Experience Level of poster in posts and product reviews ?

Buckskincolt

Buckskincolt

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Hi all,

I'm going to keep this simple.

In a recent thread by a member who considers himself a newbie he stated he was a "newbie" in a product review.

This response was posted to his product review (not going to say by whom)

"Great review. Stop calling yourself a newbie, it ruins the validity of the review."

My Question to the forum is this.

Do you think a review has less validity because the poster states his experience level? Or do you think it adds to the post because if offers more info about the posters abilities?

I DO NOT want to start any flaming here. As a "newbie" I would like to know what you all think, I know I looked for reviews from new people to see what a new guy (or gal) could do with any single product. I like talking to fellow noobs so we both know our capabilities. I also make sure I post I'm a noob whenever I'm giving any sort of help or opinion.

I also think it's great to get reviews from pro's so we can see what we are supposed to be able to accomplish.

It's a simple question...Should we give our experience level when we post product reviews or?:dunno:

Thanks ~~ Yale
 
Good question...

One benefit to stating that you're new to this craft is if you make a mistake, chances are probably better the forum members will understand you're still learning and instead of criticizing any mistakes will go positive and point out where they think you could improve.

There's a fairly wide line between providing feed back to someone new to detailing in an effort to help them improve themselves and their technique simply pointing out their mistakes in a public way that makes them never want to share their work again.

Luckily the forum members that make up the Autogeek Online community trend towards positive support with thoughtful and helpful contributions.


:)
 
I read all posts and give them the same weight. Some here have years doing this,some weeks. Some people learn faster than others and can do things others cant. I try not to judge anyone. YMMV.
 
I think its nice for some background info, due to the more experience might be willing to jump in and say... "Hey you did great but next time try priming your pad first, it will make it easier for you" Along those lines....
We are all here to learn and there is a large group here to help, would be a waste not to learn from each other. So yes its nice to state it but not neccessary by any means. As for reviews I love when newbies do them, if they use them and get great results it lets me know the product is user friendly. So many people get caught up in the theory that you have to be a pro to polish out your car. But with a little guidence there is no reason for anyone not to be able to maintain a show room finish on their vehicles.... all forum members contribute, whether new or pro's!
 
I feel like a newbie everyday. Since I try and learn something new everyday
 
In the reviews section - I look at it as everyone is equal.

However, in the show and shine, it is different.
I like to take what people do there, and with what methods to get results, and say "OK, product X is capable of this result."
This gives me a good idea as to what to expect out of a product, and/or what can be expected out of a product.

An example would be - a newb and a pro both give a review of M105. Both say it is an excellent product, but the newb thinks it dusts too much.
Then the same said posters give a show and shine and you see the results vary, and you also see the method of the pro was different. That is a more accurate review to me of a product than ones opinion.

Hope that makes sense and wasn't just rambling.

DLB
 
Being one of those "newbie's" myself I feel more comfortable letting people know this if I have an opinion on a product.


I have learned alot here and have tried many products in the pursuit of finding my own favorites, etc. so I am kind of like a kid in a candy store and my excitement with trying all these new things can get waaaaaaaaaaaay ahead of my experience.
 
I like to read what everyone has to say, newbies or not.....Obviously the pro's input is valuable, but I also like to read "in my experience" as I'm not a professional detailer but hold my own I guess and am happy with the results.....

I usually start with "in my experience blah blah blah"
 
I think stating your experience level is a good thing, even though it may seem redundant after a while (at least to those of us who read nearly every post, every day). But there are many people who may just be browsing for the first time or looking for one quick answer. As was said already it can help show how user friendly (or not) a product is. I think there is more benefit than drawback from "I'm a noob" or "In my limited experience" posts. It is very encouraging for a newbie to see great results from a newbie.

Great question by the way, I hadn't really thought about it consciously until you brought it up.:xyxthumbs:
 
I often have to refer products to different users, some professionals and other are weekend detailers. I appreciate reviews that candidly review where the detailer feels his/her skills are currently, because it often shows others just what can be done using those products and techniques as offered in review. Certainly a basis or one of many facts to consider ...
 
The way I look at it is if you are reviewing a product. It's probable new to you. So in a sense we're all newbies at least to the product.
Just my opinion as a newbie.
 
99tl said:
The way I look at it is if you are reviewing a product. It's probable new to you. So in a sense we're all newbies at least to the product.
Just my opinion as a newbie.
Click to expand...
:iagree:
 
to you guys, both here, autopia etc-I consider myself a newbie. To my neighbors? I'm a freak with my 2 buckets, leaf blower and 48" X 80" shelf dedicated to product.
 
dublifecrisis said:
to you guys, both here, autopia etc-I consider myself a newbie. To my neighbors? I'm a freak with my 2 buckets, leaf blower and 48" X 80" shelf dedicated to product.
Click to expand...
Hum, This Describes me too!:detailer:
 
If a person states they are somewhat new to detailing and in there review they state that:

  • It’s the best product they have used to date = I take it with a grain of salt due to little exposure experience to a myriad of products
  • It was very easy to use and they got great results, I find this very valuable since I also sell products to my customers and they are not seasoned. If a self proclaimed “noob” had success so can the avg joe.

I do not think that being a “noob” is a bad thing at all and is in no way a negative attribute. Often times a “fresh eyes” perspective is VERY valuable!
 
I feel it only fitting that I post to this thread as it was from the review that I did on FK215 that elicited the reply about nubes that inspired this question.
To start with I feel that the very act of reviewing something often tends to subconsciously cast the reviewer in a superior light. After all, what is a review if not in fact an evaluation? We have all been subjected to evaluation throughout our lives and for the most part the evaluations (reviews) have almost always been performed by those in a superior position to ourselves. We have all been formally evaluated (reviewed) by our teachers in school in the form of our report cards. With this stated it is understandable how the person giving a review can often be perceived in such a way. Therefor I felt it only fair to those that will be reading the review that I disclose my level of inexperience (nube) thus dispelling any falsely preconceived assumptions of my level of credibility. My review of FK 215 was intended as nothing more than an honest assessment of a product and my opinions about my experience with that product as seen through the eyes of a nube....nothing more.
I am sorry that, for one person, my disclosure of being a nube took away from the "validity of the review". Perhaps the forum can institute a policy whereby all reviews can be color coded according to the level of experience of the writer of the review. This way no one would have to waste their time reading invalid reviews. It can go something like this:
A review written by a pro will remain in black type
A review written by a nube can be typed in lets say blue
A review written by a wannaby can be typed in red to symbolize caution
to the reader


Thank you

Unclestu the nube and proud of it!
 
I'm dang near 48 so I'm no newbie to washing and waxing. My post count indicates less experience ... and for sure, I'm a newbie when it comes to all the info and product here on the forum. Forums are filled with opinions, take ALL of them and decide for yourself which ones you want to follow. NEVER read the opinion of one, and call it gospel.

That being said, a member with 50 posts will get my interest if he's intelligent and concise with his review. A member with 1000 posts may have the personality of a turd and can't convince me of anything. So read 'um all! But in the end, AG mod's rule!
 
unclestu said:
I feel it only fitting that I post to this thread as it was from the review that I did on FK215 that elicited the reply about nubes that inspired this question.
To start with I feel that the very act of reviewing something often tends to subconsciously cast the reviewer in a superior light. After all, what is a review if not in fact an evaluation? We have all been subjected to evaluation throughout our lives and for the most part the evaluations (reviews) have almost always been performed by those in a superior position to ourselves. We have all been formally evaluated (reviewed) by our teachers in school in the form of our report cards. With this stated it is understandable how the person giving a review can often be perceived in such a way. Therefor I felt it only fair to those that will be reading the review that I disclose my level of inexperience (nube) thus dispelling any falsely preconceived assumptions of my level of credibility. My review of FK 215 was intended as nothing more than an honest assessment of a product and my opinions about my experience with that product as seen through the eyes of a nube....nothing more.
I am sorry that, for one person, my disclosure of being a nube took away from the "validity of the review". Perhaps the forum can institute a policy whereby all reviews can be color coded according to the level of experience of the writer of the review. This way no one would have to waste their time reading invalid reviews. It can go something like this:
A review written by a pro will remain in black type
A review written by a nube can be typed in lets say blue
A review written by a wannaby can be typed in red to symbolize caution
to the reader


Thank you

Unclestu the nube and proud of it!
Click to expand...

Well said! We need a nube, newbie, noob, only thread that the "Pros" are not allowed to post in. LOL! :joking:

By the way that was an awesome review of the FK 215 thanks for your efforts!:bowdown:
 
Buckskincolt said:
Well said! We need a nube, newbie, noob, only thread that the "Pros" are not allowed to post in. LOL! :joking:

By the way that was an awesome review of the FK 215 thanks for your efforts!:bowdown:
Click to expand...

Thanks for your kind words. I am sorry that the sarcasm in my response to your thread escaped you but than again it wasn't directed at you.
I want to go on the record in stating that I do not advocate the formation of a nube land on the AG forum. Being a nube is nice but nube-ism is like childhood as we can't remain children forever neither can we remain nubes forever. I feel that a segregated nube only land will have the same effect as inbreeding in that all of the nubes will die off. No Peter Pan we can't remain nubes forever. Isn't that right Tinkerbell.
A nube only section on the forum would have no validity. Now if you said a wannabe land that might be interesting
 
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