http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/ Engadget Comments for Belkin pleads for mercy over paid Amazon reviews deception http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 6:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 7:01AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 7:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 7:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/
Every time I spoke out about their design flaws or quality issues my comments/reviews where down-ranked.]]>Jan 19th 2009 7:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/
In a free society (or rather, as free as we have left), govt can't prevent companies from lying, cheating, or stealing any more than police can prevent murder. The govt can provide oversight and punishment after the fact, but that's about it. I mean, you don't want tools like wireless wiretapping so they can prevent crimes before they take place, do you?

What you can do though is far more effective: don't support companies who lie, cheat, or steal.

And there's where it's hard, isn't it BobTurbo? That means that you're going to have to do some work (diligence, research) and maybe even sacrifice a bit (not buy that cool product from companyX - like Belkin - because they're a bad company). Instead, you'd rather just "let the government do it for you [us]". I mean, that's what it's there for, right?

]]>Jan 19th 2009 7:37AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Engineers like having fun and producing cool products and devices, and exploring ideas in mechanical things. Business people like to make money. Greed is inherent in both capitalism and the free market, but, as in any dynamic system, a certain homeostasis needs to be present or the system will careen off in one direction or the other in some chaotic way. Ethics, and external monitoring are what prevents ambition from becoming greed. The Belkin boys did something wrong. I bet the president, or at least the marketing boys superiors knew what was going on. We here on engadget love gadgets. Money is the means to buy toys, and not the scorecard for many of us. For business people, money is the scorecard. ]]>Jan 19th 2009 8:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/
]]>Jan 19th 2009 9:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/
Second, you mention surveillance and preventing crimes before they take place- while surveillance raises significant privacy concerns for individuals, a business is *not* a person, the only problem with intrusive surveillence is the potential for industrial espionage. You would be opposed to publicly disclosing all your personal financial details, yet public companies already do this. They are not comparable situations, so the same privacy conditions don't apply.

But surveillence or not, there *should* be consequences for companies that act unethically beyond loss of sales, and thats precicely what role the government plays. In fact, that's why we pay taxes, so the government can act collectively representing us.]]>Jan 19th 2009 10:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 11:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/
"Everything you see around you is a result of the capitalist system and the progress made through it."

So the public school I attended for 12 years and the highway that brought me there are all the result of capitalism? Gee, Thanks Capitalism!]]>Jan 19th 2009 12:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/
What you describe is a result of socialism; the idea that everyone should have the opportunity to participate in capitalism.

Incidentally, socialism rocks for this very reason. Communism does not. ;)]]>Jan 19th 2009 1:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/
Did you consider maybe not buying Belkin problems after the second time you had problems. I'm assuming you kept buying since you said "all my Belkin gear." Either you weren't smart enough to stop buying their stuff since you repeatedly had issues or you exaggerating.]]>Jan 19th 2009 5:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 6:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 6:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/
As for this Belkin biz, yeah every company does it but it's not excusable. Since they were openly busted I think it's only fair to backlash some. I do most of my electronics shopping online. Much of it based on online reviews. I will NOT be buying Belkin after this.]]>Jan 19th 2009 1:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 6:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 6:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 7:01AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/
Shocking really. This is a PR disaster for them and serves them right for trying to dupe people who aren't computer savvi. Its people like our parents who take these fake reviews in to account when purchasing products and when they fail its us who get the calls to fix them.

I'll never buy another Belkin product again and urge you to advise all of your family to do the same.

(I wonder if Belkin will try and get their review army to game the comments here on Engadget?)]]>Jan 19th 2009 8:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 8:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 4:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/
If I could rate this company on integrity, I would give them 5 out of 5. Full marks.

I will be down-ranking anyone who says negative things about them.]]>Jan 19th 2009 6:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 7:01AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 7:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 10:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 9:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 7:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/
Nice to hear this, but I doubt if they'd found out themselves privately that they'd be removed. And you know it's common practice.]]>Jan 19th 2009 7:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 9:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 7:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 7:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 7:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 7:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 7:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 7:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 7:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 7:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/
I still say this looks like the aciton someone wanting to HURT Belkin would do - post a fake "from Belkin" note...

]]>Jan 19th 2009 7:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/
Also, the tone of the letter from Belkin doesn't sound like they think this was a fake, or I would assume they would mention it, as that sure would be damining for Belkin.

So while what you say seems possible, from what I see, I think it's highly unlikely that the post was fake, and that Belkin isn't confident it was posted by their employee.]]>Jan 19th 2009 9:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/They should not have admitted anything, now they are thoroughly exposed to everybody except for the clinically naïve.]]>Jan 19th 2009 12:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 7:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 7:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 8:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/
and if all they are doing is skewing the responses upward by writing their own glowing reviews and burying the bad ones... how do you do research? Buy a piece of their equipment? kinda defeats the "research before you buy"...

On the other hand, actual teeth in the fraud laws might be incentive to avoid that kind of practice.
]]>Jan 19th 2009 8:01AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 10:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 8:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 8:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 8:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/19/belkin-pleas-for-mercy-over-paid-amazon-reviews-deception/Jan 19th 2009 8:46AM