Would you like to read product reviews?

[Michael]

I am curious (for future blog ideas) if you would be interested in reading reviews of parrot products I buy? I go through a lot of stuff. Some good, some bloody awful. I'm willing to share my opinion of them if readers would be interested. And you don't even have to take my word for it. Kili and Truman will be the ultimate judges

If you think I should review products, do you think I should give them ratings (something like 0-10)? Should it just be an overall rating or several types of ratings? What should they be? Quality, Value, and Parrot Appeal?

[lainmai]

I was actually looking to do something like this myself but not until Tobi was older! I would read reviews for sure!!

[Rrrma]

Reviews would be awesome, but maybe from multiple sources and not just you?

I belong to another site(not bird related) that the owner does his own reviews and has members do additional reviews to get multiple opinions. That would be cool.

[lainmai]

Reviews would be awesome, but maybe from multiple sources and not just you?

I belong to another site(not bird related) that the owner does his own reviews and has members do additional reviews to get multiple opinions. That would be cool.

I'm liking this ideas as well - not all birds are the same & might prefer different toys/food/treats/products etc.

I'll put myself and Tobi up as Guinea pigs if you want to go this route Michael

[lzver]

Sounds like a great idea Michael. I know I'd certainly read them.

In turn, if any other member of the forum wants to contribute with a review, I think that would be a welcome contribution as well.

[Rue]

I read reviews, but yes, there should be more than one opinion given.

Even with products like the backpacks...I love them, and Michael doesn't see the point of them. But preference is different than an actual review of the quality of the product...

[Michael]

Reviews would be awesome, but maybe from multiple sources and not just you?

I belong to another site(not bird related) that the owner does his own reviews and has members do additional reviews to get multiple opinions. That would be cool.

Well my readers can always leave their comments through the forum for all of my blog posts. For the time being I'm the only one writing for trainedparrot. It would probably be really difficult to coordinate for multiple people to be able to review the exact same product anyway. So obviously my opinion of it would be biased but I would try to provide as much factual evidence as possible. "look at the fine workmanship, all edges come together perfectly," "the toy had sharp metal barbs sticking out that could injure a parrot," "the swing broke the first time I hung it because it is held together merely by a thin gauge wire," "the toy came with bonus spare parts and mounting hardware so it was easy to fix when the parrot broke it." This is the kind of more objective commentary that I hope to provide. Sure we can debate all day long about what pellet is the best, but I'm really talking about reviewing things that are a little more concrete and results can be observed/videoed.

Just because my parrot is scared of or hates a toy doesn't mean others will of course. But a look at how it's made and if it is worth the price charged is a different story. I'll try to be objective and share all the good/bad. And of course anyone that disagrees can provide their feedback in the blog comments.

I read reviews, but yes, there should be more than one opinion given.

Even with products like the backpacks...I love them, and Michael doesn't see the point of them. But preference is different than an actual review of the quality of the product...

Ok, obviously WHICH products I choose to buy and review presents a bias in itself. Parrots are a hobby so I cannot incur any great expenses just to buy stuff for the sake of review. If it falls into my lap, I can tell you what I think. Otherwise you'll just have to hear about the stuff I chose for my birds. But my goal is to show detailed photos/videos so that you can see for yourself before you buy.

For starters I gotta do a review of the Kings cage I bought. There are many manufacturing impurities let's say. For such an expensive cage, the poor workmanship is a real shame. I'll try to get a few pics to show this soon.

[Rrrma]

Oh, I wrote that wrong. I didn't mean he has multiple people writing reviews for the same single product. He has "guest star" reviewers. It is kind of a "you would be better at reviewing this product than me because it fits into XYZ category, so you do it and I'll post it" kind of thing.

[Kim S]

Maybe before you post the review you can have a discussion on the forums. You can add a rating at the bottom, like an afterthought, "While my rating is even below absolute freezing, the members of theparrotforum.com give this product a 7"

[Natacha]

It is always interesting to hear what other people might think about a certain product, so why not?

Ultimately, it always come down to the reader to decide if yes or no they might consider buying the item - and sometimes a little insight from someone not working for the company and pushing the product will be helpful.

I had wanted to start posting reviews of items I purchased on my blog but it always turns out to be mostly a picture fest of the birds enjoying the new toy - which I guess is a review on it's onw, only more from the birds than from me