Go to Amazon to check out what brand of toaster or vacuum cleaner to buy, or if a DVD set has extra features, and you get a lot of illiterate idiots. How's "Consumer Reports" doing? When will it go "internet only" and then shuffle off into oblivion, like so many periodicals have?
Many newspapers have scuttled their film reviewers and book reviewers because, well, there's the "Rotten Tomatoes" website where, most important, you can see the percentage of ordinary assholes giving their opinion.
Thinking of buying something on Groupon? They dutifully supply you with remarks from buyers. So often it's "the item just arrived in the mail, thanks" or "I gave it to somebody as a gift." Or this:
"I haven't had time to turn it on yet, but it's a great deal." Thanks.
"Windows is hard to follow." Which is why millions use it? Thanks again.
They were referring to the tempting (as they all are) GROUPON offering of a laptop that HP seemed to be trying to dump. Is it refurbished? No. Is it last year's model overstock? Could be. And is the price better at AMAZON or EBAY? Usually is.
Funny, AMAZON seems to be offering a newer and more powerful version...and for less money.
In the old days, you'd go to a store, and trust the salesman (who wants repeat business) to sell you the best model. You might check "Consumer Reports" first, too. Now? You're lucky if a few cranky people turn you off to that dubiously attractive deal:
It does take you a long time to sift through online reviews, trying to figure out who knows their ass from their elbow. This is especially true when you BUY a lemon, find you get NO support from the company, and are told, ha ha, to "check forums online, or YouTube" Yes, there you'll find unqualified know-it-alls, un-vetted jerks who give you advice that makes things worse, and maybe...some kindly soul who can help.
The Internet was supposed to make your life easier. Go online somewhere and find out why that hasn't happened. Check a forum. Try YouTube.
No comments:
Post a Comment