I got a Belkin Flip KVM switch replaced recently without any problem. Unfortunately the new one was no better than the old one, and its now in a box in the corner.

Option A) He embezzeled funds from the company to enact a fraud. He's toast. As is the accountancy team that gave the green light.

Option B) Deceict with the intention of finacial gain = fraud. Lock up the execs, fine company.

Lets guess if it goes to option (C): regulators / legal system does nothing really; maybe a wee token fine, but continue as you are.

If he truly did spend Belkin's money without Belkin's permission, that's a crime. It's embezzlement. I don't know what you all call it across the pond, but here in the US, we don't allow someone to mount their own private viral marketing initiative on their own time without authorization for just this sort of legal reason.

I bought a Belkin piece of equipment from a MicroCentre and it was DOA. I called the store and they told me to call Belkin. I called and left my phone number, later emailed and then snail-mailed all to no avail. I called their PR department and left my number--no one called back.

I then realized their guarantee meant absolutely nothing. I complained to the MicroCentre and they replaced the equipment with a non-Belkin item.

Belkin buying favorable reviews, seems exactly the kind of corrupt behavior in kind with ignoring responsibilities for faulty merchandise which was "unconditionally guaranteed."

Personally, I'm done with Belkin

He's referred to as Michael Bayard, not Mark...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3129/3202255933_a2a286d83e_b.jpg

the tip of an iceberg theory.

there are tons of companies who get hyped by fabboys for whatever reason and I find you cant believe half of it so I wouldnt be surprised if reviews were being bought or manufactured in fact I seem to recall there might be agencies who do that kind of thing, for a fee

the one exception of course is apple who charge their fanboys for the priviledge of buying and hyping their merchandise

I'll happily right positve reviews for all belkins kit.

If a, they pay me :)
or b, I get to keep the stuff :)

where do i sign up :p

They get a lot of stick on networking forums (mainly for their cheap routers).

Friends and I have found their stuff works -- albeit that driver support isn't quite up to the standards of better regarded brands.

You have to wonder a bit about how a "rogue" employee was paying punters without the knowledge of his superiors!