Custom Processing Unlimite said:
He is my real-life proof that reviewers do have to return the unit they use.
Not always but often true. It depends on the value and reusability of the unit. 99% of all cases/accessories I've reviewed for gadgets have not needed to be returned, some of these are high value- approaching and often exceeding £100 at retail. If the item is a designer case, returning them is futile because the quality of the item is very highly dependant on its aesthetic appearance- a few journos getting their grubby paws on it will quickly compromise quality.
High value items such as computers, projectors, phones and such like are almost always returned. However, I've had samples in this category which, for one reason or another, didn't need to be. Various retailers and PRs will extend discounts to journalists on ex-review items, which is nice. Furthermore, in one specific example I actually had the opportunity to keep an item in return for proof of a charitable donation- there's a guilt-trip-a-thon for you!
The Pandora, of course, being in limited supply and being supplied by a company of a limited budget will always have to be returned. It's in these circumstances that I simply opt to buy the gadget- if, any only if, I know I'll miss it.
It's a very mixed world, a lot of people might think that keeping an item is morally wrong, and would be likely to create a positive bias toward it in a resulting review. This isn't true for anyone with at least an iota of integrity.
Anyway. The Pandora needs much more than just a one-off review- it needs community, articles written for and about the various games, patches, updates and other happenings. Unfortunately, "gifting" Pandora's to journalists doesn't guarantee such ongoing support.
TitanUranis - If you're even half decent and motivated at writing, I'm still looking for someone to make regular contributions to the very, very neglected Pandora section of Gadgetoid. This could extend to accessories in future, too.
Torpor - Number 1 couldn't be truer. Tech guys are the journos, and we want sexy women in their mid twenties and early thirties chatting us up about the products they represent... not other blokes!