Following on @barany's comment....if you buy a piece of gear and like and and happen to find a reviewer who liked....or if you buy a piece of gear because a reviewer liked it and find out you like it, then you may have increased confidence that you and that reviewer have similar taste and expectations...its not a guarantee but a start...and maybe you trust his judgement going forward.
How many reviewers have a forum presence and make themselves known and have an open dialogue? How many reviewers answer the numerous questions and comments they get at the bottom of the article?
In my opinion, we should be thankful to Teajay for putting himself out there and for being accessible. And while we all have the right to disagree...we should do so respectfully and with our own hearing/findings.
In a better world, there would be more "fests" and free return shipping...and no doubt, the product prices would have to go up to cover those costs...and as we all know, there really are no "write offs" as they are really just added cost that have to be deducted from revenues thereby possibly reducing profits...if there are any.
Overall, I feel pretty fortunate with our ability to audition things at home...in the 80's when I started buying more serious gear, there were three high end stores in town (only one remains)...pretty much with these marketing strategies:
1. No you can't take it home2. Take it or leave it3. We don't accept returns
So, if you bought it and didn't like in your home, you could advertise in the paper for several months...knowing that at best you would get 25% of what you paid.
How many reviewers have a forum presence and make themselves known and have an open dialogue? How many reviewers answer the numerous questions and comments they get at the bottom of the article?
In my opinion, we should be thankful to Teajay for putting himself out there and for being accessible. And while we all have the right to disagree...we should do so respectfully and with our own hearing/findings.
In a better world, there would be more "fests" and free return shipping...and no doubt, the product prices would have to go up to cover those costs...and as we all know, there really are no "write offs" as they are really just added cost that have to be deducted from revenues thereby possibly reducing profits...if there are any.
Overall, I feel pretty fortunate with our ability to audition things at home...in the 80's when I started buying more serious gear, there were three high end stores in town (only one remains)...pretty much with these marketing strategies:
1. No you can't take it home2. Take it or leave it3. We don't accept returns
So, if you bought it and didn't like in your home, you could advertise in the paper for several months...knowing that at best you would get 25% of what you paid.