Do you purchase based on "influencer" advice?

I was talking to a friend the other day and he made me aware of a situation I actually knew but had not spent much thought on.

A mutual acquaintance had purchased an item that had been recommended by someone on TikTok. Apparently, it all looked good, seemed to fit the need and was reasonably priced.

It turned out the product was crap. Quelle surprise.

Its not the first time I have this type of story or variations thereof over the last few years either.

It reminds me of a quote a journo of very long standing a few weeks back. He had been invited to a press conference for details on a new item.

He was among many there – but the only real journalist. The rest were so-called “influencers” and during the proceedings, the vendor not only went through the details of the new product but advised them how best to describe it and otherwise talk about it in their social media channels – and how they would be rewarded for doing so!

So what I am getting at is that if you take your advice on buying anything new – from a car to a camcorder or a drone to a Dustbuster – via an “influencer”, you are doing just the same as reading an ad online, in a newspaper, magazine or on TV and simply accepting it as gospel.

In other words, these people are no more than paid sales staff.

Don’t let them convince you to buy any product without further research via independent reviewers or other sources.