There's nothing like a network of people you actually know to find out whether something is shitty. Be it a company, a product, or a service - ask people you k

There's nothing like a network of people you actually know to find out whether something is shitty. Be it a company, a product, or a service - ask people you know personally. As a fallback, most online communities do have an "unrelated stuff" subforums or chats. Asking there lowers a chance of getting an answer from a marketer. I do sometimes get (and provide) good advice from a local gaming community. The key is to ask a community that is unrelated to what you are considering to buy, i.e. skip those groups which an unscrupulous company would swarm with fake advice.