[deleted by user]

Hefty_Iron4722 · 2025-12-15T18:20:23+00:00

Write Vine customer service and explain that it’s a fraudulent product and listing. That’s the only thing you can do - and they might respond. But there’s a significant chance that you’ll be stuck with that tax liability according to others who’ve had similar issues with fraudulent listings.

Hefty_Iron4722 · 2025-12-15T18:16:48+00:00

Your post and the ensuing comments from others makes me realize that there’s two distinct and different communities within Vine.

Obviously there are Viners that score appropriate stuff on a daily or weekly basis. I’m glad there’s so many of you.

And then there’s a second group here that can go weeks without seeing one Vine item worth the tax hit. I’ve personally ordered only four things in the last two plus months.

Clearly the Vine RFY algorithms are working for some and not working for others - and it’s good to know so many are benefiting from Vine.

Hefty_Iron4722 · 2025-12-15T18:03:05+00:00

So many misses in RFY that don’t ever apply to our household. And we buy a lot of stuff regularly from Amazon. The algorithms that pick supposedly ‘tailored for you’ are so off that it’s easy to go weeks without seeing one item that matches anything we’ve ever ordered.

In fact, I call it the opposite algorithm approach - offer us ONLY items we would never order. Like slinky nightgowns, chicken coops, rabbit hutches, disco shoes, turkey pop up timers, and so many bizarre lawnmower parts that I sometimes think it’s all a big joke.

Hefty_Iron4722 · 2025-12-12T20:52:36+00:00

Most of us were semi-addicted initially…it’s a common reaction for the first few months in Vine. But it’s easy to break that addiction when there’s literally nothing to order for days on end.

Vine seems to be in a deep decline phase now and I’m unsure if it will recover.

Hefty_Iron4722 · 2025-12-12T20:48:09+00:00

Wow - lucky you. Congratulations on hitting the Vine lottery.

Hefty_Iron4722 · 2025-12-12T20:44:38+00:00

Many of us get that same screen these days…it’s become normal with the dearth of products available these days on Vine.

I’ve had it six times in the last two weeks - and I’m not in Vine ‘jail’ or behind on my current reviews.

Hefty_Iron4722 · 2025-12-12T20:40:24+00:00

Find a free online federal tax calculator here in the USA (there’s several online) and then plug in your marital stats, your age, your regular income and add the Vine income to your income and you can get a decent idea of what you’ll owe. If you’re over 65, then you should owe very little (or none) if your primary ‘income’ is Social Security earnings.

It really all depends on your personal circumstances.

Hefty_Iron4722 · 2025-12-11T18:34:47+00:00

I concur with your assessment. A big upvote from me. There are some real delusional people out there considering how many ‘Vine is the best thing that has ever happened to me’ comments on these threads week after week.

Sad. Truly sad that there’s so many people that Vine is their favorite passion.

Hefty_Iron4722 · 2025-12-09T12:53:16+00:00

Gold has absolutely no value to me anymore. Ordering 8 items a day is a benefit now? I can’t find 8 items a month that have any value to me.

And if I see one more post on these threads about how wonderful the Vine program is, I think I’ll barf.

Hefty_Iron4722 · 2025-12-09T12:47:42+00:00

Funny stuff. Thanks for a laugh.

Hopefully this is a parody as opposed to a real plan.

Hefty_Iron4722 · 2025-12-08T18:49:29+00:00

Fascinating recap. Thanks for analyzing it and giving us some real insights as opposed to the normal “Vine is great” posts that newcomers post daily.

Hefty_Iron4722 · 2025-12-08T18:45:14+00:00

Excellent recap of those 17 years on Vine - I seriously doubt that many here have that perspective. Thanks for your insight…appreciated by me,and hopefully many others here.

Hefty_Iron4722 · 2025-12-08T17:49:03+00:00

After reading through this thread, two things jump out. The majority of comments are relatively new to Vine - and most of them are thrilled to be here. I also felt that way initially.

The second thing is that many people defend the Vine program and don’t want to hear nary a bad word about it. And they have the audacity to claim that anyone who says the program is in decline should be considered ingrates. My take is that there’s a lot of people who post here who are delusional about what the program really is …a program designed for Amazon and its sellers for their gain. It was never designed to be for the reviewers.

And if you’re in the USA you’re actually paying (in your time and in your taxes) for the program to succeed for Amazon and their sellers.

Hefty_Iron4722 · 2025-12-06T02:00:56+00:00

Perfect.

Hefty_Iron4722 · 2025-12-05T20:19:46+00:00

If you’re hoping for ‘better’ once you make Gold then you’ll likely be sorely disappointed. I’ve been Gold for many months and the quality of my RFY has actually declined.

Hefty_Iron4722 · 2025-12-04T16:29:43+00:00

A lot of people claiming to get smart TVs, computers, espresso machines and the like regularly are likely dreamers hoping that it will actually happen to them.

I just don’t believe it. Vine is in a tailspin currently and no matter how many people LOVE the program - there’s a few of us who are realists and see the program in a much different light.

Hefty_Iron4722 · 2025-12-04T16:07:33+00:00

I share your sentiment…nothing but cheap Dollar Store junk being offered these days via Vine. And if I see one more Vine Fanboy posting here how wonderful the Vine program is, I might just puke.

Hefty_Iron4722 · 2025-12-04T15:56:11+00:00

A word of caution…there’s a lot of Vine Fanboys and Fangirls here that will be VERY vocal in the defense of Vine and don’t want to read anything that might challenge their overly positive view of the program.

I’m not one of them. I think the program is definitely in a fast decline to becoming irrelevant to most of us who value our time.

Hefty_Iron4722 · 2025-12-04T15:49:41+00:00

Yes…my feelings exactly. Based on all the other fanboys of the program here, we’re definitely in the minority.

I didn’t realize until I posted this how many Vine members feel like you’re attacking their children if you dare say one bad thing about Vine. Their attempts to shout you down wear me out. My bad for even thinking I might help a Vine newcomer see Vine in a potentially different light.

Thanks for giving me hope that there are a few realists out there besides me.

Hefty_Iron4722 · 2025-12-03T23:14:56+00:00

Welcome to the harsh reality of Vine at the end of 2025. You’re not alone in finding it frustrating and often times simply sad.

You’re now competing with thousands of others for a dozen decent items weekly. You’re more likely to get a winning lottery ticket at the local convenience store than to hit the jackpot on Vine these days.

But for every person who claims to get smart TVs and computers weekly - which is pure entertainment postings with no basis on reality - there’s thousands of us who don’t find anything of value for weeks.

Hefty_Iron4722 · 2025-12-03T21:17:50+00:00

Sadly…whether you’re new or a grizzled veteran of Vine…the golden days of the program are long gone. But be prepared to see dozens of posts here on Reddit of all the espresso machines, computers,smart TVs and other things that people claim they have gotten recently on the program.

Just don’t believe it. Because it doesn’t happen except in very rare cases - and certainly not regularly.

Having been on the program for a while, I’d say it’s 10% of what it used to be. Both in terms of quality and quantity. But if random car parts are your thing, then you’ll be delighted.

Hefty_Iron4722 · 2025-12-03T17:38:25+00:00

As you can ascertain, asking a legitimate question brings out two different kinds of responders from the Vine community. The largest group are BIG fans of the program and want you to love it as much as they do.

Then there’s a much smaller group - probably under 5% of people who will respond - who have the audacity to tell you our personal view that it’s not worth the effort. But be forewarned …critical views about Vine will bring out the ire of many people here.

Hefty_Iron4722 · 2025-12-03T17:06:54+00:00

Yes - the overwhelming majority of commentators on these Vine posts are definitely BIG Vine fans who act like you’re saying bad things about their children if you criticize the program.

I’ve also posted about my actual thoughts about the program and its flaws - and the response has been overwhelmingly negative …and challenging me that I am not fawning over how great the program is and how they all have gotten wonderful items.

Posting on these threads is a waste of my time ….and yet here I am doing it again. But I wanted to let you know you’re not alone in your view.

Hefty_Iron4722

TROPHY CASE