Foffa Bikes

You seemed to be saying that you'd get someone saying nice things because they'd been given a freebee. I'm saying you might get a slight change in wording. But only slight.

HOWEVER...

None of the opinions of the people who liked the bikes were written in the manner of someone who was softening any blows or avoiding sticking the knife in too badly, they were just plain pleased with the product they had bought. Which is very different from being a little nicer about something you weren't 100% happy with cos you feel endebted.

So, logic says to me, that they aren't saying nice things because they've been "bought off".
You are missing the point entirely.

I originally responded to a question by Wigan Will regarding my previous discounting of the opinion of a particular person who has been very vocal in with respect to this particular shop. Knowing some of the history and also the particular person involved I discounted their opinion as I view it to have been changed due to being afforded a free bike. I personally believe they wouldn't have purchased themselves. And would continue to not purchase should their current one spontaneously combust. I am talking about a very specific case whereas you're trying to generalise.

Additionally in response to your second paragraph, I couldn't give a fuck about the opinion of people directed to this site by Dani. They are not part of our community and their words are meaningless as we haven't got the faintest who they are or what their knowledge base is.

Case 1:If a prolific member of the forum went and bought a Foffa then wrote a review I'd value that over and above 50 from people whom I will never know anything about.

Case 2:If someone who'd been around for a few months and posted in other threads with some intelligence, bought a Foffa and posted a review I'd value that over and above the same 50 people signing up just because they got an email from Dani requesting that they do so.

Case 3: If a prolific member of the forum was given a Foffa bike and someone who'd been around for a few months and posted in other threads with some intelligence had purchased a Foffa bike I would accept the opinion of the latetr over and above the former.