is this a scam, please?

JudgeDekker

I recently bought a little gadget on Amazon for £20. I then got an email from the seller saying that if I wrote a good review, they'd send me an Amazon gift card. It was a lovely little gadget, so I did. And they did send me an Amazon gift card, and I spent it, no problem.

Now the selling company has sent me another email saying that if I buy some earbuds and review them, they'll send me another gift card.

It feels like a scam. But I can't see how it can be - I'm only paying Amazon, I'm not sending any financial information to the selling company.

Am I making a mistake? Are they somehow using my Amazon order number to commit an evil crime, or is this just how companies get all those reviews? Any help much appreciated, thanks.

HampshireH

It's not a scam but it's a way for them to build up reviews and sell more items.

It shouldn't happen but it's prevalent.

If you don't need ear buds why would you buy them for a voucher it's false economy 

They are hoping you will spend more money with them for a small incentive. They win, you don't unless you wanted the product in the first place

400ixl

It is against Amazon rules for companies to preempt positive reviews and reward for them. It can get companies banned, but not sure if they take any action against the individual, but could in theory get your account banned.

born_again

Scam no.. Unless it's a rubbish item & you give a glowing review.

Underhand yes.

But done it myself. Would have left a review anyway, as it was a good product. They even offered to send another product to try later, but I declined as it was not something I would use.

user1977

Very common, as you can tell by looking at all the overly-effusive, detailed, positive initial reviews for many products - reviewers are obviously getting free products and/or additional bribes.

JudgeDekker

Thanks everyone

Vectis

user1977 said:

Very common, as you can tell by looking at all the overly-effusive, detailed, positive initial reviews for many products - reviewers are obviously getting free products and/or additional bribes.

And, that's why, when I'm looking to buy, I tend to read mostly the 3 star reviews as they usually prove to be more accurate than the gushing 5 stars ones.

PHK

Yes, this is underhand and part of the reason Amazon are being investigated by the CMA.

As a result, you can expect Amazon to come down hard on the buying of reviews. 

https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/online-reviews