Long time visitors might be aware of my suspicions that a stalking Amazon reviewer had burrowed their way into The Cupboard leaving one star reviews for the Nod offs that left a bad taste in the mouth and a suspicious feeling in the gut.
It all began when the last Nod off title was published and it transpired that the author came in a wake of similar reviews. When a bad review appeared and it appeared largely unfounded I have always alerted Amazon. Up til now they were unable to do much.
Last week a review appeared for Nod off in Italian stating that the reviewer didn't have a copy of the Nod off, nor did he ever intend to, followed by some scathing remarks about the approach.
Like a ferret up a drainpipe, I contacted Amazon and lo and behold they removed the review (and all traces of the reviewer) within an hour.
I was amazed. It was the first time it had happened. It looks like Amazon are determined to stamp out any negative behaviour on the reviewing front. And as the publisher, it made me feel a little less powerless.
3 comments:
It is a strange paradox that you can't post a review unless you have bought something from Amazon within recent memory -- but you don't have to have bought, or ever read, the book you're reviewing.
As I do not own a credit card (and am desperately trying to avoid doing so) I have never bought anything from Amazon. I have occasionally glanced at reviews on there after being alerted by other people.
I really do wonder where most of the reviews come from and would probably distrust 99% of them. Tell me if I am wrong.
Nice to hear from you ,H. Hope your book is going well.
Yes, Amazon reviewing is rather open to abuse. I wonder whether buying a hairdryer off Amazon would mean you could review a book?
And, Cat, I know many people like you are wise enough to dismiss reviews but when it comes to non-fiction (like the Nod offs), I wonder whether they carry more weight.
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