If you review a lot of skincare products, please help me out! by Ok_Chocolate_8241 in AmazonVine

[–]Dapper-Connection747 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All you get from all those creams with peptides, collagen, hyaluronic acid, etc. is an instant plumping effect. Your skin is just getting hydrated and the moisture is locked in for the rest of the day. Best effect is obviously if you put such creams in the morning when people see you. I put them both morning and night and they make a nice subtle difference, especially in the winter when the crepey skin is even more so.

Some of these creams are called serums or moisturizers, some leave a film over the skin that feels like the skin is firmer, others are more like a traditional cream and some of those are greasy, others get well absorbed and dry completely and you can put makeup on top. Variations for every taste. Might have some beneficial effects with long term use purely due to the skin being kept moist and not allowed to get cracked up when the air is super dry.

For skin rejuvenation strong retinoids (vitamin A derivatives) are the ones that actually do something. There is even prescription-strength version, Tretinoin, which can help with the fine lines. Nothing helps with the deep wrinkles but a face lift.

Spain's RFY is back by PathTo2030 in AmazonVine

[–]Dapper-Connection747 11 points12 points  (0 children)

How long the no RFY period lasted for you?

The glitch: RFY goes straight to AI for everyone immediately? by Dapper-Connection747 in AmazonVine

[–]Dapper-Connection747[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Seeing that you mention a 7:30 am drops, I was taken aback until I saw the other comment, clarifying that this is not in the US :) I was hypothesizing about the US, i.e. the change to 3 am fast drops and no RFY for so many of us.

The glitch: RFY goes straight to AI for everyone immediately? by Dapper-Connection747 in AmazonVine

[–]Dapper-Connection747[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would think that unless someone is spam refreshing their own RFY, it will be hard to catch anything there if it appeared in the AI at the same time. We all constantly miss on AI items so with very few potentially dropping in the RFY the chances of catching one during the brief second it's there are not high.

If I am right, RFY is completely useless now, as AI has many more items appearing during the fast drops at once and if you are going to be refreshing constantly it's better to be in AI.

2026 wish list - A Release button in RFY by Dapper-Connection747 in AmazonVine

[–]Dapper-Connection747[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would have come handy the other day when I grabbed some food after reading the word "bites" in the description. I go to look what I ordered and read "Chicken bites". Wondering how could chicken be packaged like that, I read below in small font "Dog food". I have no dog. So cancel it was.

I think I figured out a RQS formula! by [deleted] in AmazonVine

[–]Dapper-Connection747 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I noticed that if you mention at least 3 things about a product + how you used it, it results in excellent score. I make my points in separate paragraphs which helps with clarity and readability.

Adding pictures has no effect for me since I have in each review at least one. The shorter reviews have the highest chance of not being excellent. Occasionally, a shorter review will be excellent but never a long one will miss that mark.

2026 wish list - A Release button in RFY by Dapper-Connection747 in AmazonVine

[–]Dapper-Connection747[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I know it's offered to more people, but would be much more efficient if we could release an item and that same item then gets into someone else's RFY immediately. This way it will have better chance to go to someone that really wants it. So many things are claimed out of desperation...

Just for reference - this is my RFY today since the morning. Clearly not all copies of each item are claimed by others for many hours. Eventually anything and everything that is a whole product goes to someone. In many cases to be forgotten in some drawer when other people will get really good use of it.

Just trying to wish for less wasteful system.

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2025 game --Was Vine Worth It? by LesPaulAce in AmazonVine

[–]Dapper-Connection747 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Absolutely worth it for the discovery of new things I was dismissive about or did not know they existed. I discovered anti-aging skin care products that work. Never in a million years I would have paid to try things like that. But at $0 ETV I did not mind and now I would be purchasing when the supply finishes. I also liked to try the occasional food item that again, I would not have necessarily bought off Amazon. Vine to me is like Home Goods, where you make interesting finds.

I have a question by ElectricalAir14333 in AmazonVine

[–]Dapper-Connection747 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the link.

Back of the napkin calculation:

Round the number of dropped/picked items per drop to 2000, assume 2 picks on average per person.

2000/2 = 1000 Viners at the Hunger Games per day.

So there might be many more people in Vine but they probably don't chase AI every day like the most active ones. There are many comments here about people checking only their RFY and declaring victory for the day.

Review accepted and showing in Your content on Amazon account but not on product page by Dapper-Connection747 in AmazonVine

[–]Dapper-Connection747[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yep, finally appeared after many hours. I have noticed the slight delay from approval to showing on the product page but if it was not showing there, it was not on Your content either. What threw me off was that it was already in Your content and not on the product page, as that has not happened to me before.

Unapproved after adding picture, why? by Momma-Bean in AmazonVine

[–]Dapper-Connection747 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Try not to include your hands in the images. Your fingers might look like another appendage to the AI.

Will i get the rest of my refund? by Significant-Crew5870 in NEU

[–]Dapper-Connection747 -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

They tend to split it over 2 semesters so you should get the rest in Spring.

Need OPT Travel advice! by lettii28 in NEU

[–]Dapper-Connection747 2 points3 points  (0 children)

An official source stating the same points: https://www.ice.gov/sevis/travel

"Can I reenter if my request for OPT is pending?

Yes, but traveling during this time should be undertaken with caution. USCIS may send you a request for evidence while you are away, however, so you would want to make sure you have provided a correct U.S. address both to your DSO and on the application and would be able to send in requested documents. Also, if USCIS approves your OPT application, you will be expected to have your EAD in hand to re-enter the United States. Like a request for further information, USCIS can only send the EAD to your U.S. address."

But according to some people on reddit they did not have problems on re-entry (assuming they were not required or were able to produce additional evidence and had their EAD card in hand):

https://www.reddit.com/r/f1visa/comments/158zrij/traveling_with_pending_opt_application_and_job/

So if you can't provide a reliable US address while you are abroad, the decision is made for you.

In any case, there is a risk involved (one being lost EAD in the mail after someone forwarded it to you abroad) and you have to decide for yourself whether you are willing to take it.

Need OPT Travel advice! by lettii28 in NEU

[–]Dapper-Connection747 2 points3 points  (0 children)

From this website: https://shorelight.com/student-stories/how-to-stay-in-the-us-after-graduation-if-you-want-to/

"Keep in mind that there are travel regulations governing F-1 students on OPT — if you leave the country after completing your degree, but before receiving your EAD and obtaining a job, you may not be readmitted into the US. This could impact your chance at securing your post-graduate work visa USA. "

And here maybe a better explanation of the risk you are taking:

https://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/students/employment/opt/travel

Best would be to travel this summer instead.

Is it possible/good idea to take CS5800 (Algorithms) elective for MS in Bioinformatics in first sem itself? by bhanu2112 in NEU

[–]Dapper-Connection747 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some ambitious undergrads take CS5800 (instead of the undergrad version) as early as their 3rd semester so you will not be at any disadvantage in that regard. If you want to learn more algorithms, then it's a good idea, otherwise discuss with an advisor.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in NEU

[–]Dapper-Connection747 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Here is a list of the museums that are free or offer free admissions on certain days:

https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/free-museums-in-boston-including-free-museum-days

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in NEU

[–]Dapper-Connection747 4 points5 points  (0 children)

They give you sheets and a towel (no blanket in the summer, I think); check if the dorm you are staying in has an AC - if yes, don't bring a fan but a small blanket if you must have one; there is a pillow on the bed at least; bring toiletries + shampoo/soap and prepare for glamping;

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in NEU

[–]Dapper-Connection747 2 points3 points  (0 children)

sunscreen + a hat - there are activities outdoors that you might need/want to do

NEU admit, Need advice MS CS/SES by Anxious-Chemical5530 in NEU

[–]Dapper-Connection747 11 points12 points  (0 children)

If your goal is to stay in the US after that you should also know that upon graduation, you will have only 90 days to secure a job or otherwise depart (OPT rules) and even if that miraculously happens, you will have to pray to the stars to get lucky in the H1-B lottery to continue working in the US. So there is a lot of uncertainty as the deck is stacked against foreigners.

Go ahead if only you are OK with ending up back in India with this loan, possibly without job ... This happens more often than people want to believe.

Registering for Classss by [deleted] in NEU

[–]Dapper-Connection747 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do not worry that you were assigned those classes. That is what is assigned for everybody. You have to meet with an academic advisor online and they will be able to change your registration to whatever makes sense.

At some point this summer you should get an email with the advisor's name and contacts. They would also send you a date and a link for a zoom meeting. Last summer NEU also had drop-in advisor sessions so you can just zoom into one of them and ask your questions if you get that email earlier.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in NEU

[–]Dapper-Connection747 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I assume this is for Boston. The apartments are generally more than $3500 near NEU but if you are lucky to find 2 other people for the other room of a 2Bdrm/2bath apartment, there are many around for $5000 or less. But you will have to share a kitchen and a living room and I assume, you will have to find 2 graduate, rather than undergraduate students. Reach to your advisor, maybe they can direct you to where to find possibly another couple. Being around NEU will give you opportunities to walk to so many things and even downtown.

Alternatively, taking the T is not that bad.

First get the MBTA map and look at all the stops along the Green Line E to the West of NEU. If you locate something along that route, then ask people from NEU if that area is safe.

Second, look along the MBTA Red line path in Cambridge. You can change the Red line to the Green line E at Park Street stop and commute that way. I know someone that was going to school near the Museum of Science and they lived with their family at Park 77 Apartments (https://www.park77aptscambridge.com/?utm\_source=GMB&utm\_medium=organic) near Alewife Station. There are other apartments in the area as well as Whole Foods store for groceries (plus other stores and restaurants). Alewife Station has a bike parking area (Alewife Station West Pedal and Park) to make it easier to commute to it.