I would take cash or gifts as payment for endorsement of a product, provided I had no problem with the product I was endorsing. Honestly, I don't feel that is is any different to what I do at work. I am supposed to promote products and sell products and services to people. The products that I like and use or see the value in, I have no problem 'selling' these. The products which I beleive are a waste of money, I don't actively try and promote, and if asked I will explain the product and maybe tell them about someone else I know who does like / use the prooduct, or simply tell them that I don't use that product and let them make up their own minds. I don't see how doing this for payment in a blog is any different to me doing it at work...

Would I be upfront and honest about it? Yes and no. If someone asked I would be honest, but I wouldn't nessecarily volunteer the information. I don't feel like this is any more or less 'dishonest' then any other kind of marketing. I can see why some people could feel like this might be unethical. But to me it isn't, and I am not really certain if I could explain why exactly, except to say I think that anyone who is 'listening' to someone they don't know personally, really should be doing so with a grain of salt - especially in regards to the internet. And if they are someone who knows me personally then they should feel free to ask me personally, or already know my veiw on things. But also because I know that even if I am paid I would be honest in my assessments. So for me I guess the unethical part would come in someone outright lying about what they are saying - and then how is that any different to any of these paid actors on TV (anyone watched these political ads lately and wondered if the actors actually agree with what they are saying? ).