Interesting Links for 31-12-2020

[andrewducker]

Amazon still hasn't fixed its problem with bait-and-switch reviews

(tags:Amazon fraud reviews )

New virus variant found in Colorado while UK struggles to limit it

(tags:UK USA pandemic Doom )

10 Major Edinburgh developments set to be completed in 2021

(tags:Edinburgh construction cycling hotel shopping )

30 Years Since the Human Genome Project Began, What's Next?

(tags:genetics history thefuture )

Ohio State study: 30% of student athletes who had Covid have heart damage

(tags:pandemic heart doom )

The strengths and weaknesses of Benjamin the Donkey from Animal Farm as a political commentator

(tags:politics GeorgeOrwell animals )

Comments

[rhythmaning]

I couldn't understand how that Amazon "bait-and-switch" review thing works, so of course I googled it. I *still* don't really understand - to get a 5* honey review, I'd have expected you'd have had to actually sell someone some honey. Unless they're using entirely false reviews and have ended up copy-and-pasting from a different, unrelated product without even changing the product name.

https://kmyers.me/blog/general/amazon-scam-breakdown-the-bait-and-switch-for-false-reviews/

[stormclouds]

My understanding is they sell a usually cheap but good product, rack up a load of 5 star reviews and then change what the listing is for. I saw a webcam listing that had many 5 star reviews for command hook type things. When you looked at webcam reviews alone it was more like 2.5 - 3 stars. I never trust Amazon reviews until I examine them in detail.

Amazon should not allow different products to be sold under an existing listing. I don't know why this is allowed.

[snippy]

Amazon is more like Etsy with a thin veneer of Facebook than they would ever admit. They don't guarantee that anything is actually what is claimed; you could buy a "Staub" dutch oven at a slightly lower price thinking you found a sale, but actually get something made cheaply and of poor materials (eta because silly browser issue) and they give you no recourse.

[darkoshi]

Officially, it's not allowed based on Amazon's seller rules:
https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/help/external/200390640

But I guess the question is why does Amazon even allow the seller to update their listings like that; I think it wouldn't be very difficult to prevent a product's name, description and images from being radically changed. And to make it easier for customers to flag products that have had that done, ie. where the reviews don't match the product.
There's a "Report incorrect product information" link on the product pages, but that may only be for notifying the seller about an inaccuracy in the listing, rather than flagging it to Amazon for fraud.

[momentsmusicaux]

I can't figure out the location of the photo on '3. City centre west to east cycle link'. Arthur's seat in the background, but I don't recognize the buildings or the park on the left.

[andrewducker]

Me either! I wonder if it's a mock up.

[andrewducker]

I had to come back to this on my laptop, where I could peer at it better. The orientation of Arthur's Seat there puts us West of it. I think that building in the exact center of the photo is the Ryries pub. And when I do a Google Streetview from 88 Haymarket Terrace facing due East it basically gives me that view - except that the one in the photo is either manipulated or shot with a lens which compresses the distance a lot. (And the cycle lanes don't exist yet, obviously)

https://www.google.com/maps/@55.9459695,-3.222664,3a,75y,99.28h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sp07RhoFP3lbe1jJjZv4v2g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[momentsmusicaux]

Ha! You win a cookie!!

I was stuck thinking about places around the top of Leith Walk and Queen Street.

[andrewducker]

It was Ryries that did it. Otherwise I never would have worked it out. I was put off by those overhanging windows, because I know there are none of those at a point close enough to see Ryries. Cheating lenses didn't occur to me.