중학교 영어 2 (천재교과서 이상기) 연계 글

Before you buy something online, you probably read the reviews first. Reviews can show you many things that the seller's photos cannot show. However, not every review is helpful. Here are a few ways to read reviews like a smart shopper.

First, do not trust the average star rating alone. A product with four and a half stars may look perfect, but that number does not tell you much. So read a few of the low ratings, too. Some low ratings, however, say little about the product itself. Other low ratings point out problems that happy buyers never mention. If many of them describe the same problem, take it seriously.

Second, look for reviews with photos and specific details. A short review with no details gives you little information. A helpful review explains how the writer used the product and what happened after a few weeks. Photos which real buyers take also show the true color and size of the item.

Third, be careful with reviews that sound like advertisements. If a review contains much praise but few facts, ask yourself who wrote it. Some sellers give free products to people in exchange for reviews. A review that someone wrote after receiving a free product may not be completely fair. Honest writers usually say that they received the product for free. Look for this note before you trust the review.

Finally, check the date of each review. Products can change over time, so a review from three years ago may describe an older version. Read the most recent reviews first.

Online reviews are advice from people you have never met. A smart shopper does not believe everything that strangers write. Instead, a smart shopper compares several reviews and then decides.