Sunday, September 20, 2015

Mystery Shopper Forum

I'm up and about it early this morning. As the end of the month is approaching, I plan to stack up a few better paying shops. And yet, I found myself catching up on some helpful posts on one of my favorite resources.

For the shopper followers.... Let me reintroduce... the Mystery Shopper Forum -
http://www.mysteryshopforum.com/. Happy Sunday!

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Product Review: YYGIFT Smart Video WiFi Doorbell

I felt the need to share one my Amazon Reviews because not everything turns out exactly as hoped. My goal is of course to share those 4 and 5 star things that others might be interest in. I thought this one would be one for the books as it was destined to be assume when I ordered it. But despite some people's thoughts about product reviews and reviewers, not EVERY single one is a five star or remotely close. 
I had the opportunity to review a Wireless Door Bell with built in camera. I gave it barely deserved 2   ultimately ended up returning the product. I wasn't ugly about it, and while it did have benefits, it also very much had some issues that made it...

Just a Doorbell
I was excited to get this doorbell as added security protection to my smart home in progress. My full and open self-disclosure is that with a wireless garage door opener and wireless cameras that were self-installed, I am maybe a bit more experienced in installing smart devices than a first time user.
So let me first start by saying this doorbell is bigger than an ordinary doorbell, but nonetheless very modern looking. It is one unit, not too heavy, and definitely sturdy. The instructions are a bit confusing, so take it step by step and you’ll get it. It also had multiple adapters that, well, weren’t all needed. The doorbell though is not that easy to figure out without the directions though.
The doorbell comes with everything needed to setup (EXCEPT an AC adapter and 2 AA batteries for the in house receiver, if you are going either of those routes). It also does not have a tiny screwdriver, so have one handy in addition to a regular Philips head screw driver. By tiny, I mean eyeglass screwdriver size… I wasn’t expecting that one but luckily had one accessible.
The app is pretty easy. If you have used any other smart wireless home product apps (i.e. security camera, garage openers, wireless locks), this application looks similar to all the others!
Getting down to the nitty gritty… Based on my experience, I could not recommend this product for what it should be. As a regular doorbell and maybe an Ethernet connection MAYBE… but for a wireless doorbell with built in camera, I’m sorry, it just didn’t fit the buck. From my experience, I spent maybe 20 minutes checking it out and programming it before installing outside my home and it appeared to work pretty well. Once I got it installed outside, I could not get it to hold a signal to the wifi. Having other things connected to the wifi that are further, I ruled out the fact that welp, it is too far for the signal to reach. I reset it several times, uninstalled and reinstalled and while it works on the regular receiver, it’s very finicky with being connected to the app on my phone. It works for a minute or two and then it’s not connected. This to me is no Bueno because if the camera and app don’t work, it is just yet another doorbell. I'm currently waiting on a response on it and will likely be returning this item.
I was provided this item at a discount in exchange for my honest and unbiased feedback.

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Lesson #1 in Reviewing: Amazon Rank

This information is strictly my opinion based on my experience. I recognize that there may not be any science or research evidence to base this information on other than as clearly stated as a fact. 

I felt it was important to share information about reviewing and why it seems I can get many of the things I want for review purposes. You've got to have good grammar. You've got to be informative. You've got to make your review stand out from the other several hundred that will be posted as well. Those who know me, tend to know, I march at the beat of my own drum, so the last one was not all that difficult for me.

I've also learned the importance of Amazon ranking in the review world. Two months ago from tomorrow (Sept 13th), I began documenting my Amazon ranking in my Excel spreadsheet that I keep my review information but on a seperate tab. I've seen myself rating cut itself in half, since reviewing much more serious and beginning this blog as well as doing more video and picture reviews.

Fact: I do not video or picture review everything.
Fact: I do not have special equipment to photograph, video, or edit for Amazon.
Fact: I do not fully understand how reviewer rank works. It does not appear to be a simple math formula, but more complex based on % and amount of reviews and helpful reviews combined.

Regardless, I'm happy to see my rank go higher and would love to eventually be an Amazon Vine Reviewer. Don't know about the Vine Reviewer program? Click my link!

Let's just say even without being a Vine Reviewer, I'm shooting for top 10.000 reviewer and I'm more than half way to this goal! I look twice a week at my ranking and I've seen it go up, but I've seen it go down (by thousands over a few days). Nonetheless, I'm going to keep swimming!

With that being said... I continue to make improvements including changing the font on this page and utilizing other social media more in my reviews. Feel free to follow me on Twitter @DaNetJunkie. I make no promises or guarantees of using this page frequently, but I'm working on it!

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Review: Calily Diffuser

As a prior Calily customer, I was excited to receive the opportunity to review this product, a Calily Oil Diffuser. It is lightweight, but about the size of a large can good. Of course, this is my 3rd Oil Diffuser, so by now I 1) know how to work them without instructions and 2) love love love them. When I received this diffuser, I quickly noted the mini-pitcher for pouring the water in the diffuser, as well as the two dots that have to be aligned for the diffuser to work. I hooked it and was ready to go. I had a small issue for a day, but it has since resolved and I'm back in business with this diffuser.

The brand and the product both get 

Due to difficulties displaying the videos on my blog, please check it out HERE

Review: Whistling Tea Kettle

Loaning out my electric tea kettle to work, I was in the market for a new alternative for home when I came across this tea kettle. I decided while not an electronic alternative, to give it a try on my gas stove. I got it and very much looked forward to receiving it for my own individual use. This is the perfect addtition to kitchen full of stainless steel appliances and pots and pans. While my kitchen isn't this, this was my first and most immediate thought upon seeing it and having one of my stainless steel pots near, as it fits in so well. Putting water in it, on the stove, and turning it up high, it was a matter of minutes and it was whistling. YMMV - Of course, the time to heat will vary based on your stove. That being said, it does what it says it will and you can see so in my video. It's not super loud, but easily heard. It's nothing more and less than I expected.

For this product, I'd say !


I'm having difficulty uploading videos to my blog, so to hear what I had to say, check it out HERE.

Review: Wool Dryer Balls


I had the opportunity to give these dryer balls a whirl (pun intended)! They are my new favorite alternative to dryer sheets. The inner tree hugger in me smiles everytime I toss one in the dryer. It is not nearly as wasteful and does the same thing a fabric sheet was EXCEPT you can choose your individual scent, which we all know I collect and love! Eliminates static - check! Safe to use - check! Customized scent - check! Eco-friendly - check! What is not to love?! These balls are great! 
 ALL THE WAY HOME! 

Special shout out to http://www.reviewstuffz.com/ for the opportunity to enter and win this wonderful product! 

As I am having trouble uploading videos to my blog, to hear what I had to say, check it out HERE!

Product Review: Luseta Shampoo and Conditioner


I had the opportunity to try out the Luseta Tea Tree and Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner. First off, cool pump! It makes washing my hair that much easier! The shampoo and conditioner also have a pleasant smell, a must have for me!

So does it work? Well, the shampoo cleanses my hair and the conditioner softens my hair. In the immediate it does. But after a day, I noticed my hair drying out more and really struggling to keep its moisture. In the end, I found myself using more hair products between washes. I like the product, feel it would be better used mixed with other shampoos and conditioners or for someone who washes every day or in the least, every other day.

This Shampoo and Conditioner is advertised as good for all hair types. Overall, I give it a rating of 


Here me talk about my view of the product HERE!

This is me after washing with the products (both shampoo and conditioner) while allowing my hair to naturally dry: