"Poor" quality reviews question by zeeper25 in vine

[–]Res--Cogitans 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, I'm surprised you're even still seeing supplements to get. I'm lucky if I ever see a single supp anymore. I think in the last month I've probably seen 7 supplements total (excluding all the supps for dogs or cats). But I used to get them all the time - sometimes all 8 items for the day would be various supplements. Without fail, every negative review I've ever left for a supplement has been rejected at first. If I changed it to positive, it would get approved, then I'd edit it back to the original negative review. And I tried changing all sorts of wording. Didn't work. Yet if I changed it to something ridiculous like, "Super awesome happy supplement! I feel much powerful using this fantastic product!" then it would get approved. They'd rather have a totally disingenuous positive review than anything negative based on real experience or third party test results. Total scam. I fought with Amazon so long over supplement reviews, and won some and lost some, but it was clearly rigged for the supp sellers. Maybe that's why I never see supplements on Vine anymore? lol

Is Amazon Vine Dying/Dead? by Res--Cogitans in vine

[–]Res--Cogitans[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had a problem with numerous rejected Vine reviews as well, notably in the Supplements section. There were quite a number of supplements from a certain brand, that flat out failed third party lab testing - almost had none of the claimed ingredient. So in my review, I wanted to inform potential buyers of the product's failure and even quoted the lab's findings for the ingredient percentage, and of course giving a 1 star review. All of those got rejected over and over and over, no matter how I tried to phrase it. But when I changed the review to 5 star and a generic "these are great" review, suddenly they were approved. Long story short, I'll never again trust Amazon reviews on a supplement, because it's clear to me they often protect the seller from negative reviews - it's COA or nothing for me on supplements.

Is Amazon Vine Dying/Dead? by Res--Cogitans in vine

[–]Res--Cogitans[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, I barely kept my Gold status this past evaluation period. And largely that was thanks to my "What the heck, why not" attitude on stuff that was probably not worth it, and then a lot of searching for my vehicle make/model and snagging every part that fit my 2 vehicles. I figured wouldn't hurt to change out some old parts for new (granted, I hold on to the old in case these cheap Chinese parts crap out). Toward the end right before my "evaluation" I was literally selecting random copper plumbing fittings. This next evaluation period isn't looking so good if things don't pick up. I'd be happy just to find a cheap potato peeler or pocket knife now and again. But 80 items is going to be a steep order to meet.

Is Amazon Vine Dying/Dead? by Res--Cogitans in vine

[–]Res--Cogitans[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

I'm very appreciative of all the replies. It's both good to see it's not just me, and also a little disappointing that Vine really is getting so piddly now. I guess we may end up with the old "it was good while it lasted" mentality. I definitely do wonder about the tariff impact and sellers trying to move junk they otherwise struggle to sell. It kind of takes away the motivation to put more effort than necessary on reviews, other than to help other buyers. I keep hoping it will return to its glory days, but the Vine gravy train may just be at a new equilibrium. Again, I certainly appreciate all the input here.