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The number of company reps that ask if I "charge any fees" for reviews really upsets me. Reviews are not paid for. If you are being paid, it's not a review. Pretty simple and straightforward.

Welcome to (usually) Asian PR companies. Or their seniors telling them to ask that. It's been happening for decades, won't stop soon.

Is this truly a common practice? Seems shady af. I have my sites that I’ve trusted for a long time, but I worry about some since they get bought up and put into these large ‘online mag’ corps (for a lack of a better term).

It's the way that a good portion of Asia operates. You pay for the time, you get a good review. Asian PR companies (especially young PR agents) often think it applies globally.

Likes

For years we've just responded

'We do not charge for reviews. However we are not interested in your product either.

I think in the states we call that ‘advertising’ but I could be wrong..

Reviews undeclared as paid for is often referred to as Payola. Non-disclosure is often a big issue... except in Asia. Sometimes those interested in the presenter do not care.

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@IanCutress

I eat wafers | 10 Yr Senior CPU Editor, http://AnandTech.com | TechTechPotato