Rating reviews

I had never realised before (because I don't rate my reviews) but no matter how many people rank my reviews useful or extremely useful there's always one person rating it completely useless. Sometimes I wonder at the logic behind the rating if 20 something people get something from the reviews while 1 person seems to have some chip on their shoulder.

Does it have to be anonymous? Or can there be some reasoning behind the ratings? Or am I just completely retarded?
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I agree! It would be nice to see what element of my review caused someone to hit that "Completely useless" rating so that I can make my reviews more useful. Also, I don't think you should be able to rate a review unless you are a logged in member of EF. Your account information would not be linked to your rating, but that would keep random people from hopping by the website and giving low ratings as some type of game. less

I agree! I fret when someone finds any of my reviews less than helpful because I want to do as best as I can and I don't know what I did wrong if someone just clicks a button and doesn't comment. I think one way to help prevent nonconstructive criticism would be to have an optional comment box when you go to rate. That way, your rating would be posted along with an anonymous reason for it. less

Hmm. I udnerstand how this can be frustrating though I don't know if it should be required for people to log in. What if it was just a vote from a random shopper? That could discourage some visitors, I think.

But Sienna, I just checked your reviews and it seems only the books have poor ratings like that so I wouldn't worry too much. In fact, I am extremely picky but thought your review of "Safe Word" was very well done and the inclusion of some writing is really helpful as well.

Perhaps some people didn't like your mention of Sade? (Although the word is attributed to him, many BDSM practitioners feel he was working on the abuse and insanity side of things). I think I'm grasping as straws with that one. LOL

Really, though. They're good reviews so I wouldn't worry about it too much. You cannot please everyone and it is a little annoying but obviously the majority felt it was useful. less

Doesn't usefulness apply to if the review is useful, not if it is entertaining? I can't bring myself to rate a extremely well written and funny review as "extremely useful" when it includes little or no actual info about the product. It is nice to read witty reviews, but I prefer to learn about the toy as I'm not there just for entertainment. I don't think we write the reviews to make shoppers laugh, or to turn them on. I feel the purpose of a review is to give a shopper enough detail about it that they can make an informed purchase they feel good about and won't end up regretting. The review ratings are meant to rate the "usefulness" of the review, not the "eroticism" or "entertainment" value of the reviews. If eden wanted people to rate those things, then they would change the wording of the ratings. If I think a review is particularly funny or hot, I include a comment about that in the comments section.

As far as why the out of place "not useful at all" ratings...I think it happens to most people. I've got one on nearly every review I've done. It is annoying as hell, but I think most everyone can see past the few bad ratings that are out of place. There has been talk about this for a few months now, and I was assured by eden that they are looking into making comments for negative votes mandatory while remaining anonymous. I think leaving comments on poorly written reviews in important. I don't come out and say "wow, what a pile of stinking poo!!" but I do leave comments asking details that were left out, even if I personally know the answer. Say nothing is mentioned about lube use, I will leave a comment asking what lubes are safe to use with that toy. While I already know the answer, many shoppers may not. It gets kinda old leaving comments like "this toy isn't safe for anal play" or "make sure you use a condom on that between partners" but it is something that should be included and there are still many people out there who honestly don't know any better yet. Just think of how many people we are saving from getting toys lost up their bums! less

Well, gotta second Bulma.

I've seen some really well written....indeed, enviably well written, reviews fail to include enough info a bout the toy. Sure, I enjoyed the read, and possibly greatly enjoyed the read, and I understand THEY enjoy/loathe the toy in question, but if all they're doing is creatively declaring opinions, I don't see that they deserve an 'extremely useful' vote. After all, sex toys are an extremely 'to each their own' sort of market.

I don't often rate a review 'extremely useful', or 'not useful at all'. They are two polar oppisites that don't often exist, while obviously trying my hardest to attain one and avoid the other. less

I hate to say this, but in the interest of all involved I will lend my observations.

I think their is an element of snark flowing around eden lately. For example, someone low-balling person's reviews just to be a jerk.

Just keep in mind that when you put things on the intenet for folks, there will always be a jerk or naysayer around. You folks keep up the good work and never mind the nonsense.


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I had never realised before (because I don't rate my reviews) but no matter how many people rank my reviews useful or extremely useful there's always one person rating it completely useless. Sometimes I wonder at the logic behind the rating if 20 something people get something from the reviews while 1 person seems to have some chip on their shoulder.

Does it have to be anonymous? Or can there be some reasoning behind the ratings? Or am I just completely retarded?
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Remember, our ranking is graded on a curve and the lion's share of the score is how useful our review is ranked...if some reviewer wanted to raise their own score, all they'd have to do is go through a bunch of reviews and rate them poorly, whether logged in or not, and it might elevate them on the curve. I've noticed a lot of unnecessarily rude comments lately, not constructive criticisms but just snarky remarks...since reviewers also get ranked based on number of comments, it seems like another potential way for them to raise their score.

I feel like negative comments should not garner points nor be publicly posted, but rather should be emailed privately to the reviewer. That way if there are some salient points in there, some helpful criticisms, then we can benefit from them, but people being jerks won't be rewarded. It could be entered like ebay feedback, with a check for Positive/Neutral/Negat ive and should they check positive or neutral, then right something rude, we could have the ability to remove the comment from our review, just like dismissing posts from a blog. I don't see how anyone on the community benefits from negativity! less