Including things like materials/batteries/et c

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Including things like materials/batteries/et c

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Contributor: chicken12 chicken12
So I just became an advanced reviewer ( ), but during the discussion surrounding it, and from some of the comments in the reviews that came from it, it appeared that some users wanted to see reviews that cover materials/batteries, and things of that nature.

I'm really not quite sure why, though. This information is included on the main page of a toy's review - we can see the materials, the batteries needed, the exact size of the toy, and so on.

It's not that I think the requests are silly; several people asked about it, leading me to believe it may be something that's of importance to the general community.

Do you like reading about materials/batteries/et c in reviews? If so, why?

Thanks!
10/19/2011
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Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Yes I do, in fact, that will sometimes be the difference between a Extremely useful vote and a Useful vote from me. I agree that the info is on the product page but I am not reading the product page, I am reading a review. The only time I look at the product page is if I am ordering the toy.

Just my opinion, this has been an ongoing debate since I started reviewing. Some are for it, some are against it.
10/19/2011
Contributor: AngelvMaynard AngelvMaynard
Quote:
Originally posted by chicken12
So I just became an advanced reviewer ( ), but during the discussion surrounding it, and from some of the comments in the reviews that came from it, it appeared that some users wanted to see reviews that cover materials/batteries, and things of that ... more
It helps the reader to hear about the material from a user perspective. How much drag does it have? Is it smooth or rigid? Also, it keeps the eyes on your review page rather than have them Clicking back in forth from your review to the product page. The review is a personal, honest perspective of a toy, while the product page is just info stats.
As far as batteries, things to include would be where is the battery house located? Is it waterproofed with an O-ring, are the batteries easy to change, how long do they last etc...
As a new reviewer I'd suggest going thru the mentor program. They can help you a great deal!
Welcome and have fun!!
10/19/2011
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
Congratulations on becoming an advanced reviewer! There really has been a debate going on for literally years over whether or not to include that information, and I can see both sides of the argument. On the one hand everything really is available on the product page, but on the other hand I don't often look at the product page unless I'm thinking about buying something and I don't want to have to flip back and forth between the review and the product page. Realistically it's whatever you want to do. If you don't feel it's necessary to include that in your review, then you shouldn't feel obligated to. I do personally, and I encourage students to as well because it seems to be what the community wants out of their reviews.
10/19/2011
Contributor: chicken12 chicken12
Angel: Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Although I'm sure that the mentor program is very helpful - people speak very highly of it - I feel I learn best by "asking the audience." With a mentor, opinions get one or two perspectives - albeit, very deep - but in making threads/topics, a person gets to see many opinions.

I'll definitely keep the mentor program in the back of my mind for future reference, though!


ToyTimeTim and Sam: Hi!

Thank you for telling me that there's been a debate on this. Between this thread and whatever other threads I find, I think I'll be able to gain a wealth of insight.
10/19/2011
Contributor: - Kira - - Kira -
I put this info in reviews and I like when others include it as well. For example if someone says "this was just the right size" but doesn't state the measurements then I have to flip back to the main page. It also helps because you can make an educated guess as to who the toy might be good for - someone that likes smaller or larger toys. Battery info is good to know as well, again because flipping back to the main page is a hassle.
10/19/2011
Contributor: Beck Beck
Most of the time I look at the reviews because I am reading reviews. I have no idea what product I am even looking at sometimes. I pick a review and open it up. I think of as many questions as I can to ask the reviewer to help make the review more useful. As Sam said I do not even look at the product page unless I am looking to buy. I read reviews regularly.

Sometimes the product page is not right. I had a product that the material was wrong and had another the measurements were wrong.

The Mentor Program is actually very nice, and you can do it more than once to get the range of perspectives you want.
10/19/2011
Contributor: js250 js250
I have been debating about that with myself as well. I used to think it was such a waste of time and space, but then I thought of my own browsing habits. When that info isn't in the review, do I go look on the product page? No. Do I purchase that item, wishlist it or want it? No. Do I blow it off and go to another item? Yes. Have I missed out on good toys by doing this? Probably. Am I going to change my lazy browsing habits? No. I always try to include that information now because I know how I am when I go through the site and want to be as good of a reviewer and answer everyones questions that I could think of in the review. Good luck and have fun!
10/19/2011
Contributor: AngelvMaynard AngelvMaynard
Quote:
Originally posted by Beck
Most of the time I look at the reviews because I am reading reviews. I have no idea what product I am even looking at sometimes. I pick a review and open it up. I think of as many questions as I can to ask the reviewer to help make the review more ... more
You are totally right about the product page being wrong sometimes. I just did a lingerie review where the product page said it did not have underwire, but when I got the piece it DID have underwire. I made sure to point the discrepancy out in my review because that was an important piece of info.
10/19/2011
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Quote:
Originally posted by AngelvMaynard
You are totally right about the product page being wrong sometimes. I just did a lingerie review where the product page said it did not have underwire, but when I got the piece it DID have underwire. I made sure to point the discrepancy out in my ... more
You can/should also PM Maxim and let him know, that way he can get it changed on the product page.
10/19/2011
Contributor: TheBadHobbit TheBadHobbit
I definitely prefer to have the product info in the review itself. I know it gets really repetitive when reading multiple reviews of the same product, but I just like having all the useful information in ONE spot instead of flipping back and forth between the product info page and the review page. Even just mousing over the little (i) link to the side is more out-of-the-way than I want to go when reading a review.

I do have a related question, though . . . I'm hoping to make a video review at the end of the week, and I'm planning to also have a very thorough written portion to it. Ideally someone would both watch the video and read the text, though of course I know I can't count on that How much info should I put in the video? Should I just show off the things best conveyed visually, and put things like personal experience, etc. solely in the written area? Or should I try to make the video just as thorough and comprehensive as the text, at the risk of it getting long and super-boring? Should I treat the text the same way I treat the product info page - a useful reference, but something that can be ignored without losing anything?
10/19/2011
Contributor: AngelvMaynard AngelvMaynard
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyTimeTim
You can/should also PM Maxim and let him know, that way he can get it changed on the product page.
Totally will! Thank you
10/19/2011
Contributor: ToyTimeTim ToyTimeTim
Quote:
Originally posted by TheBadHobbit
I definitely prefer to have the product info in the review itself. I know it gets really repetitive when reading multiple reviews of the same product, but I just like having all the useful information in ONE spot instead of flipping back and forth ... more
A video should only highlight the toy, not be a review in and of itself. You should try and limit the vid to two or three minutes so putting in tons of info would be hard.

I like to see how it compares to something for size and a short demo of the vibes (if it has any) so I can hear how loud or quiet it is.
10/19/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyTimeTim
Yes I do, in fact, that will sometimes be the difference between a Extremely useful vote and a Useful vote from me. I agree that the info is on the product page but I am not reading the product page, I am reading a review. The only time I look at the ... more
Yeah, what Tim said. I know some of the info is on the product page. But, I also, read a lot of reviews, and I don't like flipping back and forth between product page and review. I want to read the review in it's entirety. I only look at the product page if I am thinking of buying the toy, writing a Review myself, or editing a review.

I am a detailed person and I like to see everything in one place; the review. The more specific the better. What is the "right size" for one person may not be right for me. I like measurements. In fact, in my reviews, I usually include pics of the toy with a sewing tape measure.

That's just me, though. And, like Tim, it may make the difference between an EU and a U vote for me.

Congrats on the Advanced Reviewer upgrade. I agree that going through at least one Mentor can be really really helpful. Also, reading LOTS of reviews, seeing what gets rated in which ways is also helpful. I also agree with what Angel and Sam said.

Keep on writing and playing.
10/19/2011
Contributor: Peggi Peggi
Materials, correct lubricants and batteries do not make or break a review to become 'extremely useful' for me, if the rest of the review is exceptional, but as everyone else has stated, it can be a bother to have to go back and forth between pages.

Another issue other than incorrect information on the product page is that sometimes things change over time and aren't updated on the product page. I've read reviews where reviewers have owned a toy years ago but then purchased a newer one as the old one wore out and mentioned that although the product page wasn't updated, a color or new addition to the toy was.

Also, newer members to the site might find it useful. If they happen to be on the product page and don't understand the full layout of the site, and they read a review but didn't notice materials and such on the product page, if they aren't in the review they might assume that all toys are similar, maybe all of them can use the same lubes. Maybe they won't realize that different toys use different types of power.
10/20/2011
Contributor: Princess-Kayla ♥ Princess-Kayla ♥
I like reading that stuff. I usually skip the product info, and go right to the review.
I want to know if using a certain battery effects your desire to use it, or if the material works with some lubes, but not others.

I suggest reading other reviews to kind of get an idea of what to write about. I did it, and it really helped me figure out how I should be writing.
11/12/2011
Contributor: Rossie Rossie
Quote:
Originally posted by ToyTimeTim
Yes I do, in fact, that will sometimes be the difference between a Extremely useful vote and a Useful vote from me. I agree that the info is on the product page but I am not reading the product page, I am reading a review. The only time I look at the ... more
I'm all for it too. Just like Tim, I like a review to provide as much product information as possible, saving me the trouble to go to the product page to look up whatever the review has missed.
11/12/2011