And if they can't even pay you. . . odds are you might need to pay out of pocket for it.

    do you need to establish yourself before companies send you stuff to review?

      Are you asking me?

        I would imagine, if all else fails, you can get products from a store and review them after release.

        and yes

          It's case-by-case.

            ok

              The quality I meant would be his willingness to buy products out of pocket for review purposes while expecting nothing in return for it.

                nods

                  Personally, I understand the need to invest into something as a hobby or a gamble if I want to get anywhere, but that can be too much of a commitment for other people.

                    But how regularly can you buy "the newest product"?

                      And for that matter, how willing are you to rush through the product so you can get your review out in a timely fashion?

                        https://www.youtube.com/user/scottthewoz

                        https://www.youtube.com/user/mcfrosticles

                        These are two channels I follow, that do aftermarket reviews of old products, some of which are 5 or more years old.

                        But they're funded out-of-pocket or through a Patreon account.

                        They do get the benfit of hindsight that regularly reviewers don't have when they are reviewing pre- or at-market timing

                          Oof, thats called a currator.

                            Thats different than a journalist.

                              see what I mean about those qualities now?

                                I hear that a lot from film studies and film reviewers:

                                They never just can enjoy a film; they have to critically analyze it.

                                  Nah, the job of a journalist is ALOT more demanding than just that xD

                                    That's assuming you can even afford every product when you need to afford it.

                                      brb, walking a dog

                                        Some jouralist companies can get review copies for free if they are well established. . . i'm not so sure if anything recommended here would be "well established" though, but I wouldn't know one way or the other.