Jack Flash is Back!

[travisKR]

Really, I'm interested in what you think about testing the strains anonymously... by asking for free weed when you walk in a shop you are basically requesting a bribe, even if you don't see it that way. Strainman does not reveal his identity until after all purchases are made... similar with other critics in other fields.

I'm willing to take further ideas but I don't know how I could do this more than once at a dispensary because they would know me the next time I go back? I'm also interested in getting to know the people at the store because I enjoy networking in humanity so I want them to know who I am. I do understand your comparison though.

One interesting thing to note, we started the first 40 reviews the way you stated. In fact, the grades have come down since then - likely more coincedence than cause but I found that interesting when I looked over the historical curve. As we mvoed the curve to account for 100 strains it was the early reviews for the most part that we felt could no longer hold their mark against the competition....

The only other benefit I don't want to lose from the current scenrio is that the first time we are in we like to let the owner know what's up so they can give us what they want reviewed. I don't want to turn patients away from a good store based upon a strain I picked off the shelf for curiosity sake because they think the whole shop only has B- stuff. That isn't the end of the world I guess, but I think it feels like the right thing to do.

Honestly, I'm still reading this thread because I want to learn and incorporate further ideas and concepts. We've reached out to Channing on Denver Chronicle and to MMJinColorado, and a new place about to go live called coloradodispensaryreview.com for their feedback and collaboration. I want a place for new patients to go and get an idea of what they are dealing with, where to go, what they can look for, etc. The better that collaboration is, the greater the benefit to the patient.

Forgot - last I read strainman had a price guide on his site to charge dispensaries to come and review them. That was a couple months ago so I don't know if he changed that model?

[TheReleafCenter]

Well, since this thread has been thoroughly jacked (no pun intended), I'll give you my two cents about KindReviews.

The post about Cherry Creek Health on KR seemed disingenuous to me, specifically:

You can read our methodology on the About Us page to know that we wonâ??t take money from any dispensary to perform reviews and that we donâ??t grade dispensaries, only medicine. Well the feature page is where we have the opportunity to speak our mind on what excites us for any reason we choose.

I have an email that specifically talks about the advertising rate for the "Featured" space, and let me assure you, it is not cheap. The methodology for that section may have changed, but that statement (to me) gives the impression that either previous or future features were not sponsored, which I think is false.

Review sites absolutely depend on an unbiased reviewer, and so you have to set your standards sky high as an editor. I appreciate the professionalism of KR (they called yesterday to apologize for this thread, who does that?!) but I just can't get on board with their model. I'll continue to submit buds for review, and who knows what will happen to the scores... that's the furthest thing from my mind.

Let me know if I'm way off base with this, too, KR guys. You seem like alright people.

[travisKR]

Releaf, you are right for sure. We do accept cash for the Featured Page (though only twice has that happened at this step). Our desire was to keep that for us alone but we had two dispensaries actively engage us for that spot, and frankly because we are broke we decided to do it. It is good exposure if a shop wanted to pay for it, and it worked very well for both who did. One did a strain and one did their whole shop. MostHi, NationalWeedographic, real lemon are examples of ones we just chose on our own, no advertising.

We won't change anything we do regarding your shop or any other because you don't advertise. We range from 750-1500 page views depending on weekend or weekday with a very target audience. Some people will want to pay for that extra advertising, other shops use the strains themselves for the only advertising. Truth is a good review or any for that matter is the cheapest advertising online any dispensary could get right now in CO, a gram donated at whatever cost a shop has and exposure on a site with 23,000 monthly page views. SOme shops don't need any advertising, others have told me they are struggling - to each their own.

I will make sure the About Us page gets updated to clearly reflect your concern. I don't want to lead people astray, and frankly I think it was written before the first cash offer came in.

We are sorry this post got jacked. At least you know we are your paying customers as of our Jack Flash pickup Saturday

[travisKR]

Maybe the About Us isn't the right place to add it in. Should we place a "this feature is a paid advertisement" disclaimer on the front feature text instead?

[TheReleafCenter]

Word, thought that was probably the story. Sorry to hear about any financial issues you guys might be going through.

And RE: Ingrid from Lotus... I know that grower, it's 100% indica and I'm 99% sure she's the only one in the state with those genetics. I've been assured that she's going to be working with fewer dispensaries after some headaches (and bounced checks) and that we'll be one of them. Did they tell you it was a hybrid?

[travisKR]

And RE: Ingrid from Lotus... I know that grower, it's 100% indica and I'm 99% sure she's the only one in the state with those genetics. I've been assured that she's going to be working with fewer dispensaries after some headaches (and bounced checks) and that we'll be one of them. Did they tell you it was a hybrid?

Actually we were unable to get much info at the dispensary on Ingrid at all. The one person I got some info from wasn't afilliated with the store, and seemed a little unlcear. I will edit that post now - THANK YOU for the information.

Money is certainly and end of all of our work, no other choice in this society right now, but the only issue came when we realized there was no way to get the amount of samples, the photos, the reviews, answer questions, research, and everything else that goes into the site and treat it as an hour or two hobby. We dedicated more time, which is excellent for any reader of the site, but that means less gainful employment for us. Enters advertising which seems to have been a major fly in the ointment. It pays for the service provided in a very small portion and allows us to try to further expand viewership. We feel expanded viewership helps in two ways, it gives further exposure to the dispensaries and it brings more people more information, i.e. having a bigger impact.

When the very first couple reviews went up early last summer we had an email from an older lady who said she had been extremely nervous to do anything about her card and her daughter helped her online. She said she felt much better after seeing our site because she felt like she wasn't alone. I wish I knew we had that impact every day, but even if there is a chance someone else thinks that, it'll be worth it.

[FarmerSteve]

I'll give KR the following reviews:

Kindness and willingness to grow as a person- A+

Reviewing ability- I

Business model- To me, it's an "F". How can you make money and be 100% above the possible fray? I can't see a way, but maybe you can make it work, in which case you move right to an "A".


KR, you have what matters nailed. :thumbsup:

And I agree about WW. I do NOT like that crap. Never have.

[travisKR]

[quote=FarmerSteve]I'll give KR the following reviews:

Business model- To me, it's an "F". How can you make money and be 100% above the possible fray? I can't see a way, but maybe you can make it work, in which case you move right to an "A".
QUOTE]

Steve, as reviewers we are certainly the most open to being critiqued. Thanks for your words and input.

In answer to this point, it will be a GLORIOUS day when we can have advertisers that aren't dispensaries. If an event promoted itself, or a pipe shop advertised, or any other company that didn't grow or sell the medicine was the means to our end, would that allow you to feel more comfortable with the position we've put ourselves in? I ask that seriously because I'm working hard to build those relationships now - if I can please the most vocal and critical I've got a good shot at the rest.... Gracias.

[FarmerSteve]

"The most vocal critic"?

Shoot, I just want to see the best things happen. I would L.O.V.E. to have a review team that I could trust and believe in their ability and integrity. I'm just lending voice to the issues that keep such a thing from happening.

After the past few weeks, based on NOTHING involving MMJ or this board, I am at my lowest ebb in a long time in how much hope I have for the progress of our society based on NOTHING other than the fact that people seemingly cannot find the ability to treat one another with just a little, old school respect.

peace.

[lampost]

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