When's the last time you read a bad product review on a blog?

RT @simplespirit: When's the last time you read a bad product review on a blog?

@simplespirit I posted quasi-negative review of Jetboil Helios on SectionHiker. Inefficient, complicated, hard to clean http://ow.ly/85i3c

@barefootdawsy @simplespirit You can have my last BPL disposable UL pillow - that thing was a piece of crap! How's that?

@simplespirit Above 12,000ft it was useless for more than a few hours, although @JasonKlass had better luck with his. Def iffy QA

@simplespirit I wonder how many bloggers don't bother to publish the reviews of products they know they don't like? I'm guilty of this.

@bfgreen Good question. I was going to just say sites in general but you can find plenty on dedicated review sites.

@bfgreen @simplespirit but generally is there actually bad outdoor gear? I don't think companies would send gear out if they weren't sure?

@tookiebunten @simplespirit THAT'S my point. If I get a piece of gear, I know right away if it's worth reviewing.. if not, why bother?

@tookiebunten @bfgreen They do. BPL just recently published a bad review on some trekking poles.

@bfgreen @simplespirit I'm inexperienced in this. Have done one review & another in the pipe. Both bits of kit are of really quality...

@bfgreen @simplespirit I worry about that. All I think I can do is be honest in how the kit worked for me. It will be different for others

@crazyrunnerguy Negative works. Seems like *almost* no one publishes a bad/negative review.

@crazyrunnerguy Guess I missed that. :-)

@bfgreen @simplespirit it depends on the company...is it an upstart that I might hurt? Then I won't publish...but if they can take it...well

@MyLifeOutdoors @bfgreen If it is an upstart, would you not be hurting them more by allowing them to take a faulty product to market?

@simplespirit @MyLifeOutdoors Possibly, but I would contact them directly to suggest changes/options rather than public shaming.

@bfgreen @simplespirit @mylifeoutdoors maybe in that case it would be better to send the post to the start up & let them make corrections?

@tookiebunten @bfgreen @mylifeoutdoors But is your primary obligation to the mfr or your readers?

@simplespirit @bfgreen @mylifeoutdoors good question, as you could be seen to show favouritism. A cottage manufacturer may listen?

@tookiebunten @simplespirit Chris raises a great point though. Are we inadvertently doing our readers a disservice?

@simplespirit Chris this is a REALLY good topic. When is (whatever) appropriate? What's the protocol? @MyLifeOutdoors @tookiebunten

@simplespirit @tookiebunten @MyLifeOutdoors Chris should write this as a blog post. See what his readers say. I'll offer a guest post spot..

@mylifeoutdoors @simplespirit @tookiebunten If no one else wants to write this up I'll do it. Ball's in your court Chris.

@bfgreen @MyLifeOutdoors @tookiebunten I'll get something penned soon. Presently without power. :-)