Before you consider purchasing a product do you also read the bad reviews?

Absolutely. I always read the the top 10 of both good and bad reviews.

yes and sometimes I even have to buy the product despite the bad reviews.

Yes, I read review before purchasing a product.

No, I ignore reviews I am capable of making my own mind up. If I want an outside opinion I'll ask the ex husband. 

yes I do, if they are all complaining about the same issue then I might reconsider making a purchase

only when i have doubts.

Yes.  I also look at the ratio of good reviews to bad reviews.

There will always be some cranks that don't like the product because they can't figure out how to use it, or it's the wrong color or whatever.

But if it's like 95% like it and 5% don't, than I'll buy.  But if it's 70% like it and 30% don't, I will go through and read those negative reviews to find out why it is so high.

yes, indeed, i do

I do the same. Then I try to figure out if the good are more accurate than the bad or visa versa. But I don't base my buying something just on reviews.

Ron