I always check reviews for just about everything! Things I'm buying, restaurants, movies, everything. In fact, I'm hesitant to buy things that don't have many reviews. I generally use the rating/stars/score to narrow my list down, and then I tend to read through reviews individually, paying attention to what specifically is wrong with the product or good about it. For instance, if I wanted to see a movie this weekend, I'd take a look at RottenTomatoes.com and check what the aggregate score was for all the movies currently playing. I'd narrow my list down to any movie with a score above 60%. I'd remove anything from a genre I didn't like. After that, I should only have at most 1 or 2 movies to choose from (if I'm very lucky and there are actually good movies out!), and I can look at them individually and decide what to see. If there's nothing that has a score above 60% in a genre I think is tolerable, I don't see a movie. This system hasn't failed me yet :) I do the same thing for most things.
I usually only rely on word of mouth and Amazon for reviews. I love that Amazon compiles so many reviews so you can throw out the crazy great and terrible ones and have an idea of how good the product actually is. I've never really trusted blogs for this type of thing because even if they aren't being paid for their opinion they are still getting something for free which skews their viewpoint.
I always check online reviews but I try to check both the highest and the lowest reviewers. If someone can't think of a single negative thing to say about a product, I think it's a bit suspect. In general, I trust the net result of a large number of reviews. If it's a single review on a website I trust it more if there is a story attached ie. how they came to find the product, what other products they've tried. I also look for a clear explanation of how they choose the products they're reviewing. Usually if the product was a freebie and they didn't say anything negative about it, I don't trust the review.
I spend a good deal of my time assisting family in setting up wireless network and have worked in IT for 10 years. I am disappointed in this post. Typically Wise Bread bring us great content but this doesn't live up to the standard I have come to expect.
You should have contacted someone in the IT Field to help you write a post that would be useful for your readers.
I disregard anything over the top - I often wonder about the motives. Sites with a lot of advertising make me wonder, also. I have no basis for why, but I just do not trust them. Sites with great and well-managed communities (Amazon, Angies List) are good, especially because they attract such a volume, which makes the average rating more accurate.
I look for repeat problems, such as "screen is too small." I prefer those that discuss weight, durability, utility - i.e. that go into detail about more than the sole problem the user had.
I usually only read product reviews for video games, because with most products I just expect them to work, and I don't usually buy anything that isn't a video game anyways.
It really depends on who the review is coming from. I tend to trust consumer reports because they seem to be unbiased and I've never been unhappy with a product I've purchased that they recommended. User reviews can be helpful but I have to keep in mind that it's just one person's opinion.
I swear, the best read of this was the teasing bits from family members! bwhahahahaha
ANYHOO, I think the "this just isn't feasible" comments have a lot to do with varying abilities to tolerate discomfort. I live in a tall, concrete box in Southern CA. Granted, I'm closer to the ocean than most, but even folks in my building will whine about the heat and clamor for AC (our ancient building can't tolerate the added electricity needs of ACs, so we all do without).
When I live in MO near the Ozarks (temperate rain forest!), the heat and humidity felt suffocating at times, particularly when I lived in brick ovens masquerading as apartment buildings. I learned to adapt. Most folks simply aren't willing to adapt, believing their discomfort level to be unbearable. I mean, let's get real, it's not like we're living in a genocidal region of Darfur. There's unbearable and then there's I-Just-Don't-Wanna.
Eventually, you adjust and it's not so terribly uncomfortable anymore. Instead of clamoring about how it's just not possible, perhaps we can just admit that we're just not willing (and that is your choice, after all!). Big difference between the two.
I do, but only from users who have a long list of reviewed products, or a high user ranking of some sort. Most other reviews are just paid SEM efforts.
I do, but only from users who have a long list of reviewed products, or a high user ranking of some sort. Most other reviews are just paid SEM efforts.
I typically look at product reviews on anything that I plan to spend over $50 on. If I see a review for something I spend less on, I'll give it a quick skim.
I typically put more trust in reviewers that have been accurate before. Like (some of) my family and (most of) my close friends. CNET.com is also a place that I give an 80% trust rating.
One of the primary ways I use any review is to look at the points they thought were particularly good or bad. I check to see if my impression matches theirs.
I think you still don't get it. The whole basis for this article is pretty off base.
Namely, the statement "That means the money has to be contributed into the account instead of automatically going in." is still wrong: the money (from the dividends) does NOT have to be "contributed into the [IRA] account." The dividend money is already inside the IRA account. The dividend money merely has to be _invested_ in the specific stock/mutual fund/etf etc if you choose not to reinvest the dividends.
Furthermore, the statement "You get to contribute the dividend automatically" is wrong: the word "contribute" legally means to put new money into the IRA. Dividends from an investment that is already inside the IRA are not "contributed."
But more generally, inside an IRA, you don't care whether the increase in value comes from dividends being reinvested or from capital gains... since you don't pay taxes on either. So there's no reason to use this strategy at all.
Just pull the article, Wise Bread is better than this.
i always look at reviews before buying a new product (like on amazon.com or epinions). as far as reviews by bloggers go - it depends on the blogger :) if i have followed a blogger and seen him or her review a number of products with a range of opinions then i trust the review of the product i am interested in. bloggers who LOVE every product they receive free through the mail may ensure more free products for themselves, but will get their opinions discounted big time. this is sometimes a problem for beauty bloggers, less so it seems for other types of bloggers. my favorite review blogs are those that compare one or more similar products giving the pros and cons of each -so for example, i remember a blog (maybe here?) a year ago or so comparing online budget software like mint, thrive, quicken online, etc. in terms of who their target audience was, what the capabilities were, etc. it was incredibly helpful for choosing an online budgeting source.
Do I trust product reviews? Yes & no. It depends on the source, be it a blog or dedicated reviews site. The more reputable it is, the more weight I give the review. But even so, I try to maintain a healthy skepticism. If a review or post seems too rosy, or too harsh, it sets off alarms and I try to look for a more balanced assessment before forming my own decision.
I dislike product reviews found in blogs, because I think most of them are skewed to the positive. I do read reviews on amazon, though in general i find I need to try things myself
Usually when I'm planning to buy something I will shop around for the best bargain, which also includes taking into account product reviews. Cheapest is not always best! I usually go to trusted sources. If I'm reading user reviews I will always take into account the specifics of the actual review, the identity of the reviewer, and the number of reviews.
I read online reviews for many things before buying them, especially high ticket items. Like many others, I usually start at Amazon just because of their huge variety and large community.
I often skim a couple of the high rated reviews and then go and read the negative reviews to look for trends in the products. Most people who leave positive reviews gush over the product in general but don't give specifics about what they liked and why. They also tend to downplay things that they didn't like. However, most negative reviews are more specific about what they didn't like or what didn't work. It's also fairly easy to distinguish between issues of personal preference and issues with functionality or products that break easily.
I always read reviews. Trusting them is another story. I try to find reviews that are both good and bad, ones that give details on what they do and don't like. Sometimes I feel that companies write there own so I like to be sure there is plenty and I can take a little from each reviewer and make my own judgement. I think the "review" is the best thing to happen to consumers since the internet.
I think it's pretty easy to tell when a review is worth taking seriously: if it's from a source I trust (Wise Bread would fall into this category), if it's coherent (ie, not written like "GAHHH THIS IZ THE WURST THING EVAR DONT BUY IT OR UL DIE"), if it's not written like an advertisement... then I call it credible. When I'm looking at reviews on places like Amazon I only consider them when there are a considerable number - enough so that a consensus emerges.
I check reviews for MOST products I buy! Right down to stupid little $10 toys for my kids.
I remember the time I was gonna buy those fairys that you wind up and let them go, and they fly up.....yeah. I didn't end up buying them. Every single reviewer said they didn't work, they got tangled up, etc....That saved me $14 in heartache!
Even when I'm not shopping on line, I still look the product up and read all reviews.
It does scare me sometimes, that there are "fake" reviews, from people who work for the companies or whatever.
But for EVERY product, there are good reviews and bad ones.
I take into account the bad ones, and often I can spot a "theme" problem with something, that helps me make the decision not to buy.
I hate it when a product hasn't been reviewed yet, or there's only a very few reviews yet. (which goes along with how I've always waited for new stuff to become old news, before I buy it, most of the time!!)
I have left several reviews for products, also. Especially when something is "a lemon". Let's face it...people for the most part, aren't going to LOVE a product, and purposely look it up on the computer, JUST to leave a review, right?
You usually only have something to say when it's a complaint!!
So that's why I place heavy value on negative reviews.
They don't always sway my decision though...sometimes you can tell they're from people who just didn't read the instructions right, or are just stupid! (sorry!) And you can usually tell from their review, if youo're gonna listen to them or not!
If reviews disappeared, I don't know WHAT I would do!
I always read reviews, but I don't necessarily believe all of them. It's also important to not just look at the "star" ratings. Like on Amazon, a product might have a fair number of low star ratings, but if you actually read the reviews, most of the problems were "user-related" not necessarily product malfunctions. I also check to see the number of reviews. I'm more likely to consider products with 100+ reviews than just one 5 star rating.
Since I've been introduced to the internet, all I've been doing is following product reviews. Though I try to diversify where the reviews come from so I know it's not a bias review.
I almost always check the reviews on products before purchasing, especially on sites such as Amazon. However, it does help to look at what others thoughts of the review. A enthusiastic and overly positive review with a low "helpful" rating is always a red flag that the review may not be genuine. Of course, it also depends on the number of reviews.
I always check reviews for just about everything! Things I'm buying, restaurants, movies, everything. In fact, I'm hesitant to buy things that don't have many reviews. I generally use the rating/stars/score to narrow my list down, and then I tend to read through reviews individually, paying attention to what specifically is wrong with the product or good about it. For instance, if I wanted to see a movie this weekend, I'd take a look at RottenTomatoes.com and check what the aggregate score was for all the movies currently playing. I'd narrow my list down to any movie with a score above 60%. I'd remove anything from a genre I didn't like. After that, I should only have at most 1 or 2 movies to choose from (if I'm very lucky and there are actually good movies out!), and I can look at them individually and decide what to see. If there's nothing that has a score above 60% in a genre I think is tolerable, I don't see a movie. This system hasn't failed me yet :) I do the same thing for most things.
I usually only rely on word of mouth and Amazon for reviews. I love that Amazon compiles so many reviews so you can throw out the crazy great and terrible ones and have an idea of how good the product actually is. I've never really trusted blogs for this type of thing because even if they aren't being paid for their opinion they are still getting something for free which skews their viewpoint.
I always check online reviews but I try to check both the highest and the lowest reviewers. If someone can't think of a single negative thing to say about a product, I think it's a bit suspect. In general, I trust the net result of a large number of reviews. If it's a single review on a website I trust it more if there is a story attached ie. how they came to find the product, what other products they've tried. I also look for a clear explanation of how they choose the products they're reviewing. Usually if the product was a freebie and they didn't say anything negative about it, I don't trust the review.
While you are getting your garden ready this year, don't forget about homemade compost. It is easy, organic and a lot of fun. I found this article really helpful for getting started.
http://thegreenertruth.com/2010/03/compost-makes-your-garden-grow-greener/
I spend a good deal of my time assisting family in setting up wireless network and have worked in IT for 10 years. I am disappointed in this post. Typically Wise Bread bring us great content but this doesn't live up to the standard I have come to expect.
You should have contacted someone in the IT Field to help you write a post that would be useful for your readers.
I disregard anything over the top - I often wonder about the motives. Sites with a lot of advertising make me wonder, also. I have no basis for why, but I just do not trust them. Sites with great and well-managed communities (Amazon, Angies List) are good, especially because they attract such a volume, which makes the average rating more accurate.
I look for repeat problems, such as "screen is too small." I prefer those that discuss weight, durability, utility - i.e. that go into detail about more than the sole problem the user had.
I usually only read product reviews for video games, because with most products I just expect them to work, and I don't usually buy anything that isn't a video game anyways.
It really depends on who the review is coming from. I tend to trust consumer reports because they seem to be unbiased and I've never been unhappy with a product I've purchased that they recommended. User reviews can be helpful but I have to keep in mind that it's just one person's opinion.
I swear, the best read of this was the teasing bits from family members! bwhahahahaha
ANYHOO, I think the "this just isn't feasible" comments have a lot to do with varying abilities to tolerate discomfort. I live in a tall, concrete box in Southern CA. Granted, I'm closer to the ocean than most, but even folks in my building will whine about the heat and clamor for AC (our ancient building can't tolerate the added electricity needs of ACs, so we all do without).
When I live in MO near the Ozarks (temperate rain forest!), the heat and humidity felt suffocating at times, particularly when I lived in brick ovens masquerading as apartment buildings. I learned to adapt. Most folks simply aren't willing to adapt, believing their discomfort level to be unbearable. I mean, let's get real, it's not like we're living in a genocidal region of Darfur. There's unbearable and then there's I-Just-Don't-Wanna.
Eventually, you adjust and it's not so terribly uncomfortable anymore. Instead of clamoring about how it's just not possible, perhaps we can just admit that we're just not willing (and that is your choice, after all!). Big difference between the two.
I do, but only from users who have a long list of reviewed products, or a high user ranking of some sort. Most other reviews are just paid SEM efforts.
I do, but only from users who have a long list of reviewed products, or a high user ranking of some sort. Most other reviews are just paid SEM efforts.
I typically look at product reviews on anything that I plan to spend over $50 on. If I see a review for something I spend less on, I'll give it a quick skim.
I typically put more trust in reviewers that have been accurate before. Like (some of) my family and (most of) my close friends. CNET.com is also a place that I give an 80% trust rating.
One of the primary ways I use any review is to look at the points they thought were particularly good or bad. I check to see if my impression matches theirs.
I think you still don't get it. The whole basis for this article is pretty off base.
Namely, the statement "That means the money has to be contributed into the account instead of automatically going in." is still wrong: the money (from the dividends) does NOT have to be "contributed into the [IRA] account." The dividend money is already inside the IRA account. The dividend money merely has to be _invested_ in the specific stock/mutual fund/etf etc if you choose not to reinvest the dividends.
Furthermore, the statement "You get to contribute the dividend automatically" is wrong: the word "contribute" legally means to put new money into the IRA. Dividends from an investment that is already inside the IRA are not "contributed."
But more generally, inside an IRA, you don't care whether the increase in value comes from dividends being reinvested or from capital gains... since you don't pay taxes on either. So there's no reason to use this strategy at all.
Just pull the article, Wise Bread is better than this.
i always look at reviews before buying a new product (like on amazon.com or epinions). as far as reviews by bloggers go - it depends on the blogger :) if i have followed a blogger and seen him or her review a number of products with a range of opinions then i trust the review of the product i am interested in. bloggers who LOVE every product they receive free through the mail may ensure more free products for themselves, but will get their opinions discounted big time. this is sometimes a problem for beauty bloggers, less so it seems for other types of bloggers. my favorite review blogs are those that compare one or more similar products giving the pros and cons of each -so for example, i remember a blog (maybe here?) a year ago or so comparing online budget software like mint, thrive, quicken online, etc. in terms of who their target audience was, what the capabilities were, etc. it was incredibly helpful for choosing an online budgeting source.
Do I trust product reviews? Yes & no. It depends on the source, be it a blog or dedicated reviews site. The more reputable it is, the more weight I give the review. But even so, I try to maintain a healthy skepticism. If a review or post seems too rosy, or too harsh, it sets off alarms and I try to look for a more balanced assessment before forming my own decision.
Chelsea News in Indonesian
I dislike product reviews found in blogs, because I think most of them are skewed to the positive. I do read reviews on amazon, though in general i find I need to try things myself
Usually when I'm planning to buy something I will shop around for the best bargain, which also includes taking into account product reviews. Cheapest is not always best! I usually go to trusted sources. If I'm reading user reviews I will always take into account the specifics of the actual review, the identity of the reviewer, and the number of reviews.
I read online reviews for many things before buying them, especially high ticket items. Like many others, I usually start at Amazon just because of their huge variety and large community.
I often skim a couple of the high rated reviews and then go and read the negative reviews to look for trends in the products. Most people who leave positive reviews gush over the product in general but don't give specifics about what they liked and why. They also tend to downplay things that they didn't like. However, most negative reviews are more specific about what they didn't like or what didn't work. It's also fairly easy to distinguish between issues of personal preference and issues with functionality or products that break easily.
I always read reviews. Trusting them is another story. I try to find reviews that are both good and bad, ones that give details on what they do and don't like. Sometimes I feel that companies write there own so I like to be sure there is plenty and I can take a little from each reviewer and make my own judgement. I think the "review" is the best thing to happen to consumers since the internet.
I think it's pretty easy to tell when a review is worth taking seriously: if it's from a source I trust (Wise Bread would fall into this category), if it's coherent (ie, not written like "GAHHH THIS IZ THE WURST THING EVAR DONT BUY IT OR UL DIE"), if it's not written like an advertisement... then I call it credible. When I'm looking at reviews on places like Amazon I only consider them when there are a considerable number - enough so that a consensus emerges.
I check reviews for MOST products I buy! Right down to stupid little $10 toys for my kids.
I remember the time I was gonna buy those fairys that you wind up and let them go, and they fly up.....yeah. I didn't end up buying them. Every single reviewer said they didn't work, they got tangled up, etc....That saved me $14 in heartache!
Even when I'm not shopping on line, I still look the product up and read all reviews.
It does scare me sometimes, that there are "fake" reviews, from people who work for the companies or whatever.
But for EVERY product, there are good reviews and bad ones.
I take into account the bad ones, and often I can spot a "theme" problem with something, that helps me make the decision not to buy.
I hate it when a product hasn't been reviewed yet, or there's only a very few reviews yet. (which goes along with how I've always waited for new stuff to become old news, before I buy it, most of the time!!)
I have left several reviews for products, also. Especially when something is "a lemon". Let's face it...people for the most part, aren't going to LOVE a product, and purposely look it up on the computer, JUST to leave a review, right?
You usually only have something to say when it's a complaint!!
So that's why I place heavy value on negative reviews.
They don't always sway my decision though...sometimes you can tell they're from people who just didn't read the instructions right, or are just stupid! (sorry!) And you can usually tell from their review, if youo're gonna listen to them or not!
If reviews disappeared, I don't know WHAT I would do!
I always read reviews, but I don't necessarily believe all of them. It's also important to not just look at the "star" ratings. Like on Amazon, a product might have a fair number of low star ratings, but if you actually read the reviews, most of the problems were "user-related" not necessarily product malfunctions. I also check to see the number of reviews. I'm more likely to consider products with 100+ reviews than just one 5 star rating.
Since I've been introduced to the internet, all I've been doing is following product reviews. Though I try to diversify where the reviews come from so I know it's not a bias review.
I almost always check the reviews on products before purchasing, especially on sites such as Amazon. However, it does help to look at what others thoughts of the review. A enthusiastic and overly positive review with a low "helpful" rating is always a red flag that the review may not be genuine. Of course, it also depends on the number of reviews.