I think I'm confuzzled - when I buy a toy and review it I've definitely used it so how am I different from your "real users"?

OK, OK. I think I understand what you're asking also in "other users" The "verified" status simply means that their information is correct and their email has been verified (similar to PayPal) Every person who places an order on EF has the opportunity to create an account and write up a review. We just have to assume that if they don't want to be part of the program, they won't write the review. Not everyone who receives a product wants to give feedback. That card would probably be tossed out by more than half of the people who receive them (for sure from the people who are already planning on reviewing it, so I'm saying more than half the people who were not originally planning on reviewing it).

Are you saying that the couple thousand people that write reviews are not being truthful with their reviews? Why would they lie? To what end? Everyone of the 50 some odd reviews I have written have been from real experience and I have never pulled any punches. A good percentage of those I have bought, the others were given to me at a discount or free, in exchange for an honest unbiased review. This is what sets EF apart from all other adult toy sites. AND the reason I trust the contributors reviews.

I don't know, maybe I am missing something here.

So...verified reviewers aren't trusted and don't have true experiences????

I really ain't understanding this one. Is it because a verified reviewer can get one item a month free to review and that's the issue because it's free you don't think we review it accurately or something?

I don't get it I wouldn't bother with reviewing if I wasn't going to use the item or if I wasn't trusted just because I have verified by my name. That don't make any good sense. I think the definition of verified is foggy or something cuz it doesn't mean we work for anyone or will give false info on a product because we review it. I've not liked all three items that I reviewed on assignment and those reviews are my honest opinions so...yeah, I'm gonna write this one off as whatever...

Okay, here's the thing. The items are not created by EF. There are 100s of manufacturers. EF stands nothing to lose if a product is not liked. Quite the contrary, they stand everything to gain because they can choose not to carry it anymore and bring in stock that WILL be liked. Does that make sense?

I don't think anyone is trying to make you feel bad or say your idea is bad. Mostly we're confused and a little offended that you would think that the work we put in to testing and reviewing a product is not honest. Does that make sense too?

Perhaps joining the Mentor program with someone who's willing to take you under his/her wing would be a good way to get a better understanding of the website and the company! You would also be eligible for your first assignment and you can see what all goes in to selecting and reviewing a product with supportive guidance.

Your idea, in theory, is neat because it would actually represent "all" of the buyers of a product. The biggest problem is that a very, very small percentage would actually probably answer your form and send it back. Those that do would be the same type of people that are reviewing here on EF anyway.

Is there a reason you don't trust the reviews written by contributors? If you think it's a fake review, please do report it to admin; at EdenFantasys, we do strive to make sure that all of the reviews are real opinions by real people. (Even if that "real people" like myself happens to own 300 toys.)

It is great to bring up suggestions though. No one is discouraging you from doing that; EF can only grow if we have some great ideas put into it.

I hope it is not miss understood.

Verified reviewers are few, and there are a large number of buyers. I already differentiate between those two groups. I talk here about the Buyers.

My suggestion is based on the (True buyers = True users) (Other than Verified viewers).

Let me be more specific:
I have a question?
Does the number of rates in any product reflect the actual number of buyers?
No,
Any one can press on the rates and give 5 stars or 1 star (for points). So, the rates given in any product doesn't reflect the true average opinions of actual users (= buyers).
Except if the rates done by verified reviewers.

In my suggestion; the average rates will reflect the true users. This very important for a future buyers like me, for EF statistics, and for EF future decisions about products.

EF is one of the biggest sellers in its industry at the web, there is a large number of info can be gathered from the buyers. This is a marketing decision.

I am hoping not to step on any toes here, but I take a small bit offence to what the suggestion implies. I am not sure that the way you want to go about it will be any better. I mean by your theory, couldn't they lie on the "survey & review" you want them to fill out.

I have not only bought products from EF but I have also gotten some free using the point system,blogging and/or promotions so that makes my reviews untruthful or worth nothing because it may have been a free item?

I know that there are reviews on this site that you can read where it is blatently clear that they did not use a product. At the same time there are reviews where they a "puffed up" a bit. Honestly, I have gone so far as to get a item just to see if it is as bad/good as the reviews say it is. (Doesn't happen often but i have done it)

If something catches my eye I take the time to read the reviews. I keep in mind that each reviewer (whether they do it for points or do it to truly help others) has different experiences. I would think that you don't go into a store to buy things and ask on every item what the rating is. If you like it, you may purchase it or you may do some research on it to see.

I don't like the fact that you are possibly labeling people as "not-real-reviews" because they did not purchase an item. My husband and myself work hard on our reviews and are very honest in our assessment in them, nor matter if we paid out of pocket or not. To be told we are "not-real-users" is kinda a slap in the face.

Thanks danellejohns

I am sory if I hurt your feelings,

But I have to correct one thing:
I talked about (Dark Rating numbers) and not (not-real-reviews) as you wrote.

I took offense to this as well and I probably showed it badly. I've had a shitty day and came here to relax now that I've caught my breath I think Moen might not understand the process for reviewers?

Being verified doesn't mean we only do reviews on the items we get free. I only have 7 reviews and 4 are items I purchased - not assigned on EF but I still reviewed them. I bought and paid for them like any other person does. Didn't even buy them all from EF but I still chose to review them here because it is something I enjoy doing and will continue to do.

You mentioned you were concerned with the bandwagon effect (one reviewer likes it they all will) but that's simply not true. Free assignments are usually on items that have one or no reviews. If a person buys that item outside the program and reviews it with a similar rating couldn't it be that maybe the toy is just that good? Case in point the Pure Wand. I couldn't understand the hype over it and passed it up. Happened to get it on a whim and I'm thankful I did. The pure wand remains my favorite toy. The review I wrote was my own. Just like any other review.

All of mine are personal to me and my opinions reflect the truth. I review both items I pay for and the ones I receive free. Neither factor into the process I go through to review it or how I feel about any product. If you need distinction then you can tell on the review page. There is a blurb at the bottom that states if it was offered by Eden. Being verified carries over all of the reviews because it is a part of my account so regardless of paid or free I will remain verified.

Should users that are not verified get more points then verified users because they didn't take the extra step to become verified? I don't understand that. Should paid reviews get more points then free ones...I'm not sure. Eden asks for reviews on products it needs reviews for. So why should they have lesser value when it is needed for the community? Eden offers so much for it's community with so many different ways to get points and they have lots of special offers.

I'm happy to be a part of Eden and yeah I started reading the reviews looking for a new toy. I never even considered if it was a free product or a paid product for the reviewer. I was interested in the reviews and trusted them as they were. Now that I know a lot of the people writing them I trust them even more.

I feel the same as the rest of the responses. The current review program works fine in my opinion. Anyone has the option to review any product they've purchased. Writing a review, at least for me, requires quite a bit of thought and time, more so than I would probably invest in filling out a questionnaire.

Thanks SexyTabby

I am sure you also missed me because you were tired.

Please all of you Verified Reviewers re-call my first Sentences:

"Some times I don't trust the reviews and rates because I don't know if it was based on real experience or not.."

Then I wrote directly:

"I know that there is a verified reviewers at EF and their feedbacks are so valuable"

I hope this will be clear that I trust Verified Reviewers feedback, but I don't trust "Avrage Star Rates"

I also did a big mistake when I didn't name other reviews as "Comments" that we write at the product page under the reviews. This mistake leaded to all of you to miss understand me and to get angry, You all have the right for that. So accept my appology.

Any way, I may be more statistical person who wants Numbers and Data to be accurate as a clear ground for future dicitions.

The power of private messaging. Okay, so I understand now.

On the product page there's a place (the same place a lot of us go to say "Ooooh this looks fun" on new products) for comments where you can "rate" the toy 1-5. So I guess your question is: Does that get factored in to a toys' "Star" rating?

That is a very good question. That I do NOT have the answer to. Anybody!?! JR? Kristi?

So I suppose what you're suggesting is a place on the product page where people can fill out a short questionnaire and possibly write a comment or two about the product?

My fear with that suggestion is that it could take away from the reviewers who spend so much time and energy writing thorough reviews, if there's just a quick "Go-To" for people.

Although, technically there is, because the reviewer's rating on the product along with a couple of sentences (summary) is already available on the product page. So I don't know if this would be "too much."

BUT I understand your question and suggestion now. It's not a bad suggestion. I just think it's very similar to what's already available. But what do I know? I'm not an employee, so who knows what EF might like to do.

I would like to say, with the guide lines we have as reviewrs (i.e. must at least be 300 words) and that the reviews are looked over to be published says alot. The reviews are from people who have really used the product. Personaly I say it is not easy to just throw 300 words on a review and make it 'seem like' I used the product. The person who looks it over for publishing would see that somethings not right or seem vague.

I take my reviews seriously and put lots of time and thinking into them. I do not see how changing it would help to show someone really used the product. We are the voices of 'real users real reviews'

Basically his question is: Where the product gets rated here, does this go in to the total rating for a product? If so, is there a way that it can be limited to only people who have purchased/received the toy so that the rating is more accurate?

Not bad questions, not mistrusting the reviewers, just MISCOMMUNICATION!

Thanks BBW Talks Toys

That is exactly what I was talking about, I wish I just did what you have done by giving a picture for the (comments) field.

Ok, I think the pull failed down and go into other directions.

I would like to apologize, I believe I may have come across as upset when in reality it was a bit of frustration and confusion. I will honestly say though at first glance I did not get your true meaning.

I, personally, for ethical reasons never rate a product except for review purposes. And I think I do this for the reasons you were stating. If i never used it then how in the world could I rate it.

I have learned not to even look at the comment ratings. Or any of the ratings for that matter. I read the reviews instead. And make a decision if the product is for me by if I would use it or not. You know kinda like walking down a shopping aisle.

Your suggestion is one to think about but I don't know how practical it would be to implement. But then I guess I have my way of going about trusting material written here, and kinda do a toss out if I don't believe something is being skewed.

Oh I get it now...ummm...are those stars a part of the overall rating or is it just from the actual reviews? That seems stupid if they are. I never did get why they had stars there anyway. Lots of people click 5 stars cuz the toy looks cool and it isn't even available for purchase yet. Would be silly to include those. Stars should be used only if you have the item and use it. I'll agree with that part but I wouldn't support them getting review points for marking those stars and putting a line or two there.