Distrust for online Reviews

I do not recommend shopping on Amazon.com, but I admit it can be an interesting website to gather information. Or I thought it used to be. Lots of reviews there, more than any other site I’ve seen. A friend and I once discussed the minimum number of reviews one should look for, for the data to be (hopefully) a rounded representation. But anymore, it appears reviews can be bought or censored, and that’s kind of sad. While looking for a desk light, I spent hours looking for features I wanted, and reviews for various brands and models. Even if I was only looking to spend $50, I didn’t want to have to try out 3 different ones to get the right one (or one that lasts) and therefore spend more like $150. Maybe I overthink things, but I also don’t want to throw money away by buying crap. I found reviews that were “updated” saying they never got their gift card for submitting a 5-star review. Hmm, sounds like that’s a good way to get false testimonials that won’t all be written in the same voice (less obviously fake). I attempted to submit a review on Amazon for the Arteza pens, and found they would not post it, but offered me a refund instead. While that’s more appropriate, it’s still sad if they’re attempting to buy my silence. Their note read “We hope that you give us another chance. If you would like a full refund: please reply 'Full refund'.” What, they want me to buy their pens again and hope for a better batch? No way. You want me to stop submitting unfavorable reviews simply stating the couple of pens that worked were gloppy? Or you just don’t want me to be miffed for refusing to post my review? It’s not like was an over-done angry post about a waste of money and horrible product. I noted that for coloring, the gloops may not be as noticeable as with writing. I said how much use I got out of the one pen that did work. I didn’t frame it as good or bad. I have to wonder how many others they have censored or trying to buy off to with-hold less favorable reviews. I know it’s stupid to “trust the internet” but I guess I’m a dope, not realizing sooner, that with all the opportunity for sharing information and knowledge, well, it’s all probably just loads of crap (or more so than I’d realized).