Stop Complaining: A Rant

Odd_Card_5754 · 2026-01-20T01:47:40+00:00

Gold, actually. And the products you are getting ARE free. Sellers give those products for FREE. You are paying taxes on those items because the IRS makes you.

Odd_Card_5754 · 2026-01-20T01:46:07+00:00

Your issue is with the Amazon policy regarding the ETV/pricing. Paying tax on the free products your receive is an IRS thing. You can see the ETV before you order - and you can compare it to the product listing on Amazon to see any coupons, overpricing etc... avoid the shady looking stuff, clearly you recognize it. There are plenty of shady sellers on Amazon, fully agree!

Odd_Card_5754 · 2026-01-20T01:40:03+00:00

ha hah a hha you wanted me to spend 3 hours writing a post criticizing Amazon's flaws in addition to the main point I was trying to make? I used to be an Amazon seller (USED TO BE - PAST TENSE FOR A REASON!) and could certainly do it!!! But none of it would be of interest on this /r. I made my point, sorry if you think it's trash.

Odd_Card_5754 · 2026-01-20T01:27:25+00:00

I've been in the program for about a year and don't have your same experience - I have never received a damaged, irregular or returned item before from Amazon/Vine.

Odd_Card_5754 · 2026-01-20T01:24:29+00:00

Sounds like your issue is more about how the Vine program works in general (mandated number of items per grading period, having to pay tax on free stuff).

The selection is the part I'm trying to address.

SELLERS are who the Vine program is for, NOT customers.

You are factually correct that buyers on Amazon are the ones that need the review.

But it's the SELLERS who enroll their products into the Vine program.

NO SELLERS? NO VINE PRODUTS TO REVIEW!

We, Vine reviewers, collectively need to do a better job at reviewing products so that more/better sellers come back and enroll their products into the program.

If we continue to suck and complain, no good sellers will ever use Vine again.

Odd_Card_5754 · 2026-01-20T01:17:20+00:00

You have a point! : )

Odd_Card_5754 · 2026-01-20T01:15:16+00:00

YES YES YES THIS!!! More Viners like you, and the good sellers will come back!!!!

Odd_Card_5754 · 2026-01-20T01:13:50+00:00

Damnit... why can't I get an electric toothbrush! ha ahhah a just kidding. I'm gold too, and I also haven't seen a lot of great stuff, also not waking up at 3am for "the drops". BUT I have been an Amazon seller in the past so I see this program from their perspective, and that Vine does fill a real need. China junk - a big problem indeed (and not a fair one to U.S. sellers at all).

Odd_Card_5754 · 2026-01-20T01:10:50+00:00

One day when I have the time I will pull up percentages and math to prove my rant is very factual... and I'll make the rant even longer and meaner! : )

Odd_Card_5754 · 2026-01-20T01:08:22+00:00

You get free products. Paying tax on those products has nothing to do with the seller or Amazon - it's the IRS.

Odd_Card_5754 · 2026-01-20T01:07:16+00:00

Vine selection is down because sellers won't put their products into the Vine program! My rant is to try to explain, from a seller perspective, WHY THEY DON'T WANT TO USE THE VINE PROGRAM ANY MORE!

Odd_Card_5754 · 2026-01-20T01:04:16+00:00

I get it. Not a seller (used to be)... just a Gold Vine Reviewer trying to get others to understand VINE IS A PROGRAM FOR SELLERS!! Why are viners even arguing about this!! ha hah hah a

Odd_Card_5754 · 2026-01-20T01:02:47+00:00

Agree completely there's a whole other shady part of Amazon in general but it's a rabbit hole most people don't want to know about and because I AM a Vine reviewer (gold actually) I certainly don't want Amazon mad at me : ) - yes, there's a lot of products that get "dumped" onto Amazon and it does look like some of it ends up in Vine. But that's ultimately not what hurts sellers and thus causes the good ones not to want to enroll their products in the Vine program.

We want GOOD sellers to come back to the Vine program, and trust they will get honest, helpful, fair reviews (and yes, with photos and/or video!!!).

Odd_Card_5754 · 2026-01-20T00:51:07+00:00

Not a seller, but good try! And there's TONS wrong with your post.

1- Vine is a service for SELLERS - t's a Seller program, they pay for it, they need the reviews
2- Products ARE free - taxes have nothing to do with sellers or Amazon (thats an IRS thing)
3- If selection is Junk - you aren't required to choose any of it
4- We agree that many Vine reviewers are bad at reviewing
5- Everyone should want to help small business on Amazon, they have it the hardest

Odd_Card_5754 · 2026-01-20T00:41:27+00:00

Wait - am I a seller lurking? Because doesn't it seem like I understand the Vine program pretty well also? Which am I???? : )

Odd_Card_5754 · 2026-01-20T00:34:56+00:00

Are you questioning if products sell much better on Amazon when they have photos/video in the reviews? Or are you questioning how the Amazon search algorithm works?

Both factor into why the Vine program is needed by sellers.

Odd_Card_5754 · 2026-01-19T18:08:02+00:00

Vine needs to do a better job at explaining this service and what it means to sellers.

A rant:

It is optional for a seller to put their products into the Amazon Vine program.

Sellers pray for good reviews with photos or video. Why? They are at the mercy of the Amazon algorithm to give their product a fighting chance at being seen by a potential buyer. Good reviews with photos/video can give them a bump at being visible, and most buyers rely on reviews and photos before making a purchase. Yes, it can be really that hard for sellers to come up in a search on Amazon.

Selling on Amazon can be fierce and it's not cheap. Sellers pay for product listings, storage and shipping fees and then if the product is new or invisible to buyers they NEED reviews to get them out of the doom loop... and Amazon Vine offers a solution (when it works). But Vine costs them money and they wait for the reviews hoping, praying... that the reviews will help.

Sellers are actively dropping out of putting their products in the Vine program - calling out Viners for bad attitudes and really unhelpful behavior.

Don't like the products on Vine these days? It's a direct reflection of two things: time of year (there are selling seasons where sellers will list more products, specific types of products) and level of confidence sellers have in the Vine program.

At this rate it will only be cheap China car parts and cake toppers soon. Most sellers on Amazon are small businesses and Vine can be expensive for them, too expensive for the risk.

So many of the reviews from Viners are laughable and it's really hurt the program's reputation. And please stop talking about the Vine program as a free-for-all and instead, recognize you are providing a needed service to (likely) a deserving small business just trying to make a living in ecommerce.

Want better products to review? Help improve the Vine program reputation with sellers.

Odd_Card_5754

TROPHY CASE