a newbie or the average sex toy owner with only a couple of toys to read all about general care and other such stuff in one place.
06/15/2009
Contributor: Backseat Boohoo Backseat Boohoo
Also, I agree about the separation between blog reviews and reviews hosted on toy websites. I am more general and laid-back on my blog because I figure the average reader already knows a good deal of what I'm talking about.
06/15/2009
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
Quote:
Originally posted by Nashville
This is a standard I only hold for onsite reviews and really only description reviews. Blog reviews should be done however the author deems necessary and their unique styles should really shine. The only time I have anything negative to say is that ... more
I've noticed this more with reviewers whose blogs are not sex-only blogs.
06/16/2009
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
Quote:
Originally posted by Mamastoys
That is all I try to find out...if a toy is super hungry for battery juice, then I don't want it. I don't expect anyone to time how long they last- I sure don't time it. But if they say in their review "the batteries died almost as ... more
I think in all the toys I've had, I've only ever have one use batteries noticeably fast. Most toys do NOT suck up juice that fast, in my experience.
06/16/2009
Contributor: Mamastoys Mamastoys
Quote:
Originally posted by Adriana Ravenlust
I think in all the toys I've had, I've only ever have one use batteries noticeably fast. Most toys do NOT suck up juice that fast, in my experience.
Most of mine don't either..that is why when I see it in a review, I ask about it..
06/16/2009
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
Quote:
Originally posted by Mamastoys
Most of mine don't either..that is why when I see it in a review, I ask about it..
See a mention of it or..?
06/16/2009
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
Quote:
Originally posted by Nashville
That's why I feel there is an experience section. The experience section to me- is for the experience I personally had with the toy. I have that entire block to fill up just about Me and My new toy.
I personally hate the experience section. I'd rather work specs and experience in fluidly (and I prefer people who can do that - description reviews being an exception, of course) but I don't like to split up my reviews, period. The only time I ever use the experience section is in off-site reviews or if I cannot fit my review into the general section. This was the case with my review on the purple bondage kit. I had a lot to say simply because there were several pieces and each sucked hardcore. It was SO difficult for me to figure out what constituted as experience because I was simply experiencing poor quality. But I didn't have a lot of choice because of the word limit. (even using the experience section, I had to trim it)
06/16/2009
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
Quote:
Originally posted by Rockin'
Wow, I come home from work and there's two whole pages of posts! Awesome.

Just so we're all clear, this poll/discussion was originally started for unverified and verified reviews. I wasn't talking about Description Reviews or ... more
"I agree with those of you who write for the customer, because there's only one reason I'm going to read a review, and that's if I'm considering purchasing the item."

I read almost every review posted because.. that's just part of the community. I know I'm not alone because many of us here read and comments on reviews simpyl to be supportive and maybe to support our ranks. So maybe that explains why some of us may feel certain things are more repetitive - because we read more reviews? Because we don't just read as customers. Frankly, I think more reviewers read reviews than customers ever will. It's just the nature of this community and while it doesn't mean we should write sloppy reviews (and I'm not saying anyone here does), it does give you something to think about.
06/16/2009
Contributor: Rockin' Rockin'
Quote:
Originally posted by Adriana Ravenlust
I personally hate the experience section. I'd rather work specs and experience in fluidly (and I prefer people who can do that - description reviews being an exception, of course) but I don't like to split up my reviews, period. The only time ... more
I like working the specs and experience in together, too. I like it if I get to the end of a review and it hits me that they've worked everything all together. I don't like dividing my reviews, but I'll do it if I hit the word limit, as you mentioned.
06/16/2009
Contributor: Rockin' Rockin'
Quote:
Originally posted by Adriana Ravenlust
"I agree with those of you who write for the customer, because there's only one reason I'm going to read a review, and that's if I'm considering purchasing the item."

I read almost every review posted because.. ... more
At 100+ reviews a week here on Eden, I definitely don't even make a dent in all the ones published. I read some here and there, and I wish I could read more sometimes for the sake of gaining knowledge and to be more active. I tried to distinguish what I meant, which was: as someone who buys sex toys, it's not as helpful to me to read a ton of reviews just to read them, but as a reviewer, it is helpful. If I see a toy on someone's blog and it doesn't look good from the initial picture, or for whatever reason, I probably won't read their blog review. (I do have a weakness for video reviews, though ^_^ )
06/16/2009
Contributor: Rocky LaFemme Rocky LaFemme
I'm new to the review program and one of the things I love most about this web site is how the specs are so well described on their page. So it never occurred to me to include that type of information in my reviews until people asked me questions. I try to write the reviews that don't focus mostly on specs over personal experiences. The personal experience is what will get me to buy an item I often would overlook b/c the specs didn't appeal to me. I look for and try to write reviews with what I was able to do with it, what was surprising to me. Non sterile info that I didn't get from reading the product page. Stuff I might not have noticed or thought by looking at the picture or reading the info already given on the product page.
But to each his own and variety is great
06/17/2009
Contributor: Rocky LaFemme Rocky LaFemme
Quote:
Originally posted by Mamastoys
That is all I try to find out...if a toy is super hungry for battery juice, then I don't want it. I don't expect anyone to time how long they last- I sure don't time it. But if they say in their review "the batteries died almost as ... more
Great point they should add that to the sound and power selection of the review rate the toys battery life. I know since finding this site I try to buy toys that are rechargeable or I have rechargeable batteries for.
06/17/2009