The blog of photographer Kim Ayres

Product reviews

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Sometimes my opinion as a blogger is sought after.

Sometimes I’ve been asked to blog about a particular event or cause.

Sometimes I’ve even been asked to review a product.

I must admit I’m always incredibly surprised to be asked. I mean, on average I get about 50 visits a day, most of which are accidental where people were clearly looking for something else. “Gifts for a 9 year old” and “Naked Bearded Men”, seem to be common search threads leading people here, although not in the same sentence I should add. And I can only begin to imagine the disappointment for the recent searcher of “Man thong, hooters

Last year, for example, I was sent 2 Skype Phones to play with as part of drive to create a blogger buzz about them. Packed full of 3G technology and access to the Internet, it was a sort of forerunner of the iPhone. Unfortunately we live in one of the few places in the UK where there isn’t a signal strong enough for 3G technologies to work, so they’ve sat accumulating dust for about 11 months now and no blog review was ever written.

Recently though, I was sought out to review an item and was offered either a sample product to keep or a payment. How much wasn’t mentioned at this point, but it is currently being sold online for only $39.95.

The sales page is nearly 5,000 words long, full of pseudo-scientific explanations and diagrams of active molecules and happy cells. In full detail it spells out all the problems it solves, benefits it gives you, and major enhancements you can expect in your life should you purchase one.

Who would have thought a small adjustable, plastic loop with a magnet glued to it could make so much difference to a man?

I decided not to get involved; partly because gullibility isn’t my middle name (although did you know it’s no longer found in a dictionary?), but mostly because you could make your own with an elastic band and a fridge magnet.

However, if anyone knows the boss of Aston Martin, I’m more than happy to do a 3 year trial of their DBS and write a blog post about that.
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29 comments

Pat said...

I downloaded Skype when part of the family went to Australia and the whole blog seized up so I ditched it.
Weary of every day penis and watches blurb I down loaded an anti-spam which has made not a scrap of difference.
It's nice to know your opinion is valued.

Foot Eater said...

I've come to accept that I have nothing of substance to contribute to the comments on any blog, even my own, but while I'm here I thought I'd point out, apropos your observation re 'gullibility', that the most common word that's found in a dictionary these days is 'found'.

Apex Zombie said...

I've had a couple of those offers, but they're the BS kind. But man, you actually got sent a REAL product to review, that's awesome!

Oh, and if you happen to get in contact with Aston Martin, would you mind putting in a good word for me? :D

Eryl Shields said...

But what was it for?

Anonymous said...

one of my favorite posts of yours was to do with the self heating coffee.

i know it wasn't a review, but the whole thing with the family road trip, just made me smile.

Unknown said...

My current phone was given to me for review - it's a good one too, not a cheapy. Usually though, I'm asked to review services or sites. I find it surprising that I'm asked too.

What on earth is this ring and magnet thing you mentioned? It sounds like money for old rope - I shall start making them immediately.

Mary Witzl said...

I think we could use one of those little plastic tube things here! And an Aston Martin -- that's a car, right?

I once had a friend who did product reviews. She had a house full of state-of-the-art items that were very handy, and she made a modest amount of money doing this. You're a fine writer, you use products -- why not?

Kim Ayres said...

Pat - Skype can be a bit memory heavy if you don't have a relatively new and powerful computer. Make sure your anti-spam stuff is kept up to date though. I'd also say it's worth using a googlemail account as their anti-spam is very good

Foot Eater - hey, you're still alive then? And you were right about "found". I looked it up several times and found "found" quite easily. In fact it got easier every time!

FLG - I wasn't actually sent the product, just the offer to review it in exchange for a sample. I'll keep you in mind with the Aston Martin

Eryl - use your imagination, or ask Stevie. Or ask Bob and watch him turn red.

Sarah - haha, I'd forgotten about that post :)

Kate - I'm sure you can work out what it was. If you're still stumped, I'll forward you an email.

Mary - Aston Martins are wonderful cars. Click on the DBS link in the post.

I'd more than happily review cars, but small loops with magnets on them don't really do it for me :)

fatmammycat said...

Good Lord, they're trying to woo you to the...woo. Don't wear it! They'll be sending distant woo-hoo your way and next thing you know you'll write a book about your 'experiences' and an unsuspecting marathon runners will flinch at the sight of her postman.
Mark my words, that's how it all starts.

Pat said...

I tried to do the google mail account the other day and got lost. I'll try again:)

Kim Ayres said...

FMC - of course it might just be a ruse to make sure people with particular piercings end up stuck to each other...

Pat - I can send you an invite if you like - then you just have to follw the instructions on it

savannah said...

lordy, sugar! i knew if i read the comments, i'd figure out what the magnet and plastic loop was...*snickering like a schoolgirl* xoxox

Charlie said...

I don't know about you, but I think I'd look pretty stupid with my magnetized willie stuck to the refrigerator door . . .

Eryl Shields said...

OK, so the comments here and my imagination, along with a vague knowledge of male problems, have given me some idea. But, it's created so many questions...

Anonymous said...

Goodness...that Aston Martin is a pretty sweet ride!!!
I have never been offered any product for review - not even any fake products! The one you were offered sounds like it could have been fun - or at least good for a laugh! :)

Kim Ayres said...

Savannah - is that not the 2nd time you've snickered like a schoolgirl in the last hlaf dozen posts or so?

Charlie - I dunno, I thonk someone of your wit and style could pull it off...

Eryl - that's the Philosopher in you.

Freakzojd - to be honest, I don't think I'd have felt too good about sending the guy my address to post it to.

Pat said...

Kim I find I've got google mail but when I try to access sections of it it says the page isn't available . I blame Firefox.
My latest adventure is to down load cloud something a spam protector. It didn't seem to do anything and then I realised today it wasn't installed. Now it is and it has a file for the spam and apparently I have so many freedays and then I'm expected to pay which I didn't understand. And I'm asking myself if it is worth it when I used to delete them anyway.
Don't mind me = I'm just burbling.

Kanani said...

I've been offered jewelery and clothes. However, I never have it together enough to say yes to either one of them, and of course --the thought of writing a review is ..well... much easier to do with books I either hate or like.

Kim Ayres said...

Pat - I'm afraid I have no idea why Googlemail isn't working for you. I have Firefox too, and it seems Ok. Do you have the latest version of firefox? Under "Help" on the menubar of FF you can click on "Check for updates". Personally I wouldn't pay for the spam protector thingy, but I don't know that programme or how effective it is.

Kanani - you get offered jewellery and clothes and I get magnetic enhancers. I think you must have considerably higher status than me :)

savannah said...

probably, sugar...but then again, life is getting really complicated over heah. i'll be back eventually xoxo

Anonymous said...

Good point about the address! Also, I forgot to mention before - if anyone asks you to test drive a Harley Davidson I will GLADLY take that one for you. :)

Unknown said...

we used skype when #1 daughter was in Buenos Aires.
And the only things I've been offered is products to enlarge body parts I've never known existed!

Anonymous said...

A magnetic enhancer? (I'm going to pretend I knew it was this all along.) How does that work then? Wouldn't it just make it harder to get your zip down? I don't get it.

Pat said...

I think you're right Kim - comme d'habitude. I'm practising for the French who arrive on Saturday.

Kim Ayres said...

Ssavannah - snickering is definitely the best way to get through life when it's complicated :)

Freakazojd - OK, I'll keepyou in mind for the Harley, espcially as I have no idea how to ride a motorbike :)

Cups - welcome to my ramblings and thank you for taking the time to comment :)

Sam - I think the idea is that it makes it harder for you to get your zip up...

Pat - are you having croissants for breakfast?

redhead83402 said...

oh boy, do I feel like a naive idiot ~ I still don't get how or what these magnetic enhancers might be used for. I didn't even guess that they were for enhancement purposes till I read the very last few commentary posts. Unless perhaps it's to bolster a ladies bosom? But MYY ~ they must be magnets of the rare earth variety, and BIG ones at that ~ else how should they do the job??? Well, I'm stumped, anyhow. :-D
~Red

Kim Ayres said...

Red - imagine a cheap, plastic watchstrap where, instead of a watch there's a magnet. Now instead of placing it on the wrist, strap it to the base of the, er, place of required male enhancement.

That's it.

$39.95

As I mentioned, an elastic band and a fridge magnet would do the same job...

redhead83402 said...

ROFLLL ~ ok, I now have a mental pic, however, I am trying to think of just HOW this actually does any *enhancing*. Does it strap about the waist as well... to uhmm.. uphold all that requires it? or is it like a cobra hood, and is just meant to add a little something EXTRA to the goods, in the hopes that it will then *be all that it can be*?

One last point of confusion.... a watchband in that area just doesn't sound so very pleasant.. isn't that a bit tender?

I suppose this is why I am not nor ever have been nore ever will be a toys-ee type ~ it all sounds too painfully strange. (prude.. I think would fit here...) ;-D
~Red

Kim Ayres said...

Red - I think the idea is it's the magnetic waves are supposed to help blood flow and your aura. There's a whole load of bogus sciency stuff in the 5,000 words of sales pitch

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