http://atvchick47302.blogspot.com/2018/09/amazoncom-used-to-be-my-one-and-only.html
My thoughts were correct on why all of a sudden I was unable to post reviews, they have indeed revoked my privileges permanently, because SOME of my reviews were of products I had gotten free, and I disclosed this at the end of my review per FTC rules, just like I do here on my blog. I'm not trying to break the law! and I write HONEST reviews, Leaving out that I was given a product , or given a discount, or even paid to write the review is dishonest, not just breaking the FTC rules.
This is a screen shot of the E-mail they sent me this morning
And here is a screen shot of my reply back to them, and yes after I write this blog post, I am turning them into the FTC & the BBB. They can't bully people into breaking laws, and they can't discriminate against people, they have their special invite only Amazon VINE review program, those people are allowed to state they got the product for free in exchange for their review, however, if any one else does it from any other source they're getting their rights to write reviews revoked! If that isn't the pot calling the kettle black - I sure don't know what is!
I do not know how many others they've done this to, but I would assume it's been a lot , and if no one else stands up and speaks up, they will continue to do so.
This following link is from the FTC itself, if you'd want to take the time to read what it says people who review products (even if you do it just for fun once in a while) are supposed to disclose in their reviews when they got the product free in exchange for a review, at a discounted price in exchange for a review, and if the person pays you to write the review , the only time you do not need to disclose anything (But I often do just because it's part of what I am writing) is when you go out and buy something just because you want it, or needed it, and you have no affiliation with the company, or seller. For an example, you needed a new stove - went to Lowe's bought one, got home, love it -decided to write a review on Lowe's , Yelp or any where else about it. you do not have to state anything about how you go it, because you were not given anything in return for that review. Though most people end up writing how they got the product without even realizing, most of them do start their reviews off with " I went to Lowe's and bought a Kenmore Stove" or something along the lines, they usually always say " I bought" though. so no FTC Disclaimer is needed in those cases that you buy the product just when you are "reimbursed" sort of speak for your review of the product.
https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/ftcs-endorsement-guides-what-people-are-asking
And there is this one as well
https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/attachments/press-releases/ftc-staff-revises-online-advertising-disclosure-guidelines/130312dotcomdisclosures.pdf
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