One other thought,
Since I paid for it,the kit better be worth the price I paid.I feel better saying this part "X" was poorly molded,if the price of a kit is as high as a competitor's.Iff It were less expensive,that could be mentioned,giving an allowance for effort/research put into the tooling.

Hmmmmm,

I'm not sure what's going on, but I have had one review not solicited, yet published all over the frickin' place (Google Trackz M1 Sherman Dozer), and a couple for which I was sent kits (2 Eduard PE sets for the AFV Club M36) by Vinie. All of my reviews were quickly and thoroughly researched and completed, with no questions about my intentions or possible allegiance to any model company.

On the other hand, as Jim Rae admits, he has done more than 120 reviews ... not sure that is a good thing for anyone but him. And how many reviews does Vinnie have??

I did a good review turn-around right out the chute and have received nothing since. I suppose this is the way to reward fast, good, impartial reviewers?



I'm braced for flames or banishment. To hell with the fact that I was on this site in its infancy.

A lot has been said since I’ve started the threat. Some need to be explained or stated.
1. I know the way it goes i.e. how magazines handle publishing.
2. I wrote a couple of reviews for Armorama since I subscribed. No one was rejected and my person should be known to the staff in the meantime.
3. I tried to discuss the theme with Vinnie privately. I asked him how to get a review example of a special kit too.
The answers from Vinnie regarding unsolicited reviews led me to the decision to discus this officially. My question about a review kit was not answered.
4. Before I started any discussion I searched for an older threat covering this theme. But I could not find something.
5. Anyone, who works in public areas, must be aware of critics. He should be able to handle it; especially in a multilingual environment were a lot of users communicating via a foreign language. This should be in mind reading some statements. Much is not meant as it is written.

Publishing reviews in the forum section is no option to me compared to the very convenient review section. After some days, may be only one day, you will find it hard to search for it. Try the site’s search function if you don’t know what I mean.
My experience with modelling magazines in Germany is opposite. They are struggling against their image to be the voice of the manufacturer. Sales rates dropped. Now they try rebuilding their reputation. One way is to ask the modelling societies in Germany for editors. That’s how it goes in Germany!
Nevertheless, I think Vinnie hasn’t given a satisfying explanation why he doesn’t accept unsolicited reviews.
I got the impression that Vinnie acts as he wants without accepting others suggestions and opinions. It doesn’t matter if this is right or not. The impression counts. Vinnie, you try to sell a product to a customer. The customer is the user of your site. If the customer isn’t pleased with the result, he will turn to an other vendor. However, during the last half year many modellers passed away. That will not help Jim this site to be his full-time employment.
While I mostly use Armorama of HFM, I started thinking about to unsubscribe from A-Guard because of the changes to the site I don’t like.

Harald

I have no desire to get into the rights and wrongs of this topic, but I do feel that there are certain misconceptions here that need to be cleared up - and if I quote you here please don't take it personally or feel singled out...




I'm surprised nobody spoke up sooner. No. The Kitmaker Network is made up of the five main sites mentioned above and various associated language, topic specific and hosted sites. Armorama is Armorama. Historicus Forma is Historicus Forma. And so on and so on. Apart from infrastructure, sharing the odd bit of content, a handful of global policies and one or two admin quirks we are largely independent and have very little to do with each other (from a management point of view). Has been this way for 6 months now.




As Vinnie said, all Kitmaker sites bar Armorama accept unsolicited reviews. If, and that's a big if, HF changes that policy it will be announced on HF. I'm sure that applies to all the Kitmaker sites.


Once again, not trying to single anyone out here, just trying to clear up some misconceptions.

Rudi

Perhaps taking the time to write and submit some features, may help getting over the "/reviews blues" if you would like to contribute to the site's content.
Just a suggestion.

Greetings all,

I've been following this thread with interest. I'd agree, I'd like to see more reviews from members and I've said so before.

I've submitted 5 reviews (on books/CDs), all of which were returned to site within 24 to 48 hours.

Some of the books were on modern armour so I passed them on to folks from the site who I know have greater interest in that genre than me.

My last review was in September 2006 but since the 'Great Figure' debate where a couple of people got their fingers burnt and made themselves look very foolish I've apparently fallen out of favour :-) :-) .

I've submitted 3 major model features, had three more lost in the system, most annoying, and have 4 in the system at the moment.

I've submitted numerous pictures good and bad of the projects I involved in, yet following recent comments I'm now seen as some kind of black hearted insurgent who's come to steel you daughters, so lock em up tight
:-) :-) :-) .

There were a couple of reviews I read not so long ago that left me scratching my head. One was the M2 Half Track and the other was on Hornet British Heads. Vinnie did both and I thought why? Both were technically proficient , Vinnie did the kit review and then went on to do the build article on the M2, but I would have prefered to see someone with a real interest in Alllied subjects do them instead, and I don't mean me.

The whole thing seems pretty odd to me, especially if Armorama is the only part of the network this is happening on!

Cheers and happy modelling.

Al