My Opinion On The Bias Of Hookah Product Reviews

[rj_skillz]

[quote name='SmokingShaolin' timestamp='1295386087' post='494869']
I missed the first review...
Only saw the second..
[/quote]

Huge clouds in the first video..weak clouds in the second video.

All of a sudden? How comes?...

[shaffaaf27]

really a need to brin gup a dead thread? could have been posted ont he izundu thread

[mushrat]

perhaps we should just kill that one and carry on the discussion of reviews here without turning it into a bash fest...

[Arcane]

For the most part, I think biases stem from 2 reasonings. Either "I don't want to stop getting free stuff" or "I don't want to hurt the vendor's feelings". I understand that vendors use some people as part of their marketing, I honestly feel that the reviewer should own up to it. For instance, "Vendor X sent me this product, so I have to say something good about it." Granted, that's likely not to happen, because Vendor X will not appreciate the fact that a positive review was "forced".

It's pretty sad that the honest and unbiased reviewers will never get as much notice as the ones that can be bought.

[joytron]

[quote name='Arcane' timestamp='1295408934' post='494946']
For the most part, I think biases stem from 2 reasonings. Either "I don't want to stop getting free stuff" or "I don't want to hurt the vendor's feelings". I understand that vendors use some people as part of their marketing, I honestly feel that the reviewer should own up to it. For instance, "Vendor X sent me this product, so I have to say something good about it." Granted, that's likely not to happen, because Vendor X will not appreciate the fact that a positive review was "forced".

It's pretty sad that the honest and unbiased reviewers will never get as much notice as the ones that can be bought.
[/quote]

Which is exactly why I wish you would review stuff.

[Arcane]

[quote name='joytron' timestamp='1295421782' post='494978']
[quote name='Arcane' timestamp='1295408934' post='494946']
For the most part, I think biases stem from 2 reasonings. Either "I don't want to stop getting free stuff" or "I don't want to hurt the vendor's feelings". I understand that vendors use some people as part of their marketing, I honestly feel that the reviewer should own up to it. For instance, "Vendor X sent me this product, so I have to say something good about it." Granted, that's likely not to happen, because Vendor X will not appreciate the fact that a positive review was "forced".

It's pretty sad that the honest and unbiased reviewers will never get as much notice as the ones that can be bought.
[/quote]

Which is exactly why I wish you would review stuff.
[/quote]

I know, sorry. I usually have an opinion on all the stuff I own/tried, but on one occasion (maybe more), I spoke negatively of some products. I could tell some attitudes changed towards me, because of my opinion. Lately, I've just kept my opinions to myself.

A review of razan coals is coming up though. I still have to use them with a bowl of Tangiers before forming my opinions.

[joytron]

[quote name='Arcane' timestamp='1295423837' post='494986']
[quote name='joytron' timestamp='1295421782' post='494978']
[quote name='Arcane' timestamp='1295408934' post='494946']
For the most part, I think biases stem from 2 reasonings. Either "I don't want to stop getting free stuff" or "I don't want to hurt the vendor's feelings". I understand that vendors use some people as part of their marketing, I honestly feel that the reviewer should own up to it. For instance, "Vendor X sent me this product, so I have to say something good about it." Granted, that's likely not to happen, because Vendor X will not appreciate the fact that a positive review was "forced".

It's pretty sad that the honest and unbiased reviewers will never get as much notice as the ones that can be bought.
[/quote]

Which is exactly why I wish you would review stuff.
[/quote]

I know, sorry. I usually have an opinion on all the stuff I own/tried, but on one occasion (maybe more), I spoke negatively of some products. I could tell some attitudes changed towards me, because of my opinion. Lately, I've just kept my opinions to myself.

A review of razan coals is coming up though. I still have to use them with a bowl of Tangiers before forming my opinions.
[/quote]

yes, I need to write one as well. I did not have high hopes, but I am quite impressed. In fact if they are cheaper than cocos, I might have to switch over. Looking forward to at least more tang reviews.

[Chreees]

[quote name='Arcane' timestamp='1295423837' post='494986']
I know, sorry. I usually have an opinion on all the stuff I own/tried, but on one occasion (maybe more), I spoke negatively of some products. [b] I could tell some attitudes changed towards me, because of my opinion.[/b] Lately, I've just kept my opinions to myself.

A review of razan coals is coming up though. I still have to use them with a bowl of Tangiers before forming my opinions.
[/quote]

I feel the same way, Jay...

[thehelios]

The only time I got a free product to try out was Jewels Blueberry tobacco and I very much said that stuff tastes like crap, I think. I think I gave it a 6/10 but it deserves more of a -1/10.

You just need to have a very unbiased mind set when doing reviews. I think the joy of getting a free product easily gets to these people's heads. There really should be a week long break between receiving a product and actually reviewing it to get past that emotion.

[ih303]

Personally I think tobacco reviews on YouTube are pretty pointless. It's like me making a video reviewing a handful of green M&M's or the color [color="#ff8c00"][b]ORANGE[/b][/color][color="#000000"] - It's totally subjective! Honestly, I'd rather see some site or forum (hint, hint) keep track of their reviews so that at any point you could bring up stats on the popularity of brands/flavors like, "What was the most popular Tangiers flavor last year?" This would be far more helpul than a video of some guy smoking and saying, "It's good."

On the other hand, I really like seeing videos of new gear. It's nice when there's something familiar used as a frame of reference so you can see the differences, good or bad, right in front of your face. I think the video for the izundu hookah could have really benefitted from this.[/color]

[jordan]

IMO, reviews can be very helpful when people stick to the facts rather than inject their own personal bias into the review. For example, if you are reviewing a Srawberry flavoured shisha, all I want to know besides the color and the cut whether it actually smells/tastes like strawberries, is the flavour strong and does it match the smell and how long does it last. I know its hard to not be influenced by your own taste but the subjective stuff should be kept to a minimum.


[quote name='ih303' timestamp='1295537107' post='495111']
Personally I think tobacco reviews on YouTube are pretty pointless. It's like me making a video reviewing a handful of green M&M's or the color [color="#ff8c00"][b]ORANGE[/b][/color][color="#000000"] - It's totally subjective! Honestly, I'd rather see some site or forum (hint, hint) keep track of their reviews so that at any point you could bring up stats on the popularity of brands/flavors like, "What was the most popular Tangiers flavor last year?" This would be far more helpul than a video of some guy smoking and saying, "It's good."

On the other hand, I really like seeing videos of new gear. It's nice when there's something familiar used as a frame of reference so you can see the differences, good or bad, right in front of your face. I think the video for the izundu hookah could have really benefitted from this.[/color]
[/quote]

[Arcane]

[quote name='jordan' timestamp='1295551378' post='495122']
IMO, reviews can be very helpful when people stick to the facts rather than inject their own personal bias into the review.[b] For example, if you are reviewing a Srawberry flavoured shisha, all I want to know besides the color and the cut whether it actually smells/tastes like strawberries, is the flavour strong and does it match the smell and how long does it last.[/b] I know its hard to not be influenced by your own taste but the subjective stuff should be kept to a minimum.


[quote name='ih303' timestamp='1295537107' post='495111']
Personally I think tobacco reviews on YouTube are pretty pointless. It's like me making a video reviewing a handful of green M&M's or the color [color="#ff8c00"][b]ORANGE[/b][/color][color="#000000"] - It's totally subjective! Honestly, I'd rather see some site or forum (hint, hint) keep track of their reviews so that at any point you could bring up stats on the popularity of brands/flavors like, "What was the most popular Tangiers flavor last year?" This would be far more helpul than a video of some guy smoking and saying, "It's good."

On the other hand, I really like seeing videos of new gear. It's nice when there's something familiar used as a frame of reference so you can see the differences, good or bad, right in front of your face. I think the video for the izundu hookah could have really benefitted from this.[/color]
[/quote]
[/quote]


that's entirely subjective....reviews in general are subjective, there's no getting around it. unless there's a defined quota, you're always going to get subjectivity....for instance, Mizo Guava - i can say, it smells and tastes just like a slightly overripe guava. another person will truthfully say, "it smells like cat urine." in both cases, that is our honest opinion...who's to says who's right?

for tobacco reviews, the only definite you can validate "Is the name spelled correctly?" or "Is it reasonable to assume the tobacco flavor packaged matches the label on the box?" Taste, smell, and satisfaction are ALL subjective.

[ukhookah]

I take all reviews with a pinch of salt. I've found shishas that I think were the dogs bollocks on 1st then the realise that the stuff aint all that great. Personally I find any new shisha for the 1st smokes tend to give positve feel, however after afew sessions I change my mind. There's only a handful of shishas that I end up smoking again. Most others are as I describe "great as one off". I used to buy 250g mnost of the times and be stingy with the shisha, as I've been smoking for a while, I tend to now only get 100g of the same shisha and packed the bowl to the max. Simply becaosue I know the shisha will end up just sitting and going stale and itl just be another wasted shisha.

To sum it up, I think most guys on reviews will give a thumbs up to a shisha that is new to them and tried it for the 1st time. Review it after smoking it numerous times later I'm sure the scores would be different. As the saying goes "proof of the pudding" check the reviews out for most of the shishas - they tend to score around 8 most of the times. If I were to review a shisha from my 1st experiance, most would get 7+. If I were to review it later, a lot I'd score 5+.

Just my thought.

[jordan]

I agree it is subjective and every person has different taste palates but sometimes you can tell if the person is really being objective or just plain hates/loves the product and has an obvious motive to denounce a product and vice versa. For example, when a nakhla or Desi Murli fan reviewng a Starbuzz or similar modern tobacco describes a candy like fruity flavour as "crap" or "dog squeez" or use the word "makes me vomit" I know he is not being objective and has obvious dislike for the product since I'm pretty sure fruits smell rather pleasant. I would expect from an honest reviewer to basically describe the flavour/smell as it is but also mention it is not his cup of tea. I personally have certain taste and flavours that I like and other I would not touch and before I buy I like to read/watch several reviews and basically look for a common theme between them and then decide.


[quote name='Arcane' timestamp='1295570203' post='495164']
[quote name='jordan' timestamp='1295551378' post='495122']
IMO, reviews can be very helpful when people stick to the facts rather than inject their own personal bias into the review.[b] For example, if you are reviewing a Srawberry flavoured shisha, all I want to know besides the color and the cut whether it actually smells/tastes like strawberries, is the flavour strong and does it match the smell and how long does it last.[/b] I know its hard to not be influenced by your own taste but the subjective stuff should be kept to a minimum.


[quote name='ih303' timestamp='1295537107' post='495111']
Personally I think tobacco reviews on YouTube are pretty pointless. It's like me making a video reviewing a handful of green M&M's or the color [color="#ff8c00"][b]ORANGE[/b][/color][color="#000000"] - It's totally subjective! Honestly, I'd rather see some site or forum (hint, hint) keep track of their reviews so that at any point you could bring up stats on the popularity of brands/flavors like, "What was the most popular Tangiers flavor last year?" This would be far more helpul than a video of some guy smoking and saying, "It's good."

On the other hand, I really like seeing videos of new gear. It's nice when there's something familiar used as a frame of reference so you can see the differences, good or bad, right in front of your face. I think the video for the izundu hookah could have really benefitted from this.[/color]
[/quote]
[/quote]


that's entirely subjective....reviews in general are subjective, there's no getting around it. unless there's a defined quota, you're always going to get subjectivity....for instance, Mizo Guava - i can say, it smells and tastes just like a slightly overripe guava. another person will truthfully say, "it smells like cat urine." in both cases, that is our honest opinion...who's to says who's right?

for tobacco reviews, the only definite you can validate "Is the name spelled correctly?" or "Is it reasonable to assume the tobacco flavor packaged matches the label on the box?" Taste, smell, and satisfaction are ALL subjective.
[/quote]