First of all, thank you for your suggestion! It's always great if we can expand the Epinions product and topic spread. All that I ask is that if you make a suggestion, you promise to write a review to fill the space! It also really helps if at the bare minimum, you give me a link to a website for your suggestion. I can't add it without one, and hunting through Google sure slows up the process (not good on those days when I have a list of 10 new adds to work through!)
I can add about 95% of the things I receive requests for. The main topic areas I receive requests for but can't add, are things like busses and trains and shopping malls. If you are unsure whether I can add your category then feel free to ask before you start writing your review. There's nothing more frustrating than writing a review and not being able to find a home for it :o(
Sometimes in luggage and travel accessories, we have to ask Epinions to add a new product line to their data set before we can set up your suggestion. This means a delay of between a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on how busy those good folk at epinions are. If I need to delay setting up your category, I'll drop you an e-mail.
I aim to add requests within 3-4 days, but I am on vacation a few times a year. On vacation, Epinions plays no part in my life. If I am going to be away for more than a night or two, I'll try to remember to leave a note on my short biography. You will be able to check why I haven't been able to get back to you. I'm in no way offended if you want to e-mail me after 3-4 days to see whether I have received your original request.
About me!
Hi I'm Chris.
I'm not sure whether to be pleased to have stuck it out at Epinions for so long or whether I should be shamed at the very visible pursuit of this pointless hobby.
Yey! I'm free of the curse of the alerts. Let me explain... when I first arrived at Epinions, I really felt I should try to read everything by everyone who rated me, who I trusted etc. Frankly, it got a little boring!
Now I read and rate what I like - believe me, if I have read your review, its because I want to. I might not get quite so many hits on my own reviews these days, but I'm enjoying hanging at Eeps again.
I trawl my WOT from time to time - if you haven't posted in twelve months then I might remove you. I keep you on my notification list, so if you become active again at Epinions then I'll put you back.
My Reviews
So, what do I do at Epinions? - my usual topics are travel, books, music and perfume.
I started here with TRAVEL reviews, as I wanted an excuse to write down and record my experiences. The fact that someone else may read and find my review useful is one big bonus.
As a result my reviews do tend to be full and detailed - I sometimes don't know just when to stop. Lately I've taken to write reviews just about just one thing I've seen, rather than a long list of attractions. It just seems to work better for me.
With BOOKS, I think I can string along a reasonable review. I pride myself in trying to review books that have yet to be be reviewed by anyone else. Not too tricky given the books I tend to read. If a review has already been written, I check to see if I can add a different slant, before I trouble to write it.
MUSIC is my weakest area, but I love music so much, I just can't stop myself from writing reviews. Again I try to avoid those areas where there is already a choice of 60 reviews.
I am still getting a style for my music reviews, eight years on! I wish I could get down on paper how I feel about the music I hear. I guess it will just never happen.
My most recent addition has been to write on men's fragrances. I really enjoy analysing the smells, and researching details on the maker. They also attract a lot of hits - half a dozen reviews makes for a Top 200 writer in beauty apparently.
Some Stats
If a few get something from my reviews then I'm happy.
Top Events
I know some may disagree with some of the events on my list as being a "top event" but, hey this is my space!:
Top Reviewer: Oct 2002 - Nov 2004 - Travel
Advisor: Jan 2003 - Nov 2004 - Travel
Moderator: Sept 2004 - Sept 2006 - Travel board. I'm delighted that the board is in the safe hands of Michelle and Julie.
Category Lead: Nov 2004 - Present - Travel
It just goes to show that Epinions can hold a few surprises even for old timers like me. In January 07 I picked up my first non travel hat - a Top Reviewer in books. Gotta do some work now to hang onto it!
# 7 Top Earning review: Dec 2002 - Beauty
# 4 Top Earning review: Jan 2003 - Beauty
# 7 Top Earning review: Oct 2006 - Books
# 7 Top Earning review: Sept 2007 - Books
So, how did my first 400 reviews break down?
Hotels and Travel 175 (44%)
Books 92 (23%)
Music 60 (15%)
Home 21 (5%)
Beauty 16 (4%)
Restaurants & Gourmet (12)
I've also written in Computer Hardware (3), Electronics (4), Home and Garden (1), Kids and Family (1), Movies (7), Online (5), Sports and Outdoors (2), Pets (1).
And finally, a little about me....
My partner & I have three cats Dandy, Ultimo and Morris
I enjoy reading, learning, current affairs, cooking, eating, drinking, music, travel, walking and art (not necessarily in that order).
The Dante's Inferno Test has banished you to the Seventh Level of Hell! Here is how you matched up against all the levels:
'Tis a great mystery, but somehow you have come to belong in Jane Eyre; a random world of love, kindness, madness, bad luck and lunatic ex-wives. There really isn't much to say about the place you belong in. It's your place, and though it seems far from reality largly due to how random the events are, you seem to enjoy it. You belong in a world where not too many people understand you, and where you can be somewhat of a recluse. Take this quiz!
INTP - "Architect". Greatest precision in thought and language. Can readily discern contradictions and inconsistencies. The world exists primarily to be understood. 3.3% of total population.
What Mythological Creature Are You (Many Results and Beautiful Pics)
Harpy: Harpies are beautiful creatures with wings that are said to have terrorized sailors. You are slightly arrogant and vain but you probably deserve to be. You are confident in your abilities and know what you want to achieve in life. Similar to vampires you will use almost any means to get what you want. You have some friends but you only hang around with people who think like you do. Take this quiz!
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