# What's with this Amazon reviewer? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 2, 2015, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-amazon-reviewer/708801 "2015-01-02T20:36:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pohjonen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pohjonen/32/423_2.png) [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-amazon-reviewer/708801/1 "2015-01-02T20:36:49Z")
[This person](http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A2NC70ZJ8VOXGQ/ref=cm_cr_pr_auth_rev?ie=UTF8&sort_by=MostRecentReview) has posted dozens of bad reviews just in the last month on Amazon, and none are verified purchases. They all follow a formula, a complaint about how shitty the product is, followed by a sentence about a friend recommending something else, and a link to another product. There about five just about guitars. However, all the books he reviews get 5 stars. Does someone pay people to tear down competitor products on Amazon? Is there a way to report him? I don’t know why this annoys me so much. I guess it’s because I use Amazon a lot and hate the idea that I can’t trust reviews, good or bad. GRRRR. I guess I should have put this in MPSIMS. It’s too mild for the pit but it is my opinion. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Joker\_and\_the\_Thief](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e79b87/32.png) [@The\_Joker\_and\_the\_Thief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Joker_and_the_Thief)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-amazon-reviewer/708801/2 "2015-01-02T20:46:13Z")
He inserts a referral code (“hubpages0e159-20”) into each of his links, which is disguised because the link is long and hidden because he uses a link shortener. Any time anyone buys anything on amazon after clicking one of his links, he’ll receive a portion of the money. It’s probably a violation of amazon’s TOS, but that’s their problem to sort out. ETA: You can report reviews by clicking on the “comment” link and then clicking on the “report abuse” link. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-amazon-reviewer/708801/3 "2015-01-02T21:06:58Z")
Wow, what a coincidence. I just stumbled on one of those reviews today before coming here. Weird. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-amazon-reviewer/708801/4 "2015-01-02T21:07:05Z")
First page of reviews, the only thing he likes is “_SEO Like I’m 5: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Search Engine Optimization_” Pretty telling. Along with the odd English and other give-aways. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-amazon-reviewer/708801/5 "2015-01-02T21:58:46Z")
He always “has a friend” who advises him of a better product (complete with link). [ul] [li]A nutritionist[/li][li]Works for a battery company[/li][li]A vacuum expert[/li][li]An air conditioner friend[/li][li]A friend who is a drummer in a rock band[/li][li]A guitar repairman[/li][li]My musician friend[/li][li]My friend in the orchestra[/li][li]My professional cook friend[/li][li]My friend the chiropractor[/li][li]My friend the pediatric[/li][li]My friend who works for an ISP[/li][li]Etc.[/li][/ul] Granted, it could all be true but every review I read (about two dozen randomly) follows the same formula format. And **running coach** spotted the sign. Several SEO recommendations spread throughout the reviews. He’s a fake reviewer. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-amazon-reviewer/708801/6 "2015-01-02T22:41:06Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > Granted, it could all be true but every review I read (about two dozen randomly) follows the same formula format. And **running coach** spotted the sign. Several SEO recommendations spread throughout the reviews. > > He’s a fake reviewer. The OP and **Joker** both spotted the scam first. ---
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2015, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-amazon-reviewer/708801/7 "2015-01-03T00:09:58Z")
The same scammer runs a network of sites using various well known black hat methods. He is probably from Croatia. It’s virtually impossible to report this to Amazon, unfortunately. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2015, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-amazon-reviewer/708801/8 "2015-01-03T00:46:49Z")
Why is it impossible to report to Amazon? I pulled up one of the reviews and there is a “Report abuse” link. ---
**Author:** ![LurkerInNJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@LurkerInNJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkerInNJ)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2015, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-amazon-reviewer/708801/9 "2015-01-03T00:57:31Z")
He’s a “fiverr reviewer”. He gets paid to put in the crappy review with the link by the other site, and the author of the crappy ebook pays him for the sweet sweet review. I get a ton of books on Kindle and when you see a lot of reviews offering generic praise (this is an amazingly written book, so interesting!, such a fun book!, this book is so informative, so helpful, highly recommended, etc.) and the title of the book rephrased in their review along with perhaps a single sweeping sentence concerning the subject of the book … it’s a fiverr review. If you click on the user name, you’ll see all their other generic reviews. I’ve seen “reviewers” who post 50 + reviews a day. Amazon knows all about it and doesn’t do a damn thing. [http://www.amazon.com/forum/top%20reviewers?\_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2Z5LRXMSUDQH2&cdThread=Tx1PEVE8EKA2J6O](http://www.amazon.com/forum/top%20reviewers?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2Z5LRXMSUDQH2&cdThread=Tx1PEVE8EKA2J6O) ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2015, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-amazon-reviewer/708801/10 "2015-01-03T01:17:58Z")
Does anyone know if this happens on Barnes and Noble too? I use them more than Amazon for books and I’d hate to think this was commonplace with reviews. Or maybe I should just stop being so naive. ---
**Author:** ![LurkerInNJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@LurkerInNJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkerInNJ)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2015, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-amazon-reviewer/708801/11 "2015-01-03T01:31:04Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > Does anyone know if this happens on Barnes and Noble too? I use them more than Amazon for books and I’d hate to think this was commonplace with reviews. Or maybe I should just stop being so naive. Does B&N offer a money back guarantee on ebooks within a certain number of days if they suck? ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2015, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-amazon-reviewer/708801/12 "2015-01-03T01:37:37Z")
Not that I know of. Does Amazon? ---
**Author:** ![LurkerInNJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@LurkerInNJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkerInNJ)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2015, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-amazon-reviewer/708801/13 "2015-01-03T02:00:23Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > Not that I know of. Does Amazon? Yes. \*Returning Kindle Books Books you purchase from the Kindle Store are eligible for return and refund if we receive your request within seven days of the date of purchase. Once a refund is issued, you’ll no longer have access to the book. To request a refund and return content, visit Manage Your Content and Devices, select the Actions button next to the title you’d like to return, and select Return for refund, or contact customer service.\* Edited to add: Amazon blocks the returns of serial returnees, i.e. people who use Amazon as their personal lending library, but if you got a crappy book that was fake reviewed … they take it back and refund your money as long as it is within seven days of purchase.