So I’m working on a firehoop review for Kindle Fire Arts Magazine. I’m doing this of my own volition as a contribution to the firehooping community because I have spent too much money on the wrong firehoops in the past. The goal of the article is to help people find the right product for them without purchasing three hoops to get there. It’s such a familiar story, “I bought a firehoop but it’s too heavy and I don’t like spinning it.” Or “the wicks are too floppy” or any other number of complaints people have. All of the manufacturers volunteered to participate in the review and are aware of how it is being conducted.
This is an an email I received from an unnamed individual. This person is not a firehoop manufacturer. I actually don’t even know who the person is but they have zero direct involvement with the article. They also tried calling me on numerous occasions and left mildly aggressive voicemail’s.
Hi Rich,
My name is ___________ and I heard you are conducting a poll about fire hoops. I have some question about it.
1. Who is conducting the testing, who are on the panel of judges?
2. How is it unbiased?
3. Who initiated this poll?
4. Are you being paid? By whom? For what?
5. Are you posting results on hooping.org?
6. Are participates being notified of result prior to posting and/or printing of any article?
7. Can participates opt out if they do not like the results? Or have already submitted hoops?
8. What brand of hoop do you use personally? Why?
Thank you for taking the time out to answer these questions. As you can see it is an important issue that can affect all individuals involved, if they happen to be at the bottom of the list!
My Response:
Hi ___________,
Sorry, but it seems you’ve already made some hostile assumptions.
I have been in contact and received a demo hoop from each of the
participating companies and they are all aware of the parameters of
the survey. One company opted out. We’re not looking to bash any
products. I’m not being paid by anyone. I don’t sell any products.
I simply feel there is a lack of information available for those
purchasing about what is on the market. The article may or may not be
posted in hooping.org. It is being written for and in conjunction
with Kindle Fire Arts Magazine. The primary piece for the article
will be a quantitative comparison comparing weight, stiffness, burn
time, other characteristics, and price. There will be no list, no
star system, nothing. We’re calling it a round-up, not a review
because we don’t want any product being placed at the bottom of a
list. Kindle’s specific request is that the article is “up-beat”
I’ve personally owned about 8 fire hoops from 4 different
manufacturers. I now spin a cosmic fire hoop because it fits my
personal style. There are other products that I like and find
comparable. I plan on including this information in the article. Most
manufactures and fire hoopers recognize that different hoops fit
different expereince levels and styles. My hoop would be terrible for
a beginner. The reviewers come from a broad range of expereince
including one woman who has only fire hooped twice.
Hope this answers most of your questions.
Sincerely,
Rich
The individuals response:
Thank you Rich,
I appreciate your time to answer my questions, sorry to sound hostile. I just want to make sure my people know what they are getting themselves into.
This last statement is truly the kicker. The person had the nerve to essentially accuse me of being on the payroll of a firehoop company when I am just playing the role of consumer advocate. “My people” hah. Who’s the biased one here?
Share on Facebook
