When researching new gear I will sometimes read blog reviews, but they almost always receive the product for free so I'm skeptical. Even though they *say* the opinion is of their own, I rarely see a negative review. They usually gush about the product and maybe mention one con, if that. I'm much more trusting of Amazon and other real life reviews.
Where do you find the best reviews while gear shopping?
blogger / pomelo / 5400 posts
Amazon, ConsumerSearch, Baby Bargains. I compile and write gear reports and almost never use those types of reviews as a source anymore unless the product is very new!
cherry / 249 posts
If the review is good at balancing both the pros and the cons and isn't just an, "OMG this is the most amazingest product ever!!" then, yes, I take it into consideration in my research. I have found some really great stuff that I would not have otherwise heard of if it weren't for companies giving them out free to bloggers to review.
But like you said, Amazon reviews are pretty much my go-to for firsthand info.
blogger / pomelo / 5400 posts
Oh, baby gear lab is another good one for certain stuff. And sometimes Babble.
cantaloupe / 6885 posts
@Mrs. Yoyo: never heard of baby gear lab or baby bargains, thank you!
I should mention that if the blog is written from the POV of a long time user of the particular item, I absolutely take it into consideration and find it helpful! Lucie's List is one that comes to mind
grapefruit / 4649 posts
I have a few blogs that I read that do reviews so infrequently that I trust when they say they choose only to review products that they actually love. I don't actively seek out blog reviews for products I am considering though because I agree that other reviews are more likely to be unbiased.
pomelo / 5469 posts
Definitely Amazon! I wouldn't 100% trust a blogger for those reasons you said.
kiwi / 556 posts
Generally, no, unless they haven't actually recieved free product (by law they must put a disclaimer if they recieved free product. Occasionally in the disclaimer there is a note saying they paid for it but loved/hated and wanted to share).
There are a few bloggers that recieve a lot free but have a history of being honest. The travel blogger Nomadic Matt is one who comes to mind...
grapefruit / 4056 posts
If I see a disclaimer that they received a freebie in return for a review I pretty much disregard the review.
pomelo / 5678 posts
I don't trust the amazon vine reviews. I don't even read them. They are like bad copy.
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