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Should Mom Bloggers Return Products?

I have heard from several PR folks that we're in a league of our own. Mom bloggers tend not to return high-priced products like electronics and jewelry, but newspaper reporters and magazines return merchandise all of the time.

Do you think mom bloggers should adopt a similar policy; that product samples worth over, say $150, should be returned to companies?

Interested to hear your thoughts.

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Permalink Reply by Parent Club on February 13, 2009 at 3:04pm

I've been asked to return electronics and also sign a "borrow" contract to review a bigger item. Personally, I think it's perferable to give it to the blogger or donate it for a giveaway - since they are getting use of our "buzz" and it IS a service - we deserve a bit of compensation!

I wondered - when I did return the products - what the companies would do with them - since I rec'd a NIB item (which I had to open) - and obviously they wouldn't send it out again as a reviewer.

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Permalink Reply by A Cowboy's Wife (Lori) on February 13, 2009 at 5:29pm

Absolutely not and I HATE when PR companies do that. I only know of one that does it for EVERYTHING. I agree that we need some sort of compensation for out time in creating buzz and the review.

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Permalink Reply by Mom Bloggers Club on February 13, 2009 at 5:35pm

That's right...because there is no such thing as free buzz and mom bloggers can generate a lot of it.

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Permalink Reply by Catherine on February 13, 2009 at 7:04pm

I haven't run into this problem but I would say that products should absolutely not be returned especially when the blogger is not being paid to do the review. Mom Bloggers do create a lot of buzz and get products and companies a lot of attention. Our time has to be worth something.

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Permalink Reply by tanyetta on February 13, 2009 at 9:18pm

Returned to the company? NO way. I wouldn't accept a product review if the company requested I return the product. Can you imagine Mercedes giving me a car for the week and asking me to give it back? LOL

I would be so spoiled, I would CRY if I had to give it back!

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Permalink Reply by forgetfulone on February 13, 2009 at 9:59pm

I haven't run into this, either, but I tend to review "smaller" products. I'd have to say "no" to the return policy. It's payment for advertising, after all. Perhaps if the review were going to be negative, you might return a product instead, but generally speaking... no.

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Permalink Reply by Anne-Marie Nichols on February 13, 2009 at 10:19pm

Newspaper and magazines are paid by their outlets, so it makes sense that they return merchandise. However, they get passes to see movies and attend events, and food writers get wine and food to sample. Those types of things can't be returned, of course. However, I do know that restaurant reviewers usually pay for the meals they eat, but I believe much of the time they're reimbursed by their publication. And no one gets to keep a car, of course.

I've talked to magazine writers who do keep tech products because some companies don't want them back, though some do. And I know of a local consumer advocate with a radio show who gets all kinds of free stuff, like loaner cars. Companies are given free rooms at hotels and resorts in hopes that they will book a big event or conference there.

Everyone gets freebies, and some stuff gets returned. Some bloggers refuse to take samples, and won't work with companies or publicists. It depends on what the writer or blogger is comfortable with and the policies of the PR firm or company. If you feel that a freebie is payment for your time and effort, then clearly state that upfront. Nothing wrong with it. Make your own policy and be flexible.

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer on February 14, 2009 at 1:11pm

I say no, in the beginning I did a few that I returned and it got to be too much keeping track of where everything was and when it needed to go back. I have since stopped doing so because the time it takes to write the review, crop and size photos and get it all together deserves some compensation. Besides most things never cost to make what they are selling it for ;)

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Permalink Reply by Bec Thomas on February 14, 2009 at 11:31pm

I've never been asked to review a product but I don't think you should have to return it since your taking time out of your life to pat the company on the back.

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Permalink Reply by kristen andrews on February 16, 2009 at 1:32pm

I don't think the reviewer should have to return the product.

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Permalink Reply by Lee of MWOB on February 16, 2009 at 6:12pm

I absolutely do not think we should return products. Even if they are higher priced items. I am currently reviewing a Casio keyboard valued at almost $200 but how could I return that? I have to use it, read the manual, utilize the music learning program to see how it all shakes down. So I can give an honest, thorough and personal review. What would the company do with my used keyboard? I think companies must realize this is the price they are paying. Now if I were getting monetary compensation for the product, that would be a different story. For now the product itself and increasing traffic flow to my site are the benefits.

I love these product review discussions because it's obviously a field that is busting wide open...