R'osity Under The Ratings Spotlight. I told you we don't do cheerleading. Ratings methodology is outlined and described on the site as well (check the menu on the RH side), so you'll know how and why the ratings came to what they are (and what standards are used.) If I missed any changes, or something relevant to the past two to three months, please let me know. Next week: PoserPros :) The bigger stores will get re-rated once every six months, while the smaller operations (Poserworld ferinstance) will be re-visted once a year. PPros looks large enough by now to sit in the 6-month rotation... /P

Nice idea but >There should have been some sort of 'grandfather clause' in place to allow those particular products to keep the same price cut< There is everything exlusive before the date of change has the 60/40 cut in place/

Where can I find that particular info? This would change things greatly if that's the case. /P

you could email clint. But I know from experience, everyting that I have uploaded prior to the change has the 60/40 split. But don't take my post as a critisizm cause I really like reviews on things, I think that it is a great idea.

I have my own ratings system for each store.

I'm selfish -- I tend to judge a store by the level of my own satisfaction.

I give Renderosity a 9.5 overall.

Why the 0.5 drop? Due to the fact that I agree with you on the problem with niche items. A truly niche item shouldn't just drop off the face of the earth after being in the Warehouse for a time.

That niche item might be just the thing that I need for a scene -- two years after the product's release. It's disappointing to find an item gone that could have been just right for something.

So, I subtract 0.5 from a perfect "10" for that reason.

Otherwise, I have few, if any, complaints.

"But I know from experience, everyting that I have uploaded prior to the change has the 60/40 split." I'll poke around and ask other merchants, but I'll put up a correction... (update: correction noted and confirmed, though the number didn't move too much - it went from something like a low 7 to a high 7, so I left it as it was since I only use whole numbers.) "But don't take my post as a critisizm cause I really like reviews on things, I think that it is a great idea." Constructive criticism is one of the things that I can always use... especially if I goof on something. I can certainly welcome anything that helps me improve, especially if since I'm writing it all to serve others. No sense in my avoiding it if the whole rationale of the site is to dish it out, no? :) /P

the rating you gave would be fairly close to what I've experienced here, I'd maybe be 1 point higher for honesty in item presentation but that's it (and thats only because I'm aware of the rating systems bogus nature and ignore the feature).

I liked your review, Pengy. The only thing I'd add is that someone really needs to spend some time proofreading the ads themselves. I mentioned this to Clint, and apparently it's the merchant's responsibility. I've worked in advertising, and such errors are just plain not acceptable. Renderosity is my first choice for shopping because I usually find what I want, and at a better price.

One thing about typos, misspellings, odd syntax, etc. in product descriptions......for many of the MP merchants, English isn't their first language.

So, I tend to cut them some slack on that score. Perhaps they should consider getting some help from a native English speaker -- not to mention a decent writer.

Message edited on: 01/21/2005 16:44

One thing, I find irritating, which I don't if it's the stores fault or not....lets say you've bought something...need to redownload & find the items or artist no longer here without a single damn word. If a merchant chooses to leave/sell his models he/she should let past purchasers now WTH is going on. I can't even begin to count how many of said items I have >:(. Since merchants come & go like the wind, if I see an item I like, I don't let it sit for more than a month for fear it might be gone. This causes me to buy things I don't need NOW but maybe down the road. Ditto the niche items as well. Because of this, I give the store a 9.0. Customer service is great etc etc.

Double Ditto the niche items as well. Thats what I sell and they're slowly going bye bye, grrr.

Attached Link: http://market.renderosity.com/softgood.ez?ViewSoftgood=19322

This is the type of item that could prove extremely useful at some point in time -- just not right now.

But if I don't buy it today, then it might be gone tomorrow. Not a good thing. I don't mean to ignore other niche items -- this is one among many.

Attached Link: http://market.renderosity.com/softgood.ez?ViewSoftgood=31097

Someday, I might have a need for a good model of an air conditioner. Perhaps not today, or next week, or next month.....but perhaps six months from now.

I'd hate to see the item gone when the time comes.

IMHO, niche products should fall into a special, separate category. One that doesn't vanish from the MP. You never know when you might need something like this.

But what would be the classification of a niche item. Sure they are unique but I feel that everything is unique in it's own way.

But what would be the classification of a niche item.

Yes, I know. That's the rub, isn't it? Everyone would like to claim that their item represented a "niche item".

To me, a "niche item" would be items like these two examples. Items other than V3/M3 character packages, clothing, hair.....things that aren't your standard marketplace fare.

I would say that the appellation "niche" fits props such as buildings, vehicles, urban environments, tools, household items, furniture......you name it. The type of thing that could be useful in many scenes -- but specialized.

In fact, in this case, "specialized" might be a good synonym for "niche".

Thanks for pointing that out Xeno..it's in my cart :)

You are certainly welcome. I think that I'll at least pick up the Cream Can Roadside Dairy before it's gone.

well, ODF sold two of a niche item that was in several carts through here, and has since moved that product over to it's own site. The product? An antique washing machine and clothes line. With morphing laundry, no less -- blows in the winds, falls to the ground in a crumple, etc. Hell of a set, but very, very niche. It is one of those things you need once in a while, but have a hard time finding. IT was doomed here at rosity. But then, Odd Ditty Foundry has the advantage of having it's own site -- has for a year, so it's easy to shift stuff there that is good, but is very niche.

I think 90 day s without a sale is too short a time period. If the item doesn't sell in a year, then maybe it's time to consider removing it. But frankly, I think you should give the merchant the option of sticking it in a "any model for 2 bucks" category for another year. Call it a Platin..... Er "Gold Club" item. :)

The only thing I'd add is that someone really needs to spend some time proofreading the ads themselves." Considering most people here have a hard time spelling "definitely" and "millennium" I don't see it happening any time soon.

I noticed it said on honesty "The reason they rated so low in spite of otherwise decent reviews in this category is the fact that merchants can choose to excise any feedback that doesn't praise their products." I know this used to be true but it was changed a long time ago, I don't see any way to change product feedback now. Are you sure about this? Maybe I am not thinking of the right thing, it's the reviews that show up below the product right?

I know a customer can't remove or change a product review. We have to ask Clint to do that. Seriously, I think a customer should have total control of their own reviews, as long as they follow the rules or TOS.

Yes what Bobby says is true, if you get a bad feedback you can ask to get it removed, but it has to be of a deroggitory (sic) nature, and of no value to the product page. But it is up to the store not the merchant AFAIK,.

Penguinisto, Thanks for the link! Good stuff. The review site looks fantastic as well. In regards to the feedback part of the review. "The reason they rated so low in spite of otherwise decent reviews in this category is the fact that merchants can choose to excise any feedback that doesn't praise their products." All customer feedback is visible and is not editable by the merchant or staff. FYI, Clint

Cool - when did y'all change that? (haven't had direct access to the Merchant's forum in a dog's age...) /P

"when did y'all change that?" Hi Penguinisto, When the new Product Review system was launched. Its been a while. The old system functioned as you described. Clint

'k. I'll make the necessary changes. Question, though: Have you ever considered an eBay-style feedback system? (at least the part which tabulates good/neutral/bad, and allows custoemrs to rate products in that fashion?) /P

I'll have to go look at the e-bay system since I'm not familiar with it. Thanks for making the corrections to the MarketPlace review and best of luck with Spark Chaser! Clint