Amazon Vine reviewer program

[nebugeater]

Is anyone here a part of the Amazon Vine review program? I got an email invite yesterday that I figured was spam but when I went into my Amazon account and messages, it was legit. I have read all the documents that I need to agree to to join and it looks like it is really a pretty good deal. Just wondering if anyone here has any experience before I finalize joining this "club".

[almighty_tuna]

Never heard of it. Is it Amazon's reincarnation of wine.woot?

[nebugeater]

It has been around for a long time. It is a program where there is an ESTIMATED 5 - 10k Reviewers across the US who have a track record of doing reviews and are getting helpful ratings on their reviews are invited to join. If you are in the program, you are eligible for new or new-to-market products at no cost in exchange for a review. Your review is marked as a VINE review, and the product is complementary.

If the value of the items you request and are fulfilled reaches a certain $$$$ value per year the value is shown as income. YOu have to keep the items for a minimum of six months, and they can be asked to be returned but from what I have learned that never happens. If it does, you are not on the hook for the value. After six months, you can sell or donate the items if you do not want to keep them. You need to review 90% or more of the VINE items that you receive.

Your reviews are not required to be positive or any star ranking for that matter but they need to trend with your review history or other review patterns. You can be removed from the program at any time. From what I have researched once in it most people are in for the long haul and may do one or two items a year or one or two a week. Only kicked out if you never participate of you are not following the guidelines.

THe items that are eligible to request can range from $1 or so up to $100's of dollars. During the first six months in the program, you cannot request anything over $100 per item.

Here is a little background on why I may have gotten an invite.
I write Amazon reviews and have for many years. Maybe for about 25 % of what I buy. I am not writing all 5* positive reviews, but am honest. My reviews get a LOT of helpful votes. They are not long but do not just say: "This sucks" or "This is great" I have a "why" statement usually.

I also answer some product questions when I get a message that there is a question that someone has for an item you bought.

[almighty_tuna]

Not a bad gig!

[ChadJK]

Amazon has a review problem. A BAD one. That's why, for example, you'll see a new product that's not in a particularly popular category of thing to buy, but it has 1,100 reviews averaging 4.8 stars. The star ratings on Amazon are essentially useless because Amazon has been unable to police them.

I've gotten marketplace items from Amazon that arrive with a card in them (or an email comes a few days later) that says to leave them a 5-star review and take a screenshot of it and send it to them and they'll give me this or that discount on something else or send me a gift card. This is why seeing a 5-star review from someone marked "verified purchaser" is just as meaningless as the rest of the reviews. If a seller wants to ask me to leave an honest review, then please do so. If they want to ask me to leave a 5-star review, then kindly F off. You'll get a 1-star review for the deceit.

I read an article a couple of years ago that said the best thing to do is read the 3-star reviews for a product.

It's no wonder that Amazon is trying to come up with a better review program using people who write actual honest reviews (and are indeed people).

[nebugeater]

Amazon has a review problem. A BAD one. That's why, for example, you'll see a new product that's not in a particularly popular category of thing to buy, but it has 1,100 reviews averaging 4.8 stars. The star ratings on Amazon are essentially useless because Amazon has been unable to police them.

I've gotten marketplace items from Amazon that arrive with a card in them (or an email comes a few days later) that says to leave them a 5-star review and take a screenshot of it and send it to them and they'll give me this or that discount on something else or send me a gift card. This is why seeing a 5-star review from someone marked "verified purchaser" is just as meaningless as the rest of the reviews. If a seller wants to ask me to leave an honest review, then please do so. If they want to ask me to leave a 5-star review, then kindly F off. You'll get a 1-star review for the deceit.

I read an article a couple of years ago that said the best thing to do is read the 3-star reviews for a product.

It's no wonder that Amazon is trying to come up with a better review program using people who write actual honest reviews (and are indeed people).

The VIne review process has been in place for over 15 years.

[djc311]

We were just invited to take part earlier this year. As mentioned the first six months or so the items are below $100 in value that you get to pick from. So far I haven’t come across many brand name items which I suppose makes sense - I mean why would someone want to give away an Apple (branded) Pencil or a Dewalt cordless drill when they already have a well known reputation.

It’s more off brand products, but still pretty cool to be a part of. We’ve received a chandelier for over our dining room table, an entryway ceiling light, some bathroom accessories, a few Christmas decorations for around the house and so forth.

I think it’s a nice program - a little leery of having to report the value on taxes though. But I guess nothing in life is ever actually “free”, right?

[ChadJK]

The VIne review process has been in place for over 15 years.

Then I am tempted to say it is somewhat of a failure as it has done nothing to curb the onslaught of bullsh*t reviews or make Amazon star ratings any more legit. However, if you can make a buck making Amazon reviews more legit, then more power to you. Go for it.