We have all gotten used to reading reviews that tout all the great aspects of products and the companies that sell them. That is because for the most part those same products also help sponsor magazines and websites through advertisements. On anything I (we) review, we will give you an honest assessment of our opinions. A while back, about a year ago, I was approached by a company called Fox Creek Leathers and asked to review their leather riding jackets and leather vests for bikers. My exact written response back was - "I have found the two most often comments I hear when chatting with bikers about leather coats is that:
1- they don't make them like the used to
2- they don't fit old fat bikers" Fox Creek Leather responded back letting me know that they are a small family business located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and they custom make jackets using only the best grade cowhides. They asked for all my measurements, which I gladly sent right away. I even went as far to tell them how impressed I was with their ability to make a custom coat. A week later I received an email stating they lost my measurements and asked me to send them again, which I did and again stated that I looked forward to reviewing the coat and vest. Eleven days passed by and I received another email from Fox Creek Leather along with an invoice for the jacket and vest. The letter explained that I needed to pay for the clothing up front. I was to write the reviews, and before they were posted, send them to Fox Creek for editorial approval. Upon editorial approval and posting of such review, the money would be refunded. I have to say I was quite surprised by their tactics, but still tried to do my best to help out. I wrote a lengthy letter back which included - "Starting on Wednesday I go into production, for the 25th year, of a show
that essentially does exactly what you are trying to achieve. We bring over
300 newspaper TV critics to Beverly Hills and let them see in advance all
the new TV shows coming out this fall.
The show is paid for by the TV networks at a cost of a few million dollars.
The critics have first class accommodations, they are wined and dined, and
they get access to all the stars, directors and producers of the new shows.
Every possible thing is paid for by the networks and is done to insure the
critic is comfortable. The critics are given printed materials about the new
shows for accuracy in helping them write the articles, but at no time prior
to release does any network get to see or review the piece before it is
printed. All of the money and risk is worth it to the networks because they
know that professional TV critic reviews are the most important form of
advertising they do prior to a show airing." I went on to give them advise on how to find legitimate people to write their reviews. They did respond back thanking me for the advise but stated they did not want to send a jacket but would still send me a vest for review. It has been a year and I still have not seen the vest. My opinion is that any company who wants to control the media about their product does not have much of a product to begin with. If you have a different opinion or comment, please write it in the comment section at the bottom of the newsletter. | 
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