Belkin's Amazon Rep Paying For Fake Online Reviews

remove office writes "I recently discovered that Belkin's lead online sales rep, Michael Bayard, has been secretly paying internet users to review his company's products favorably on Amazon.com and other websites like Newegg, whether or not they've ever used the devices. Bayard instructed the people he was paying to 'Write as if you own the product and are using it... Mark any other negative reviews as "not helpful" once you post yours.' Ironically, he was using Amazon's own Mechanical Turk service to hire his fraudsters. Did he honestly think he wouldn't get caught? Are Slashdotters aware of other examples of other such blatant astroturfing on behalf of a large tech company like Belkin?"

How can i get some of the money

[He who knows]

I will review any piece of crap i know nothing about for money.

Oh heck

[SpacePunk]

I missed out. If anyone wants me to review their products, I'm sure I can do it for the right price.

Has there been a backlasth?

[roc97007]

Why did Belkin even both to do this? They make wonderful products. Just the other day, I got a Belkin Tunebase FM Transmitter with ClearScan for iPod and it was my best purchase ever. It plays my ipod over the radio with amazing fidelity, and my truck gets better gas mileage to boot. I've sold my home and I'm living out of my truck because the sound is so much better. (Where's my money?)

Seriously, the first thing that needs to happen is a bunch of people should "review" Belkin's products with the evidence that they're faking reviews. It'd pretty much finish them, at least with Amazon customers. This is extremely annoying and we need to make it as painful as possible.

Sorry, i had to Mod you down

[deft]

It wasn't personal, I'm just supposed to do that after I post my glowing review of the belkin backpack as anon. otherwise I dont get paid.

Shillington Labs

[Migraineman]

Shillington Labs provides independent product reviews. Our corporate motto is: "Product Reviews, Your Way!"

Jeez

[AlterRNow]

I went into an electronics store recently and the staff let me try out wireless adapters to find out if it would work on my laptop ( running Ubuntu 8.04 at the time ). The first one we tried was a Belkin USB adapter and it worked fine. I brought it and haven't regretted my purchase in the slightest, in fact, I'd purchase more. The signal strength was way better than other adapters I'd used and it's never dropped the connection ( to a Linksys WRT54G ).

I'd probably recommend them for their hardware but it seems their ethics need to catch up.

Re:Does this come as a surprise?

[kbrasee]

Its like being surprised that a professional was using hGH or 'roids.

... hemroids?

Say it ain't so!

[Dachannien]

First, Belkin is astroturfing Amazon and Newegg. Next thing you'll be telling me is that Monster Cable's stuff isn't actually any better than the generic stuff!

Re:Does this come as a surprise?

[Anonymous Coward]

like being surprised that a professional was using hGH or 'roids

I'd be pretty surprised if my doctor or lawyer was on steroids.

Re:Jeez

[Concerned Onlooker]

OMG. Astroturfing Belkin in a story about astroturfing by Belkin.

Re:I own a Belkin wireless router

[bridgeco]

Netgear PR department? Is that you?

Re:NO....belkin makes horrible products

[Anonymous Coward]

Wow, now I know why you arent the CTO anymore.

Re:Yes, Linux

[Anonymous Coward]

you mean like this post: /. Post [slashdot.org]

Re:Micro$oft!!!

[Bill, Shooter of Bul]

Funny, I wasn't able to find a registered cooperation under that name. It seems like MicroSoft would sue them for the name similarity, if this Micro$oft outfit is at all involved in technology products. I'm guessing from the name that they might make financial software of some sort?

I need to ask...

[Narnie]

Are they still hiring reviewers?

Re:Well ...

[cyber-vandal]

I hear the Nostromo has a really nasty bug.

Re:Has there been a backlasth?

[rk]

The problem with Belkin products is that is extremely difficult to write a review that is both negative and false.

"This Belkin router was actually a Decepticon, which when I was out of the house, would transform and sodomize my pets."

Re:Well Duh

[rajafarian]

I really can't understand why he'd marked them down for the quality.

Maybe he has a crappy sound card or receiver/amp? Or maybe he just can't! I have a friend who can't tell the difference between regular TV and HD (on my 24" Dell LCD monitor for a fact). No kidding. I also showed her some dry, brown, stemmy weed and I go, "Ah, look, such excellent bud!" and she totally agreed until I go, "Dude, this is dry, brown, stemmy weed, yuch!"

Re:Belkin are dodgy

[dotgain]

My grandmother used anecdotal evidence all the time - she lived to be 125, and never had this problem with her Belkin USB hub.

Re:Has there been a backlasth?

[jcuervo]

That's not funny. My best friend's girlfriend's second cousin's roommate's cat died that way.

Re:Does this come as a surprise?

[Nerdfest]

No, that would be Asstroturfing.

Re:Does this come as a surprise?

[dziban303]

I remember that, because I was an "incentivized reviewer" for Sony at the time. I'm just sorry I hadn't gotten the chance to review any Belkin hardware for cash. As most Slashdotters (I think that's a last name in Iceland) know, Belkin stuff is the worst of the worst and I would hesitate in recommending it to my worst enemy (although I would in the end). However, if suitable baksheesh were involved, I'd be happy to sing Belkin's praises from the nearest mountaintop (which is pretty far away considering I live in southern Louisiana).

Re:Jeez

[Anonymous Coward]

The only Belkin products I have ever used were gender changers/adapters and minor accessories.

Well, yes, but medical products are much more heavily regulated...

Re:Doctors

[Gyga]

Treadmill and bike at the same time? Doesn't he know you aren't suppose to multitask?

Re:Micro$oft!!!

[Anonymous Coward]

[citation needed]

Re:Shillington Labs

[DrEasy]

I used Shillington Labs to produce reviews for my company's products, and they were fantastic! I definitely recommend them!