Reviews: Price as a factor

[jezter6]

Reviewers,

I'm just beginning to do more reviews, and before I get very far, I wanted to know how you all handled PRICE of the content vs page count/information contained in it, etc.

I know that Phil has pulled out of the review project by Crothian, but I'll use his products as an example of what I'm talking about. Assume you're writing a review of 13 xxx yyyy (ficticious name of course). This product sells for $2.50 (again, this is all made up). If you feel that 4 pages of material with only 13 of XXX is not worth the money, how do you deal with it in your review? I've personally got a big problem with it, but when I sit back and think about being an objective reviewer, I figure I should leave that out because it's an obvious bias of mine, and it means so little to some people that it probably shouldn't be mentioned (or if so, only very limited and should likely not start taking away stars).

Help give a new reviewer some insight in how to be a fair and honest reviewer who is trying to gain some respect in the reviews section.

Thanks...

 

[der_kluge]

I don't tend to consider money in my reviews. Unless the money factor plays an important role.

I think it boils down to value, and perceptions. I don't think it matters much on the low end of the scale. What is $2.50 among friends, anyway? If the book is garbage, people aren't going to buy it (or at least shouldn't) for $0.50 or $4.50.

In general, I think the review should be based on the merits of the product itself. Buying crap for only $1 is still buying crap, IMHO. Even if it was cheap.

OTOH, spending $40 for a mediocre book of suspect quality might warrant a discussion of the cost. $40 might get you great production values, but if the content isn't there, it's still a book of nice looking crap.

Lastly, it's a personal thing. For example, I recently reviewed EN Arsenal: Whips. It was a well done product, and would be a great addition to anyone who wanted to get more out of whips in their game. If you're not going to use whips, or don't care for all the crunchy bits that it had, then the product would be useless even if it were free. So, to some degree price is dictated by usefulness and personal value. Some people might be willing to pay more for some products over other people. So, to say something is "too expensive" is a bit subjective. "too expensive for whom?"


I guess what I'm trying to say is that I wouldn't spend too much time talking about price - write the review based on the product itself, unless the price just seems too far out of line with the value.

 

[DaveMage]

I agree it's about value.

I'll use an old product as an example:

Rings of Power by Fast Forward Games is 160 pages for $26.99. But, there are only 78 actual magic rings, which, when broken down to their game stats, only took up about 16 pages. Add in large print and to me, you have a very poor value.

It was basically a book, which, IMO, could have been a lot shorter, and the value wasn't anywhere near $27.

Price should match value.

Edit: Actual book pages and content corrected above.

 

[IronWolf]

I think price to value merits some mention and is certainly fair game for at least brief mention in a review. Price to value is mentioned in all sorts of reviews - cars, stereo equipment, homes, etc. I wouldn't dwell on it, but I think it merits being mentioned.

 

[Crothian]

I rarely mention price since it varies too much between people. So, unless the books is what I feel is way under or over priced I don't even mention it.

 

[HellHound]

In my opinion, a review REALLY should include your PERSONAL feelings about a product, otherwise it becomes a list of the contents.

If you feel that a class is not balanced, then say so.
If you feel that a monster idea REALLY kicks all kinds of butt, say so.
If you feel that the flavour text is insipid and poorly written, say so.
If you feel that the new mechanics presented are revolutionary and good, then say so.
If you feel that the product is overpriced for the content, say so.

This is all about your opinion of the product. Otherwise, as I said, it slips into being an anotated version of the product's table of contents.

That said, when you say that you love something or dislike something, say WHY. Explain why this is your opinion of the product, and that way, someone else reading it will decide for him or herself whether they are of a similar mindset to you.

 

[Mark CMG]

In my opinion, a review REALLY should include your PERSONAL feelings about a product, otherwise it becomes a list of the contents.

If you feel that a class is not balanced, then say so.
If you feel that a monster idea REALLY kicks all kinds of butt, say so.
If you feel that the flavour text is insipid and poorly written, say so.
If you feel that the new mechanics presented are revolutionary and good, then say so.
If you feel that the product is overpriced for the content, say so.

This is all about your opinion of the product. Otherwise, as I said, it slips into being an anotated version of the product's table of contents.

That said, when you say that you love something or dislike something, say WHY. Explain why this is your opinion of the product, and that way, someone else reading it will decide for him or herself whether they are of a similar mindset to you.

Yup. Also, it is important to bring your own area of expertise to the table and to the fore if you have one that is appropriate, i.e. if you breed horses and the review is about a sourcebook on horses. Furthermore, don't try to snow your readers if there is an area in which you don't have expertise by googling up a couple of websites, glancing over the contents, and trying to employ a handful of buzzwords to substitute for expertise. Just be honest, and if the best reason why you can give for liking or not liking something is because it reminds you of something you saw once in a movie, that's just fine.

 

[Arnwyn]

If you feel that 4 pages of material with only 13 of XXX is not worth the money, how do you deal with it in your review? I've personally got a big problem with it, but when I sit back and think about being an objective reviewer, I figure I should leave that out because it's an obvious bias of mine, and it means so little to some people that it probably shouldn't be mentioned (or if so, only very limited and should likely not start taking away stars).

You say it, and mention your bias.

I'm interested in the personal feelings of the reviewer. I'm not interested in the Table of Contents - I can get that from the publisher...

 

[Veander]

Reviewers who remove stars for drastic price hikes on products should keep in mind one thing. We don't all pay retail prices for every book we buy. IN fact, I RARELY pay retail what with Waldenbook's coupons (married with the Preferred Readers Card I have for a lifetime).

Judge the material and if you want to note any cost information, I know I appreciate the information, but rating a product because of its price is simple irresponsible IMO.