Fake or Paid for Amazon Reviews

foxxter wrote: ↑ I recently purchased a EnaSkin product on Amazon it had great reviews so I thought I’d give it a try - I then received a letter addressed to my home a few weeks later asking for a review of the product and in return I’d receive free product or $25 gift card (not a huge deal). Since I didn’t like the product and it didn’t work, I ignored the letter and left a negative review on amazon stating product didn’t work for me.
Today I get an email from EnaSkin asking me to edit or remove my review and in return for my time they will refund me and give me a $25 gift card. I’ve purchased hundreds of items from amazon and never received a letter or email like this! Seems pretty sketchy - are companies allowed to do this? Does this happen a lot?

foxxter wrote: ↑ So I can’t report the seller to amazon or anything?

engineered wrote: ↑ It's very common. I assume most positive reviews are paid for. When i get a letter like that, I comply, get the money, then put the negative review back up, along with the warning that I was offered money to remove it.

FrostyBytes wrote: ↑Does it only work for certain brands? or Amazon Sponsored item? EnaSkin I've never heard of the brand (you should try "The Ordinary" from Deciem!

Supercooled wrote: ↑ That doesn't make you any more ethical. As long as you understand that and fine with it, more power to you.

engineered wrote: ↑ I think you can. Not sure if they'll do anything.

We apologize but Amazon is not accepting reviews on this product from this account. If you would like to contact us about this decision, please email [email protected].

BobSagget wrote: ↑ It's ONLY for this product too. All the other products I've purchased, I can write a review if I feel like it.
So what the hell? Did someone report it thinking it was a shill review or something? And Amazon agreed? Why would I need to shill for Pfister?

I didn't bother to contact them over a silly little product like that. I just said forget it, I am not going to bother writing reviews at all for any products anymore.

Hangman88 wrote: ↑ Hi, just thought I’d add to this thread. Amazon does take review manipulation very seriously (so I was told) You can report the seller and they will risk having their account suspended. But most just take the free gift bribe and be on their marry way. It sure beats going through customer service, IMO. But the choice is yours

BobSagget wrote: ↑ I am wondering if this is what happened with one of my recent reviews.

I bought a replacement pop-up drain from the amazon warehouse (Pfister brand). Since it was in the Warehouse, it was dirt cheap (<$10).
With the price I paid and how easy it was to install, I was impressed, so I left a positive review. I also included a picture showing how the one I received didn't have "Pfister" engraved on it like the production pictures showed.

Amazon posted the review a couple days later. Then a week after that I noticed my review disappeared on the product page.
When I go back to "write a product review" for that particular item, I get this:


It's ONLY for this product too. All the other products I've purchased, I can write a review if I feel like it.
So what the hell? Did someone report it thinking it was a shill review or something? And Amazon agreed? Why would I need to shill for Pfister?

I didn't bother to contact them over a silly little product like that. I just said forget it, I am not going to bother writing reviews at all for any products anymore.

lpin14 wrote: ↑ I only trust the Verified Purchase reviews