Hello:

I am interested in knowing if there is packaged software available to
webmasters looking to allow their surfers the ability to write reviews
and rate products found on ones site...similar to what Amazon.com
offers.  I realize that the big boys all have this custom coded...but
does anything of any quality exist for the little guys?

I'm looking for more than one option...if they exist.

Cheers

EA

Hello jeckyll-ga

Yes there are some off the shelf scripts out there that perform a
similar function for the small guys. Because they are off the shelf,
they are cheaper than a bespoke solution. Many offer some degree of
customization to enable it to integrate with the look and feel of your
site.

Not all may be that easy to implement, but a webmaster should be able
to install them without too much trouble assuming some technical
knowledge of servers and basic scripting rules.

Here are some I found:
"Magpie Customer Review Manager " by Random Mouse! 
from $59.95 for a 1 year license or $180.00 full purchase MySQL
version also available.
"Magpie is a web-based review management system which allows website
visitors to review and rate products, services, or other items/topics
of your choice. If you've seen the customer comments area at
Amazon.com™, then you already know what Magpie is all about. The
program can be coupled to the user databases of Ikonboard, Links SQL,
phpBB, PHP-Nuke, Post-Nuke Ultimate Bulletin Board, VBulletin,
WWWThreads, and others"
http://www.randommouse.com/magpie/

Bandley3 script collection for $7.99
http://bandley3.com/index.shtml
the "5 Star Review script" allows reviews and ratings
http://bandley3.com/review.shtml

AardvarkPublisher by BuildACommunity.com at $499
"AardvarkPublisher is a powerful content management tool and site
organizer. You can support user-submitted articles, reviews,
editorials or just about any other type of information."
http://buildacommunity.com/aardvarkpublisher

User Review Engine by Multimedian.com license is $99, $50 for
installation
"this script allows the user to have his own user review website (for
movie reviews, technology reviews, book reviews, etc...). The script
organizes all the reviews, lets the administrator accept or reject
reviews, calculates the average review score."
http://multimedian.com/scripts

Amaz'n Book Club by Onlinearts (this script looks to be free!)
"My Amaz'n Book Club is script that allows individuals to share their
favorite books with others. It allows visitors to your site to submit
book reviews and recommendations. Visitors can also view the reviews
and recommendations submitted by others. It includes the ability for a
site administrator approve/modify/delete reviews via a web-based
interface."
http://onlinearts.net/showroom/books

Search Strategy:
The CGI Directory
http://cgidir.com/search.cgi?query=reviews
The CGI Resource Index
http://www.cgi-resources.com
Perlarchive
http://perlarchive.com/guide/search.cgi?query=reviews
Free Perl Code
http://www.freeperlcode.com/cgi-bin/dir/search.cgi?query=reviews

I hope that helps,
kind regards
lot-ga

Most helpful indeed!  Cheers.