Ethics Policy
We maintain a strict ethics policy for all of our staff and contributors. This strict ethics policy is intended to ensure that the content on this website is independent, unbiased, accurate, and based solely on the merits of the products we review.
Gifts, Bribes, other Monetary Compensation
Full-time members of the editorial staff, part time members, freelancers, contributors, or any parties involved with the editorial process are strictly prohibited from accepting any gifts, bribes, prizes, or monetary compensation from any companies or the surrogates of such companies that we cover or may soon expand to cover.
Trips
All of our editorial staff, part-time members, freelancers, contributors, or any parties involved with the editorial process are strictly prohibited from accepting any trips or press junkets sponsored by companies that are covered by our website. If it is necessary for us to participate in press junkets or a trip organized by companies we cover, we absorb all associated costs in full.
Social Events, Press Functions and Meals
We believe it is necessary to attend industry social functions hosted by manufacturers to develop contacts and sources and to raise industry awareness of our website. Our editorial staff are permitted to attend social functions, press functions, and associated meals hosted by the companies we cover. We only allow participation at these events if attending the function furthers the development of a source, contact, or story which is critical for developing quality content on this website.
Recommendations
All recommendations posted on this website and made by our editorial staff in the media or in public must be based solely on the editorial product analysis process. We will not permit our recommendations to be influenced by any outside biased party who seeks to put their self-interest over the credibility, integrity, and independence of our reviews regardless of a perceived advertising or business relationship advantage which might accrue to this website. Furthermore, recommendations are not made for the purpose of marketing this website. Our inherent value is in our independence, credibility, and integrity. All our recommendations placed in marketing materials must be based upon the editorial product analysis process and nothing else.
Advertising Labeling
All advertising on this website is separated from content. When Advertising is placed in content, it is to be clearly labeled as advertising and must in no away attempt to deceive the user into believing that it is not advertising. Advertising which appears like content, otherwise known as “advertorials”, is prohibited from this website.
Product Loans
We may receive short term loans of products for evaluation. All products loaned to us are returned expeditiously to the manufacturer. In the rare case in which the manufacturer does not want the product back, the product is given away to charity. Under no circumstances may the product remain in the possession of anyone on the editorial team.
Investment and Employment
All of our editorial contributors are prohibited from direct investment in any of the companies that are covered by this website. Editorial contributors may not be employed, consult to, or receive any compensation from any company that we cover while employed by this website. In the event that an editorial team member is offered employment by any company which we cover, they must immediately disclose such an offer to our management.
Potential Bias of Any Form
Our editorial staff and any parties involved with the editorial process are strictly prohibited from engaging in any business or personal relationships which might possibly create any source of inappropriate bias towards one company or another. All editorial staff and anyone involved with the editorial process must immediately disclose any relationships, dealings, or anything not covered by this ethics policy which may have any potential for creating inappropriate bias. These potential conflicts will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis in order to remove any potential inappropriate influences on the editorial process.