#Announcement - Changes to the Review Program pt.01 (Ideas for the future direction)

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#Announcement - Changes to the Review Program pt.01 (Ideas for the future direction)

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Contributor: Britt&Rich Britt&Rich
I LOVE the idea of getting more points for reviews. I personally take quite a bit of time writing my reviews, taking pictures, trying to be as thorough as possible so getting more reward for that makes me happy.

For me this is probably going to result in the ability to get more luxury toys and I'm so ok with that.

My only hesitation is with time in the community having weight in rank. I understand you have to work your way up there. For people like myself, I just found Eden within the last month or so but I really love it here. I'm not going anywhere. I don't want to be punished for only being here a month whereas others have been here for years.
03/27/2013
Contributor: Heartthrob Heartthrob
Quote:
Originally posted by Gary
Alright, please read carefully. We are NOT going to be eliminating the Review Program. I repeat, we are NOT going to be eliminating the Review Program. (For those of you who get panicky) However at this point the program does need a major overhaul. ... more
Thanks for the update.
03/27/2013
Contributor: Breas Breas
I haven't read all of the responses yet so I apologize if it has already been asked...

When you have an assignment, you get free shipping. How will this new change affect that?
03/27/2013
Contributor: SneakersAndPearls SneakersAndPearls
Oh, I love this idea! I haven't had a free assignment in months now anyway (partly due to availability, partly because I haven't been interested in things that are available). An increased discount for buyouts plus more points for reviews sounds like a fantastic trade-off.
03/27/2013
Contributor: Heartthrob Heartthrob
Quote:
Originally posted by Breas
I haven't read all of the responses yet so I apologize if it has already been asked...

When you have an assignment, you get free shipping. How will this new change affect that?
I just got a DR and free shipping was not an option. I do not know if that was a fluke or if it is part of the change.
03/27/2013
Contributor: Incendiaire Incendiaire
Quote:
Originally posted by Gary
Alright, please read carefully. We are NOT going to be eliminating the Review Program. I repeat, we are NOT going to be eliminating the Review Program. (For those of you who get panicky) However at this point the program does need a major overhaul. ... more
I like these ideas and think that they're all really good.

One thing I would like to see added though is free shipping for buyout assignments. Shipping can really push up the cost of an order, especially if you're an international customer. I always liked that free assignments came with free shipping, and often I'd take advantage of that fact and buy a few items that I wanted at the same time as I got an assignment.

The fact that buyout assignments had an associated shipping cost always lessened their appeal somewhat, so if that could be eliminated then I think it would be a fantastic result.
03/27/2013
Contributor: Breas Breas
Quote:
Originally posted by Incendiaire
I like these ideas and think that they're all really good.

One thing I would like to see added though is free shipping for buyout assignments. Shipping can really push up the cost of an order, especially if you're an international ... more
I feel the same. I'm in Canada and shipping starts at $21.99 and increases as you add items to your cart.
03/27/2013
Contributor: charmedtomeetyou charmedtomeetyou
(Review Program Mentor)
Quote:
Originally posted by Britt&Rich
I LOVE the idea of getting more points for reviews. I personally take quite a bit of time writing my reviews, taking pictures, trying to be as thorough as possible so getting more reward for that makes me happy.

For me this is probably going ... more
I understand where you're coming from, I do. I think there are excellent new contributors, who write great and detailed reviews. BUT, the length of time thing would really help to keep people from writing 30 junky reviews in a week and shooting to the top, rank wise. It follows the logic of rewarding those who have consistently added to the community for a long time, which I think makes sense.
03/27/2013
Contributor: unfulfilled unfulfilled
I've read over all of the posts, and I really like what has been said thus far. It has been increasingly complicated for my students to get reviews in the mentor program because most things had reached their limit. I usually find something to review for myself (usually lingerie) which I read in the other post was getting cut out, but I think this will make for a happier review atmosphere all around.
03/27/2013
Contributor: PassionCpl PassionCpl
Quote:
Originally posted by SneakersAndPearls
Oh, I love this idea! I haven't had a free assignment in months now anyway (partly due to availability, partly because I haven't been interested in things that are available). An increased discount for buyouts plus more points for reviews ... more
I'm the same. I quite like the new idea and even though I'd miss some free assignments, the fact is that I didn't really get many and have never requested them just for the hell of it anyway.
03/27/2013
Contributor: unfulfilled unfulfilled
Quote:
Originally posted by charmedtomeetyou
I understand where you're coming from, I do. I think there are excellent new contributors, who write great and detailed reviews. BUT, the length of time thing would really help to keep people from writing 30 junky reviews in a week and shooting ... more
Gary mentioned he'd like to keep those active in the program right now in the top tier and then as new ones came in they'd have to prove themselves to increase their tier.
03/27/2013
Contributor: XxFallenAngelxX XxFallenAngelxX
Quote:
Originally posted by charmedtomeetyou
I understand where you're coming from, I do. I think there are excellent new contributors, who write great and detailed reviews. BUT, the length of time thing would really help to keep people from writing 30 junky reviews in a week and shooting ... more
I totally agree!
03/27/2013
Contributor: charmedtomeetyou charmedtomeetyou
(Review Program Mentor)
Quote:
Originally posted by unfulfilled
Gary mentioned he'd like to keep those active in the program right now in the top tier and then as new ones came in they'd have to prove themselves to increase their tier.
Yep, I love that idea, and I agree. I was responding to the person who didn't think it should have to do with length of time at Eden, regarding new people.
03/27/2013
Contributor: Britt&Rich Britt&Rich
Quote:
Originally posted by charmedtomeetyou
I understand where you're coming from, I do. I think there are excellent new contributors, who write great and detailed reviews. BUT, the length of time thing would really help to keep people from writing 30 junky reviews in a week and shooting ... more
I see where you're coming from, too. I can see where people could abuse that.

This raises the question for me then, what changes should be made to the editing program? I'd rather not see bad reviews period, whether written by a newcomer or someone who's been around forever. For instance, if a review is really that lacking, don't publish it. If a person has multiple reviews that don't get published, being forced (geeze, I hate that word) into the mentor program.

The good reviews here really were a huge draw in as an outsider. The reviews were never "I lyke diz prawduct". I really got a feel for what someone else thought about an item - how it performed, how it held up, what to genuinely expect from what I was about to spend my money on.
03/27/2013
Contributor: XxFallenAngelxX XxFallenAngelxX
I'm excited for the new changes to take place. This will allow for those members who are truly interested in contributing to do so, without feeling like their hard work isn't recognized.

The changes will eventually even out, and it should end up working out well for everyone in the long run.
03/27/2013
Contributor: charmedtomeetyou charmedtomeetyou
(Review Program Mentor)
Quote:
Originally posted by Britt&Rich
I see where you're coming from, too. I can see where people could abuse that.

This raises the question for me then, what changes should be made to the editing program? I'd rather not see bad reviews period, whether written by a ... more
As an editor, you can't change or add to the review. You edit what you have in front of you. So...there will always be short reviews that don't have a ton of info, that have been made grammatically correct. And people now can write a bunch of them. And raise in rank. And yeah...that's what I'm talking about!

If you are a reviewer currently, as mentioned a few posts up, they are talking about "grandfathering" us all in, so it would only change for new reviewers after the change in policy.
03/27/2013
Contributor: charmedtomeetyou charmedtomeetyou
(Review Program Mentor)
Quote:
Originally posted by XxFallenAngelxX
I'm excited for the new changes to take place. This will allow for those members who are truly interested in contributing to do so, without feeling like their hard work isn't recognized.

The changes will eventually even out, and it ... more
I agree. New people either love Eden and become active here and get the perks, or they seem to peter out and fade away. If you put the time in and try to add to the community, it's nice to be rewarded. It will motivate people to jump in.
03/27/2013
Contributor: Mwar Mwar
I've been away the last 2 weeks and all I can say is WOW. There has been so much change going on. Here's my thoughts.

I'm all for an increased point payout for reviews. Sounds good.

On Monthly Assignment Status: It's a simple number's game for the monthly assignments: more reviewers = fewer free assignments available. It makes sense to do away with monthly assignments and increase the buy out discount... to an extent and depending on the circumstances. I don't intend to pose a solution but pose things to be considered.

There's going to be a "sweet spot" to the function of buyout discount vs business gains/losses. It's also a gamble for reviewers to review a new product. They judge the loss of money or points vs the potential benefit/weaknesses of their purchase. How many times do we see comments at the bottom saying people are waiting for reviews. A lot of us want to wait for products to be reviewed first.

There could be some manipulation to the buy out discount amount. We don't want it too high because business will suffer. Too low and people will not be motivated enough to buy. And lack of reviews will mean less sales on an item (since reviews on an item influence purchase). In general, a reviewed item will influence the demand for the product and then increase the efficiency of supplying products. So it will allow a business to stop carrying a product they will not sell.

That point if different for everyone. Should we reward more courageous reviewers? Should those who review the item first get a higher discount? From there, would the discount change as the item gets buyout assignments? If so, it could lower and then level off at a designated number. Should higher ranked reviewers get a higher discount?

What about toys that no one will review? Should those be handed out by the admins as assignments after a set period of days? Or should the discount go up incrementally with time until someone bites?

I think there's many more factors to think about is all.

Either way, I'll still be around during the changes! I understand change is needed to thrive even if there are bumps along the way!

03/27/2013
Contributor: Lildrummrgurl7 Lildrummrgurl7
I like these ideas. I may miss free assignments every month but a deeper buyout discount sounds lovely!
03/27/2013
Contributor: charmedtomeetyou charmedtomeetyou
(Review Program Mentor)
Quote:
Originally posted by Mwar
I've been away the last 2 weeks and all I can say is WOW. There has been so much change going on. Here's my thoughts.

I'm all for an increased point payout for reviews. Sounds good.

On Monthly Assignment Status: It's a ... more
That's why I asked about new items, and said that new items should still be pushed to those who will write detailed reviews. I think lots of people wait for at least one review to make a purchase, so it would help buyers to have at least one review as soon as possible from a person who can do it justice.

I think you're right, who wants to bite the bullet and order something new with no reviews using hard earned cash/points only to find out it's junk. Although, now that I think about it, the reward is that your review would get a lot of traffic, which might help your rank a teeny bit.
03/27/2013
Contributor: Rossie Rossie
Quote:
Originally posted by Gary
Alright, please read carefully. We are NOT going to be eliminating the Review Program. I repeat, we are NOT going to be eliminating the Review Program. (For those of you who get panicky) However at this point the program does need a major overhaul. ... more
I'm all for the new direction proposed, I've never asked for free assignments, and only use the buyout discount anyway.

I have one question:
Is there any way to determine whether a person is or is not writing a fake review? Occasionally I'll come across a brief review that screams "Fake", it shows Eden's disclaimer at the bottom, so it's definitely not a free assignment, or a buyout assignment. Can Eden figure out a way to verify that the person really owns the item, before his/her review gets published?
03/27/2013
Contributor: Munko Munko
Will the increased payout be only for assignments/advanced reviewers or all reviews submitted?

I too worry about the shipping costs, being in Canada. Unless items are very, very deeply discounted (or the user is purchasing a very expensive toy), often the shipping cost will be more than the discount and that will in turn make the product actually cost us more in the end, which I don't think will really motivate anyone to want to review often.

I think, too, being able to ship other items along with our assignments allowed some of us international customers to spend more money directly at Eden. I recently shipped a purchase along with my monthly assignment, and the shipping was only $5 less than the total of all my items....I just simply can't afford to pay double for my purchases and it would only be practical or logical when it comes to higher-end more expensive items.


I like this idea though, I just hope it doesn't too drastically affect the ability for me and other international users to continue doing reviews!
03/27/2013
Contributor: CherryGryffon CherryGryffon
While I agree changes are definitely necessary, I don't know how well outright removing free assignments would go over. Most of the people posting here are alright with it, but most if not all of the people posting here are people that hardcore follow the site, and aren't as interested in the products as the site most of the time. xD I know I care more about the site myself, too, so I'm included in that.


Maybe let free assignments be given once every 6 months or so? That way they're still there, but in order to do more frequent reviews like most of us like doing, we could do those deeper buy-outs

*Edit: And by doing this 6 months thing, we would all obviously be staggered [Leaving more available at a time] because we aren't all going to somehow log on on THE same day for the same items. xD
03/27/2013
Contributor: TheNaughtyKitchenWitch TheNaughtyKitchenWitch
This might sound really snobby but I will try and make this not sound snobby! LOL! I personally love the Free assignments because being a girl who is plus sized I have a horrible time with lingerie in the past, I would just be worried with Buy-Outs that if I buy lingerie and It doesnt fit right, then I will be stuck with it and I cant return it, with the free assignments, when lingerie came and I didnt like it, I could simply just give it away to someone or even cut it up and use the fabric, I would feel like with a buy out I wouldnt be able to get the money back if I didnt like the lingerie or it didnt fit, and I would feel bad if I sold it. I guess it would have to be very deep discounts and I would have to be able to use my points to purchase it so I wouldnt feel like I was out to much money.
03/27/2013
Contributor: TameTemptress TameTemptress
I think it sounds great, and very fair. I love the review program but find myself having spurts of available free time for reviewing. Lately, it's not been much at all. I think it takes the pressure off to not feel like I have to get a review done ASAP with a free review. I prefer to purchase the products myself and review when I am ready.
03/27/2013
Contributor: Neyko Neyko
One idea, have a 'great reviewer gift' after every so many EU review votes you become eligible for a free item with a certain price limit, not so much to review it, but more as a gift for writing outstanding reviews. I think that would give people incentive to write not only to get the points, but a great review to get something free. Perhaps something like 50 'extremely useful' votes gets a $30 item.
03/27/2013
Contributor: Sirena Sirena
Quote:
Originally posted by Gary
Alright, please read carefully. We are NOT going to be eliminating the Review Program. I repeat, we are NOT going to be eliminating the Review Program. (For those of you who get panicky) However at this point the program does need a major overhaul. ... more
It sounds like you guys have put a lot of thought into this and have come up with a very fair and reasonable solution. I admit, I will miss free products, but the increase in points sounds like a fair trade.
03/27/2013
Contributor: Ryuson Ryuson
(Review Program Mentor)
I actually have an interesting idea; how about increasing the DR program from one review to two? That way only very qualified people get to review products for free, and they're pushed at the admins discretion, but you still would give people more than 1 opinion to go off of in order to risk their points/cold, hard cash.

Just brainstorming with you guys!

Also, would this affect the Video Review Assignment program?
03/27/2013
Contributor: PropertyOfPotter PropertyOfPotter
Quote:
Originally posted by TheNaughtyKitchenWitch
This might sound really snobby but I will try and make this not sound snobby! LOL! I personally love the Free assignments because being a girl who is plus sized I have a horrible time with lingerie in the past, I would just be worried with Buy-Outs ... more
The rules for free assignments regarding lingerie has changed. See here: #Announcement - Changes for Lingerie Assignments
03/27/2013
Contributor: LadyJiyae LadyJiyae
Quote:
Originally posted by Gary
Alright, please read carefully. We are NOT going to be eliminating the Review Program. I repeat, we are NOT going to be eliminating the Review Program. (For those of you who get panicky) However at this point the program does need a major overhaul. ... more
I like the idea of having free reviews, not everyone can afford everything on this site all the time (especially when most toys get into the $100 range for something durable and fun). Though as a manger of a retail store, I fully understand the position your company is in and why you need to change the program. I think the proposed changes are acceptable but in the long run will still end up being just a band-aid. The long term goal of having the buy out assignments take over the free ones, I feel will lose you a lot of reviewers. Like I stated above, not everyone can afford it. Perhaps you could still offer the free reviews but give us a wider selection of things to do a free review on. IE more games, toys, clothing etc. I tend to see the same items over and over in the product searches and that gets really stale after a while. I've been "stuck" doing a lot of movie reviews simply because I couldn't get approval for any other item.
03/27/2013