After having done reviews on this blog for a few years now, we thought it was definitely time to put some policies in place which define what we offer when any writer from the Hot Zone Online accepts an offer to review a commercially-made product. Here is our list:

1. The manufacturer agrees to provide products for review, without cost, upon mutual agreement with the reviewer accepting the assignment. These will be mailed directly to the writer/reviewer, and without any shipping costs incurred by the reviewer.

2. There is no predetermined period of time for which reviews are due to be completed, but the manufacturer has the right at any time to inquire on the status of the review and an estimated day of completion, if it is available. All of the writers/reviewers for the Hot Zone Online have real full-time jobs which almost always take precedence over any project undertaken for the blog. However, it is reasonable to expect that reviews will be done in a timely fashion whenever possible.

3. By submitting a product, or products, for review, the manufacturer accepts the fact that the written review may not be positive. These write-ups are reviews, not advertisements, and no writer is obligated to write positively about a product that they may not like. It is not within our rights to make libelous statements or to tell people not to buy the product, but we will occasionally say we don’t like a particular product. All attempts will be made to provide a fair review to the best of our ability.

4. Comments about products in written reviews may address packaging, labeling, nature and integrity of ingredients, flavor/taste, aroma, utility in food, heat or level of hotness, product history, and anything else judged pertinent to the review by its writer.

5. Reviews are provided without cost to the manufacturer, save for the cost they incur for shipping and for the products themselves from their inventory. The Hot Zone Online generates no income for itself from any of these reviews.

Changes to these policies are at the discretion of the Hot Zone Online blog administrators, and are subject to change at any time. For any questions or concerns about these policies, please send us a message through our CONTACT FORM and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Thanks!!

- The Hot Zone Online