Comments on: Who can you trust?

By: Moosis

Moosis — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:26:35 +0000

All are judged by the result of their reactions and in a free market each one can make that he believes. Those who are powerful, from character or money, they will resist, those who are not, they will “go with the river”.

This sounds serious and for me who I have a nice blog for the last years, I will serious considered. Here in Greece we do not have these problems, with exceptions of concrete employees, but sure when the coffee takes the place that it deserves will have them here as well.

Keep brewing everyone!

Like or Dislike: 0 0

By: Andy

Andy — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:56:49 +0000

It doesn’t really matter, one way or the other to review or not to review, as the noise of the world is already at a deafening roar. Not really any significant fault of your own, but I assume anything public domain is heavily biased.

The only person I can trust is myself – my own opinion. The trouble is finding out if my opinion is truthfully my own.

Like or Dislike: 0 0

By: Hugo

Hugo — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:31:36 +0000

I had an interesting offer from a major tea brand launching a new coffee range, they wanted controlled advertorial stuff. In discussions I said I’d have to refuse to comment on the quality of the coffee for reasons I saw as fairly obvious, but I was more than happy to discuss/promote good coffee preparation… effectively do a technique article, ‘cos that’s what I’m the expert at (allegedly).
No big surprise, the tea makers went with a famous and familiar wine buff who’d say anything for a buck… I probably offered my complicity at too high a price

Like or Dislike: 0 0

By: Mike White

Mike White — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:21:12 +0000

Whether or not you choose to accept gifts, it’s now required by law to disclose it if you do (over here anyway…)

http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/02/ftc-to-bloggers-you-better-watch-out/

Like or Dislike: 0 0

By: rob berghmans

rob berghmans — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:19:03 +0000

Douwe Egberts!!!!????
I’m willing to pay you £ 50 for NOT writing about it.

Myself, I refuse all publicity and reviews on command. (also inspired by you)

Like or Dislike: 0 0

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:39:33 +0000

What do you think about obvious blog advertising such as Adsense by Google Ads? I’m running my coffee blog with small coffee-related advertisements under the posts, clearly marked as such. I get paid by visitors’ clicks, etc. I find the advertisements relatively helpful at times- not a complete waste. Am I souring followers by their presence? I realize my blog is small-time, but I’d rather close advertisements altogether than offend the few followers I do have.

Like or Dislike: 0 0

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:15:56 +0000

Ever since the WBC in Atlanta, i’ve been receiving junk emails from companies with packing solutions and syrup solutions.

I don’t remember ticking the box saying i’d like to receive emails from ‘associated companies’.

Annoying.

Like or Dislike: 0 0

By: Anne

Anne — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:16:18 +0000

This is a challenge Neil & I come up against all the time at TampTamp. Since we’re consultants and we’re paid to give advice, we try to research and find the best possible products and services to supply our clients. Probably at least once a day we think about how nice it would be to get a commission or something for selling things that our clients wouldn’t otherwise know about.

Ultimately we always come around to staying as non-sponsored/bribed/etc. as possible because it leaves a weird feeling in our guts. We’d rather be 100% sure that we’re recommending things because they are things we actually buy, rather than question if we’re doing it because someone gave it to us, gave us a commission, etc. As we grow we will surely face this challenge over and over, but hopefully our integrity will keep us around for the long run.

Sometimes I wonder if it’s even worth it to be so principled though – in other industries there are commissions and kickbacks that seem to work out just fine. I lived with a banker who thought Neil & I were completely insane for not working out commissions. I still haven’t figured out a way to balance it morally though, so I’d be curious to see where this thread goes.

Like or Dislike: 0 0

By: David Walsh

David Walsh — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:02:51 +0000

I don’t get offered much stuff free gratis. When I do, the most I promise in return is feedback.

I did get asked by a UK based “roaster”, let’s call them Roderick’s Really Great Coffees, to publish some of their articles/guides on my blog. While the Chocolate-Rasberry flavoured coffee they offered in exchange was tempting, I declined.

But you do see it. People trying to be honest, or at least trying to be perceived as honest , while excusing or softballing problems with products they’ve been sent free gratis. If they bite the hand that feeds them, it may be the last lunch they get.

Like or Dislike: 0 0

By: tonx

tonx — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:37:45 +0000

for the record, I am available to be whisked off, whirl-winded, wined, and/or dined (but it wont necessarily buy my endorsements). Please forward all offers of airline tickets, hotel accommodations, lavish dinners and per diems to my gmail. kthxbye.

Like or Dislike: 0 0