F.A.Q.

Q: Why should I care whether you like something or not?

A: You shouldn’t! Just because I like something doesn’t mean it will suit you. What I hope, though, is that I can always tell you enough about why I do or don’t like an item so that you can judge for yourself whether it can fit into your life.

Say, for instance, that I dislike a cell phone because the button for quick access to Instant Messaging keeps getting in the way when I want to just place a call. (This is a purely hypothetical example.) That same cell phone might be perfect for someone who almost exclusively uses their phone for IM’ing.

Q: Where do you get your products for review?

A: Shopping Jen acquires review products in a few ways. First, there’s simply going out and paying retail prices for it, just like everyone else. Many of the products we will review here are can be found in our own grocery bags. Of course, whenever we can we will buy these items at a good sale price!
I am also, sometimes, offered a free product or book. Marketing firms and publishers give away free items in the hopes of generating word-of-mouth advertising for their goods. These freebies are always given without strings attached - Shopping Jen is in no way obligated to review the items, nor to give them a favorable review if we do.

At times, we may be given gifts by friends or family for holidays or other special occasions.  If these are products we especially like, we may review them here.

Here at Shopping Jen, we promise that every review will specify by what means the product was received - whether Retail Purchase, Gift, or Complimentary Offer.

We also want you to rest assured that all our reviews will be our honest opinions, and not unduly influenced by the means by which the product was acquired.

Q: Your reviews seem generally favorable - do you ever actually dislike something?

A: Yes, I do. In most cases, however, I am aware that there are few completely bad products -but  there are many products that may not suit my needs at this time.

This is why I will try to include in my reviews these two things:

• The point of view I come to the product with. As a knitter, for instance, and a large-sized woman, when I review a knitting book one of my first concerns is whether it includes patterns that will fit me. Point of View gives you important context for understanding the reasons for my likes and dislikes.
• Who the product would be good for. If the product didn’t suit me for one reason or another, I’ll try to suggest what categories of people might find it perfect for them.

It takes an amazing amount of skill on the part of a designer, manufacturer, or publisher to produce a completely bad, truly awful item, food, or book. Most such goods will never actually make it to market. Trust me, though - if I find one that I feel fits that category, I’ll tell you!

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