How we’re spreading the word about Which? this week

Hi Wev – I did two negative reviews relating to safety concerns about products sold by Amazon Marketplace traders and they are still there.

I do recall someone saying that they had been blocked from posting reviews. It might have been ‘Socketman’, the late David Peacock, who used to post in the Convos on two pin plugs. He was trying to get the sale of pepper spray banned on UK websites, which I believe he achieved.

Here is the post by Keith Young: https://conversation.which.co.uk/travel-leisure/user-reviews-trust-tripadvisor/#comment-1419492

I’ve done some negative reviews on Amazon and never had a review rejected. However, one needs to know how Amazon categorises its reviews.

There are actually two different categories: the first is for products. The second, however, is where some people fall foul of their rules, because it’s not about products, it’s about the Marketplace retailer selling the product. You’re encouraged to write reviews about both, but the product category is usually the only category people think about.

That annoying email you get after buying something from a Marketplace trader is the company asking you for a seller review. It’s not really made as clear as it ought to be, and it’s slightly awkward to use. But that’s where you can leave negative reviews about the seller.

Marketplace traders on Amazon are something of a minefield. In the early days they were far from reliable but gradually Amazon has brought them into line.

However, it’s worth noting that Amazon offers one of the better online shopping experiences; something I was reminded about, recently. I’ve long argued that Amazon is not destroying the high street as some would claim; the High Street is, in fact, doing a pretty good job of that all by itself, as my recent experience proved.

A woman was interviewed on the news about Mothercare. She said when her children were young she went to Mothercare, now her children are having children, they go to Amazon.

In the early days, Amazon sold everything cheaper than on the High Street, but now we have few High Street stores left, their prices are higher.

Ian, you and I will have to disagree on Amazon destroying the High Street, but I sorely miss having a choice of products in a choice of shops I can see and examine when making purchasing decisions.

alfa, I agree there are many products that benefit from being examined before you buy. We recently bought a high chair from Mothercare and checking their construction, utility and robustness was key in the decision as to what to buy. I don’t want to have the hassle of returning goods that look good on screen but not in the flesh.

I use Amazon for some purchases but for others do physical research first and then choose where to buy.

George: please do move it. I only noticed it was out of place after I’d posted 🙂

Buying jewelry gifts causes a similar headache when the photographs of pendants, lockets etc are twice the size on screen than they are in the hand.
Size and weight can easily be distorted and these days, when posting items, it is essential to know both.