Anthropologie sent me an email inviting me to review the items from a recent order. I’d already reviewed the items, both here on the blog and on the Anthropologie site. After initially being wary of the idea I’ve fully embraced the reviews to become something of a review whore. It’s a natural extension of the blog to me even though I never reference the blog directly on the Anthro site.
I also have a few other reviewers bookmarked. I know AL, Jacquelyn from Musings by Jacquelyn and Shannon from Wardrobe Review all do reviews. I have also watched with some interest as two contributors, troJane and Styleicon take turns as the Number One Contributor. There doesn’t seem to be Top 5 threshold but there is a Top 10, Top 25, Top 50, Top 100, Top 500 and even Top 1,000 threshold. So at least 1,000 people have submitted at least one review.
The reviews run the gamut from incredibly useful to to pointless. I’m not a fan of the “helpful votes” mechanism. It doesn’t promote reviews or really seem to serve any purpose. Peeps seem into it though. Items usually have at least one review within a day or two of appearing on the site. Nice for Anthro — they save a ton of money by crowd sourcing.
And since they’re saving all that money…I’m not gonna lie; I hope there’s some kind of incentive for being a top reviewer. Free People, Anthro’s sister brand, did an email series on their top reviewers. But I’m thinking more like gift card. Gift. Card. Please.
Do you review? Are the site reviews helpful to you?
Thanks for the shout-oput, Roxy! I am a bit of a review addict myself. I am waiting for a few things to make it to the site so I can do a review. I love the reviews. I wish we could go back and edit them, though. For example, I would like to add to my review of the Wind Rippled Tee now that I have tried on the red (which is a different fabric and drape, IMO) and washed the black. It's amazing to me how fast reviews do pop up once an item is added to the site. Anthro sure does have some loyal people. I also really appreciate the reviews and always try to review items I have tried, because I am on the larger side of the size spectrum and find it very helpful when people who say they are built like me review an item.
I always, always look at reviews when I'm buying a product. They have a lot of influence on my decisions, and I'm grateful to the people who do the reviews. I usually don't write reviews myself, but I probably should.
i haven't written reviews, but i think i will start (i have a few purchases heading my way in the next few days!) i agree i LOVE reading them. they have prevented me from ordering things i surely would have returned!
I really appreciate all reviews. Reviews here at your blog and Jacquelyn's not only help with fit and quality,but also bring many items to my attention. I haven't been much of a shopper lately, so I would miss all these great clothes if t weren't for you all. (I bought the Wind Rippled Tee and the Kangaroo Pocket Cowl Neck.) Jacquelyn also does shoe reviews. Love that, especially since my favorite shoe store closed and now I buy more online. I am not much of a reviewer. But, I seek out reviews on almost everything I buy. So thank you reviewers. I appreciate all the effort you put into your reviews!
i review when i can…just bc i like to put my opinion on things when it's not needed 😛 lolbut also bc sometimes things size up pretty weird in athro land and i like to give a tip/warning out to those who are interested in buying that certain item…one thing i've noticed is i tend to buy stuff more now when there are more reviews on a thing! which kinda sucks bc A)i buy/spend more and B)you sorta know that a lot of people are buying it and it's not as unique/special as you had hope.
I love the reviews, especially those that mention fit & which size the person got, plus their stats. It really helps when picking out the right size when someone else with similar measurements (as me) has done a review on it already.I also appreciate when people note the quality of fabric (itchy/non-itchy, soft, heavy, thin, breathable, etc.) since sometimes items aren't available in-store to check out IRL.BTW, there's also a "Top 250 Contributor" category – the only reason I know is b/c I'm one of them. Since sizing varies I do try to list my measurements & point out which size I got, in the hopes that it will help out someone of similar build. Like others, the reviews really influence my decision to buy.
I love the reviews but am very lazy about posted them myself lol. By the time I am done reviewing on my blog, I am usually all computered out. I am going to try and update though because I have tried on a lot of stuff recently!I WISH Jcrew would add reviews!
I review! I think its so helpful to hear feedback on the item before buying. I like hearing the quality, how its fits, etc. I agree, some reviews that people do are completely pointless, but I think overall they help a lot. I'm a top 50 reviewer!
I love the Anthro reviews and always review anything I buy there.It was actually your review on the Guimard Dress that convinced me to buy it finally..so thanks!Jennyhen
i order from anthropologie.com at least once a week, and they never ask for my input. of course, i also don't get requested emails or catalogs. i, too, wish you could edit reviews, b/c i gave something a bad review and then learned to love it. i noticed 6 people found the bad review helpful, and that made me very sad.
I review whenever I remember! I do it under my "anthroholic" blog name, but a lot of times I just forget, because I do them on my blog out of habit!
I did get annoyed when anthro sent me 3-4 emails in one week asking me to review the same few items. One email request is more than enough! I do think they're helpful though, just don't like the anthro spam about it.
I love the review section. It gives you a good idea on the fit and sizing. There's a good side and a bad side to the reviews. The good side is that it makes me look at items that I might not normally consider, thus spending more money. The downside, is that if an item gets too many bad reviews, I tend not to even try it on eventhough it might look good on me.I do write reviews, however, if there are too many reviews for an item, I won't do it. I try to do a review if I can add something new to the item. I'm with Jacqueline, I wished Anthro would let us go back and edit our past reviews.
I do review most things I buy from Anthropologie from the website or that I try on in the store. I try to be very helpful in describing the product, how it fits and feels, if the color is true or off, etc etc. I am very glad Anthro started with the reviews since I have definitely saved myself money and returning hassles by getting to read what other people thought about the product in regards to sizing especially and quality. I also like to help others with their decisions 🙂 I usually don't make my decisions off one or two reviews, but rather what the general trend is. If 10 out of 12 people recommend to size down for a certain product, i will likely do the same. A helpful review is always awesome!! However I absolutely hate when people review a product just by saying "great dress!" or "absolutely horrible!" Inquiring minds want to know why you thought that! And I also wish we could edit the reviews as well 🙁
Editing reviews would be a great feature…I also have a few things I'd like to revise or add. Lacey – congrats on your Top 50 status!Maria – clearly Anthro really really wants you to review. 😉
I'll echo the sentiment about real people reviews–they are so darn helpful! The thoughtful ones, anywho. Here's hoping Anthro will follow Free People's suit and do reviewer profiles, and maybe send a gift card (or two!) your way. 🙂
love the "review section", however, I prefer your blog. You show the actual garment on – I find seeing a top, skirt, dress "on" a person very, very helpful. Also,descriptions like "material is thin", "itchy", etc., etc.,
I review, not always, but if I really like something, or feel there is something that could be helpful. But I agree with all who wish you could go back and edit – recently I've been guilty of a couple of – in retrospect – fairly useless (!!) 'great dress' type reviews, where I forgot to add info re fit, quality etc, as I was so excited about how much I liked it that I didn't do a useful review. I'd go back and edit it to be more helpful, but now I can't….
I am kind of addicted to reading and doing the reviews, and really wish every online store would provide that feature (cough, JC, cough, cough.) I went to town all summer during the free shipping and am one of the top ten, since I review almost anything I bought or tried on. I get those reminder emails, too, which is funny! I really hope there is some little gift coming our way, I'd be happy with a continuation of the free shipping for people who are compulsive reviewers or bloggers, especially since the closest B&M is an hour away from me.
Generally, I find the reviews to be immensely helpful; they have really saved me from making some blunders. Occasionally my experience has differed from those of the reviews, so I don't always buy into them wholesale. I make sure to do a review myself whenever I feel strongly about an item, pro or minus. If I feel really 'meh' or indifferent about an item, I usually don't bother to review it.