Hey Pedro!

Product reviews are when a person or organization shares their experiences with the quality of goods or services.

For example, I once purchased an app for my computer. After I downloaded and started it up, it froze on me! I tried several times, but it never worked. I contacted customer service, and they explained that the program was made for an older version of the operating system and wouldn’t be updated soon. I couldn’t get my money back, so I wrote a review about my experience. Reviews help us share with others and also learn from their experiences.

Where Do We Find Reviews?

Product reviews are everywhere! Anytime you shop online, you’ll likely see review scores next to an item. These scores are usually calculated by averaging customer ratings. How do companies get those ratings? By asking customers to share their experiences after they’ve purchased and used the product.

Things to Keep in Mind

Commercials are designed to sell us products, making them seem life-changing. But at the end of the day, things are still just things, and before long, we may want something new or better. That’s why, when we do decide to make a purchase, it’s smart to do some research first.

Think about it—what would you be most likely to write a review for? Something you loved, something you hated, or something you thought was just okay? Usually, people write reviews when they have strong feelings, either positive or negative. That’s why it’s important to check several different sources before making a decision.

Where Should I Check?

Here are a few helpful places:

• Shopping sites: Amazon, eBay, or wherever you’re buying from.

• YouTube: Many creators walk through product details and show how it works.

• Word of mouth: Talk to people you know who have bought the product or used the service.

• Hands-on: If possible, look at the product yourself and check the quality.

How I Use Reviews

When I shop—whether in person or online—I like to compare prices first. If I see something in a store, I’ll also check if it’s available online. Then, I’ll look at the average rating. If a product has thousands of positive reviews, I can feel confident it makes most customers happy. But if many reviews share negative experiences, I’ll be more cautious.

If the product is only available online, I’ll often watch several YouTube reviews to see it in action. Sometimes I even add the product to my cart and wait a few days before deciding. How do you and your family look at reviews?

Things to Check Out

Here are some helpful resources to learn more about product reviews:

• Learn how the FTC is working to stop fake reviews.

Thanks for writing!

Sincerely,
Blake from GreatCents