Just from the standpoint of perspective:
Personally I've stepped away from reviewing because doing free promotion for a product isn't really my thing. Back in the day (three years ago) many of us posted "
reviews" or tutorials because we were dealing with product that barely worked, or required significant modification. So that crew of "reviewers" has sort of come and gone, along with that particular reason for reviewing.
Today, I'm skeptical of video
reviews, from the standpoint of their utility.
Reviewing isn't a hobby anymore. It's more a "hobby industry". So for my own reasons, I've left it be for the most part.
There's some things which bother me, because I think the community relies too much on reviewers and "notable" e-cig people:
1. The opinion of the consumer (most of the people reading this) is what counts. And more non-well known people need to be posting opinions, in video form, to compete with the "big three reviewers" and the huge number of shows/networks. Back when I was active as a reviewer, there were 30 well known reviewers. Now there's like 3. And while I like those guys, that leaves out about 1,000,000 e-cig consumers' opinions.
2. This is a fact: You cannot cover the full spectrum of e-cigs as a "reviewer/personality" without free product or industry support. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying. With rare exception, anyone running a show, network, or who is prolifically reviewing on youtube (with popularity) is inundated with vendors willing to front free product.
That's not to say everyone is dishonest- they are not. But the bias sneaks in when the relationship is formed with the vendors. A friendship, or perceived friendship, generally comes with the package.
Caveat Emptor.
