18.543 reviews in 5 days? (19th-23th June) That's a lot.
The customer reviews section was previously hidden during the closed beta test, though the review section was accessible with the right URL and just a few weeks ago there were only 4 mixed reviews.
I wonder how many amazon customers got a free sample as one wrote: "SO happy we got to sample one of these playtoys, first! What a disappointment!"
Amazon blasted out an email to early users a few days ago soliciting reviews so that could explain it. I have had Echo for 6 months and I imagine many of the other reviewers have as well. I got a 50% discount for being a Prime member. I'm not aware of any free samples simply for being a Prime member and good customer. My Amazon account is over 15 years old with an absolutely massive purchase history across nearly every product category and I have been a Prime member since the beginning. I'd like to think I would have been in line for a free sample if that was a thing.
As a long term Amazon customer too I doubt Amazon cares. They nag me with their Prime subscription opt-in dialog every time like I am a new first time user. Though I couldn't care less about a subscription model - I use Amazon as a online storefront to buy physical and digital goods on demand.
Amazon sent me an email asking me if I wanted to review it, so I did. They probably asked every single person who bought one of the pre-release Echo devices.
The customer reviews section was previously hidden during the closed beta test, though the review section was accessible with the right URL and just a few weeks ago there were only 4 mixed reviews.
I wonder how many amazon customers got a free sample as one wrote: "SO happy we got to sample one of these playtoys, first! What a disappointment!"