How NOT To Get Stuff Reviewed
I have an interest in tough phones and rugged cases like the Griffin Survivor. I also work for two fishing magazines now, one mostly coarse and one just marine, for whom I will be checking out hardcore tech and audio as part of whole boat reviews. Did you SEE the JL Audio marine kit in the CES video and the Miami video on my Presenterbloke channel on YouTube, about their water-borne audio stuff? And as I go to technology shows, I see stuff. The tough telephone outfit I met at Gadget Show Live, eventually, over time, chose to follow up and ask about my reviewing a telephone. One fit for firemen and builders as well as us lot, C’mon, how many of you are walking about with cracked screens to your tech? I know Ian ‘˜Iceman’ Pinder is!
So I was ready to try this and see if it is fit for 160dB use in places where the tarmac is uneven and stuff gets dropped, as well as wet places. Anyway, while all good companies keep proper records of whose kit is where, for getting review stuff back, one or two quietly write it off, the moment it leaves. Panasonic do reserve the right to charge for remote controls of TVs after losing every damn ancillary item packed in with every single high value TV they sent out to interview for lots of titles. But this has never been asked and is journalistically hilarious.
Famously, the Sonim people dared a BBC dude at the CES one year, to hurt their phone. The viral video was funny but DID serve to prove these things are effing HENCH.
But just how hench this telephone of a brand that is NOT a Sonim phone and looks bloody brilliant, by the way, I will never be able to tell you. Because these folks, while being 24 karat as good as the game, (meaning really easy to speak with and engage) have a someone in a back room, who is not working to the same aim, I felt. They even required assurance indemnity for RETAIL value. Not trade, nor even ‘˜landed cost’ (which is the price to the maker to get it here in the UK)
In fact, I loved this absurd exchange so much, that I publish. I cannot TELL you how much I itch to reveal the phone and brand that makes a rugged phone you cannot review in case you scratch it. MOH!!!!!!!
Here is the stuff. We have clearly got on well
Hello Adam.
Back in March you exchanged a few emails with my colleague ******* with regards to reviewing one of our Rugged Mobile phones.
Is this something you would still like to do? If so I can arrange a sample to be sent over for review.
Let me know what you think.
Regards,
Hi ******,
I would love to!
My details
Hi Adam.
Will send this phone out for you tomorrow. Will be with you on Wednesday.
I thanked him nicely and told him about the new fishing title I was on. And got the last one..
Hi Adam.
Please find attached stock release form.
Please can you sign it at the bottom and send it back over? Once complete I can send the sample out.
Regards,
Here is said form. You could have SEEN me marvelling. I marvelled..
‘Re-Seller Stock Release Form
Date of stock issue: 5/08/2014
Contact name: Adam Rayner
Reseller Name:
Address:
Postcode:
Stock Issued: (I SO want to say)
Terms of release summary:
The handset MUST return in the condition it was supplied in with all accessories and packaging, within 14 days unless an extended period is agreed. The reseller agrees NOT to open up the handset.
If the handset is returned in a condition that is not satisfactory i.e. Scratched, damaged or tampered with, then the re-seller agrees to pay the full trade cost of £299 + vat.
Please also sign below to agree to the above stated terms, in any eventuality we aim to get the handsets back in good condition without incurring any charges. Please use special delivery to return the phone. Please note this sample phone is only for assessment and not for resale.
Signed..
Print Name:
Direct contact number’
For being treated as a ‘reseller’ as against an actual reviewer, they got this:
Hi (name withheld to spare a blush),
In twenty years, I never got sent such a document. Products are ALWAYS at risk of damage and insurance and cover has never been part of the process for the writer,
Rather, the risk to the OWNER is deemed worth the Good & Valuable Benefit to the products’ maker. In any case, landed cost, not full retail aught be the value! And due care from this end, by me taking all care, is always expected. But I do blow up woofers….
So, if I test the ultra-doodah glass on your tuff phone and scratch it… it gets paid for? How EXACTLY does that speak of your faith in your own damn product?
Oh dear… you needn’t even respond to this one, and I won’t even give you any more words, as I charge for them.
I am breath taken, this was arrogant and corporately childish, as well as suggesting that you regularly deal with awful chancers. Do NOT SELL IT… what the actual flip???????
And the insult means I cannot do an unbiased review.
wow.
I know I could come across as a bit effing up myselfbut do be brief!