SS ROTS Yoda Jedi Master Figure

[DCFett]

Objectivity alas is not relevant if the review is sponsored by the product.

No disrespect, but that's real talk right there. Especially with SS cause they don't even post objective comments about products on their own website.

 

[devilof76]

Why would they post bad reviews on their own website? And who's to say a negative opinion is genuinely objective? Anyone who's spent any time around here knows well enough to be skeptical of negative opinions. The anti-SSC bias is far more rampant here (um, a fan forum) than pro-SSC bias.

That said, sponsorship absolutely does not equate to non-objective reviews. If their goal is exposure on the internet, then an honest review is worth their money. Most companies are aware that mindless endorsement is useless.

 

[SixthScaleEdward]

HT uses mindless endorsement.
...
It's super effective!

Kidding aside,

We all know that if Crawford, Sean, Optibotimus, Wendy and Jason, or any other popular reviewer says "buy! highly recommended!"
20-40% of their subs will actually buy.

Nothing proven but you get the point..

 

[Niltusk]

I think it all balances out in the end, just like with movie reviewers or anything else, you will get to know which reviewers suit your tastes best.

 

[devilof76]

We all know that if Crawford, Sean, Optibotimus, Wendy and Jason, or any other popular reviewer says "buy! highly recommended!"
20-40% of their subs will actually buy.

Nothing proven but you get the point..

So what happens when they say don't buy?

 

[Niltusk]

So what happens when they say don't buy?

Personally, if I were reviewing something I thought was ***, I'd just try to be factual and let them make their own decision, after all, my thinking its horrible would just be my opinion still.

 

[devilof76]

Yup. A lot of people seem to think that what makes an objective review is the communication of an honest opinion. It's like they don't believe in the possibility of objectivity, unless they have a consensus to back them up. A majority agrees: objective. A minority disagrees: subjective.

These are the last people I listen to on any given subject. Unfortunately, they tend to have the biggest mouths.

 

[Boba Ben]

I don't watch any toy reviews. If I think something looks cool and I can afford it, I get it. I don't need somebody to tell me what they think of it.

 

[devilof76]

Except Rorywan. I always listen to Rorywan.

 

[Niltusk]

Yup. A lot of people seem to think that what makes an objective review is the communication of an honest opinion. It's like they don't believe in the possibility of objectivity, unless they have a consensus to back them up. A majority agrees: objective. A minority disagrees: subjective.

These are the last people I listen to on any given subject. Unfortunately, they tend to have the biggest mouths.

Such a simple concept, but I 100% agree, many people fail to grasp it.

 

[Boba Ben]

I mean no offense to anyone here, but I don't really think you can review something without offering some sort of subjective opinion. Of course, you can go through the features, explain the accessories. That's all objective. But if we really get down to it, the whole point of a review is to offer your opinion on whether the movie, toy, video game or whatever it may be is worth purchasing or experiencing. That is a subjective stance whether it's a positive or negative one. That being said, a business that sells toys is going to post positive reviews of their products. It makes sense.

The reason I pay no heed to reviews is that I make my own subjective choices and another person's subjective stance on something really has no influence on me. Tons of people hate the stuff that I love, but I don't care as long as it makes me happy.

 

[jedibear]

I watch these reviews as a way to get a "real" look at the figure...I consider a review "good" if I get to see the figure at all angles, see the packaging and how it's presented, see the figure's features (articulation, swap-out parts, accessories, etc) and see all of this in a plainly lit situation. I rarely "listen" to the reviews...I just want to see the figure.

Some folks are good at this (that Opto guy, the Hot Chix lady & Xeno come immediately to mind) and some not so good (SL), but I appreciate folks doing them and giving us a chance to see "the real thing" before we get 'em.

More often than not, the review is of something I've already decided to get...they end up being more of a "preview" than anything else for me...


But I will admit...SL's "review" almost had me doing a CL with this Yoda figure and canceling...saw Opto's effort and reconsidered...so it is easy to get caught up in it all...

 

[SixthScaleEdward]

I watch these reviews as a way to get a "real" look at the figure...I consider a review "good" if I get to see the figure at all angles, see the packaging and how it's presented, see the figure's features (articulation, swap-out parts, accessories, etc) and see all of this in a plainly lit situation. I rarely "listen" to the reviews...I just want to see the figure.

I appreciate folks doing them and giving us a chance to see "the real thing" before we get 'em.

More often than not, the review is of something I've already decided to get...they end up being more of a "preview" than anything else for me...

BIG to all reviewers out there who get things early and give us a good peek.

It's all about getting to see the figure for me.

 

[DCFett]

Why would they post bad reviews on their own website? And who's to say a negative opinion is genuinely objective?

Dude, not what I said at all. Read for understanding.
I was only agreeing that being objective on a product that's being sponsored by the manufacturer is not that realistic and supporting my position with the fact that SS, and I've been around long enough to remember when this was not the case, screens comments about their product on their website. That was all. Don't read more into it than what I wrote.

 

[joda76]

Except Rorywan. I always listen to Rorywan.

Thats funny

I watch these reviews as a way to get a "real" look at the figure...I consider a review "good" if I get to see the figure at all angles, see the packaging and how it's presented, see the figure's features (articulation, swap-out parts, accessories, etc) and see all of this in a plainly lit situation. I rarely "listen" to the reviews...I just want to see the figure.

Some folks are good at this (that Opto guy, the Hot Chix lady & Xeno come immediately to mind) and some not so good (SL), but I appreciate folks doing them and giving us a chance to see "the real thing" before we get 'em.

More often than not, the review is of something I've already decided to get...they end up being more of a "preview" than anything else for me...


But I will admit...SL's "review" almost had me doing a CL with this Yoda figure and canceling...saw Opto's effort and reconsidered...so it is easy to get caught up in it all...

Yea I like them for giving me a better look at it in hand.

 

[Lee in MI]

Any review that is sponsored by a manufacturer or with items supplied by the manufacturer are certainly subject to NOT be very objective with their opinion of the product. Will they honestly point out flaws that are manufacturer failures? Maybe but not very likely.

If Hot Toys sent you an expensive TDKR Catwoman, an almost $200 item, for free, would you really say that the mask is cheaply made and not up to their usual standards...yeah if you're Mike Crawford. But he buys his own *****! If its a supplied by Hot Toys, at best your review is tempered or you may end up buying your items for review.

That's why I usually only read or view reviews by MC or Clipperking.

 

[devilof76]

Dude, not what I said at all. Read for understanding.
I was only agreeing that being objective on a product that's being sponsored by the manufacturer is not that realistic and supporting my position with the fact that SS, and I've been around long enough to remember when this was not the case, screens comments about their product on their website. That was all. Don't read more into it than what I wrote.

I know. And I was disagreeing that it's necessarily the case. There's a difference between SSC's site and reviewers they endorse.

 

[sithlord13]

All reveiws can be poor. ESP film reviews sometimes I read one of those and wonder if I saw the same film.

I don't read many toy reveiws ( mike crawfords is the main exception) for similar reasons. But I do enjoy reviews. ;(
I know that a bit weird but hey.
A good review should show u the thing being reviewed and explainWHY something is good or bad not just tell you it is. Hopefully the reason is then something u can agree or disagree with. Like a likeness or something.

 

[Optibotimus]

I do my best to be as honest as possible. If you saw my review of Yoda, i complained about a few things that i clearly said i would have done differently. I keep my reviews as honest as possible. Which is why a lot of 3rd party TF companies DON'T send me stuff anymore. I am as honest with my opinion as i possibly can be. I point out the negatives as well as the positives. Without trying to sound rude or anything, it's not my job to make you believe me though. I can tell you i remain as honest as possible in my reviews, but when it comes down to it, you're gonna make up your own minds. All i can do is continue doing my reviews the way i always have. I know no one is "picking" on me directly, but rather being general. And it seems like i'm the only "reviewer" here that is speaking up haha.

I'll be BRUTALLY honest though, if i do not like something that is sent to me...i will NOT review it. I understand the business is trying to increase their sales with positive reviews. But if i do not like something, i won't make a video trashing it and i won't make a video praising it and coming across as fake. I realize that the decision to do that makes for consumers not having the knowledge to buy something or not. But i'd rather not burn any bridges with the company in the hopes that they release something else in the future that i probably will love. Not everything is a home run, but more often than not...decent stuff comes out more than crappy stuff.

And to clarify things and in an effort to let you guys know. I pick out the items that i want. So typically speaking, i already have an interest in the item. The only things that SSC does to help facilitate the review, is providing them early for me and provides them for me at a discount. That ranges from 20-30 bucks off. So i wouldn't say i'm being "endorsed" by them. I don't know the arrangement with other people...but MINE is put that way so i can remain honest in my reviews. Hope for the sake of transparency, that helps people understand ME and my reviews a bit more on these figures.

 

[DCFett]

There's a difference between SSC's site and reviewers they endorse.

Yes of course there is. Simply stating that a company like SS, who use to want all this honesty and transparency with their product and fans, are not likely to endorse a reviewer who gives less than an overall swimming nod to their product. Business logical; yes. Who wouldn't do that? However, consumer wise, the "fan review" becomes more of a commercial, and not an unfettered assessment of the item.
Again, no disrespect to Optibotimus, his review is cool and he's been stand up in here and probably a little too transparent with us, but I do appreciate the effort.

Opti, I do think, however, by NOT reviewing a truly bad piece shows that your actions can be swayed by the need to maintain your relationship with the manufacturer, so objectivity is, by its very nature, compromised. That's not a criticism, just an observation and again, no disrespect. Most, if not all of us, in your position, would do the same.

Hell, I like Sean's reviews. They are funny and annoying in an adult swim kinda way. They ought to give him a show on AS!