Do you think it is fair for a vendor to ask for a favor to write a review about his/her product? Well the CEO of ScottEvest apparently does! In one of his comments on my blog he openly states, “Jack did that as a favor to me, and should not be criticized for doing it!” I don’t know about you but to ask an editor to write a review about your product and in return you get to keep it is just plain WRONG. Being a consumer don’t you think you should know if there is some alternate motive on positive reviews? Heck, I know this is the main reason why I will NEVER review another ScottEVest product on Mobility Today. It is misleading and unfair to the consumer. Speaking of unfair I looked back at Jack’s last review before I broke ties with him and as you can see “BETH” one of Jacks fake usernames commented on the Milan review.
QuoteÂ
“This was an excellent review of a technology enabled jacket Jack! casteve, it part of the whole package; devices and accesories to make your life easier. I am glad the reviews expand into the peripheral areas! guys, keep it up after reading this review I am buying defnitely one!”
Posted by Beth, Wednesday, Nov. 2nd, 2005
So Scott now tell me how this is not misleading?
Jackets for reviews is not the way to do business it is
unfair to your potential customers.
Well the time has come to start my personal blog. Wikipedia defines the word blog, a place to provide commentary or news on a particular subject, such as food, politics, or local news; some function as more personal online diaries. For me this will be a place where I share my experiences with all of you on what is involved behind the scenes of running my website 
I understand how the SCOTTEVEST / Jack Cook reviewing situation is a conflict of interest, but I think the context of how this question was asked is a bit confusing.
I have no problem with any company contacting you, me, whoever and asking for a review of a product to be written (favor to them or not). All reviews are basically free advertising to any company, so technically they could all be considered favors. We save them advertising dollars and they get their name out there to the target market. I have no problem if they want me to return or keep the product when I’m done with the review. I mean seriously, this is what we do. We find something interesting and ask for a review sample, or that something interesting finds us. BUT with that said I think it’s only fair for the company and the reader to expect an HONEST and UNBIASED review of the product.
In Jack’s case with SCOTTEVEST the only person who knows if the reviews were unbiased is Jack and Scott. Should the association with SCOTTEVEST have been disclosed within the review, I think so. No matter how well it may have been known by you, Scott or Jack if someone happens along the review and doesn’t know of the affliation they should be told.