• Captain Aggravated@sh.itjust.works
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    16 days ago

    You know how XKCD sometimes draws fantasy maps of like, the internet or something? I’m picturing a map like that of internet marketplaces, and there’s a dark amorphous cloud whose nature I’m not entirely sure of that strongly compels sellers to need 5-star reviews like a smack addict.

    In a healthy, honestly run marketplace, 5.0 ratings will functionally never happen. Because idiots exist. For example, I bought a small inverter that runs off of drill batteries. It’s powered from a 20v lithium ion battery pack meant to run power tools, it has a standard American Type B power socket on it to power things that run on AC, but it’s limited to 150 watts. The reviews were divided into two camps: 4 and 5 star reviews from those who understood that last sentence, and 1 and 2 star reviews from those who don’t.

    I really don’t want to buy a product that has a few 5 star reviews, because that almost certainly means it’s dropshipped Chinese garbage, the reviews are either fake or coerced.