Don't Get Fooled: Your Guide to Spotting Fake Products on Amazon
Amazon has become the top spot for online shopping, with a wide range of products delivered straight to your door. But, in the age of counterfeits, it’s important to be mindful of where your products are coming from to avoid buying fake goods.
Over 50% of Amazon's Sales are Made by Third-Party Sellers
Unfortunately, dishonest brands have turned Amazon into a haven for counterfeit products. According to Marketplace, in 2017, 57 scammer accounts were reported every day. Counterfeiters tend to target clothing and accessories, shoes, and luxury brand handbags. However, fake product reviews, payment scams, and illegitimate sellers are also common issues that buyers should be wary of.
To Prevent A Negative Shopping Experience, It's Essential To Take Certain Precautions. Below Are Five Things To Keep In Mind:
1. The Prize Is Too Good To Be True
Consider a popular Canadian winter jacket that typically retails at a starting price of $699. If someone were to offer you the same jacket for just $199 on the street, you would immediately recognize it as a fake. The same holds true for online shopping – don’t be lured in by unbelievable deals. If the offer price is significantly lower than what you’d find on the official website, it’s likely a scam. It’s best to steer clear of such offers.
2. Familiarize Yourself With The Product Seller
When it comes to third parties, be careful! Stay away from sellers with low amounts of feedback, low ratings, high shipping rates and long delivery periods. If the product shows that it “ships from and sold by the seller”, the product is sold and shipped directly to you from the third party-seller, just like on eBay. Most counterfeit products are sold that way.
However, if it shows that the product is “shipped and sold by Amazon”, then it comes directly from Amazon’s warehouse and is most likely to be original.
3. Check Out Reviews Of The Seller
Sellers’ reviews are easy to fake! All you need is to buy the items from yourself, pay it to yourself with your own money, and leave a positive feedback using different accounts. Look if the seller has positive reviews on other items they sell, not only the one you have interest in, see if the same username is coming back on different items. If you are suspicious about the reviews, you can use FakeSpot.com, this site reviews the comments and will let you know if the reviews are fake or legitimate.
4. Opt For Secure Payment Methods
Choose a secure payment system like PayPal or Amazon checkout, and be cautious of sellers who request a bank transfer as it may be a scam. Additionally, if a seller redirects you to another website for checkout, it’s a major red flag. Amazon is a one-stop-shop, and legitimate sellers should be able to process your payment within the same platform. If a seller attempts to redirect you to an external site, they may be attempting to steal your personal and credit card information.
5. Original Products
If you stumble upon a product with a brand name that’s similar to the original, it’s likely a fake. Do a quick research on the brand and seller before making a purchase. Some companies do offer “lite” versions of their high-end products, but if you can’t find any information on the suspicious brand, it’s best to assume it’s a counterfeit.
In Conclusion: Stay Safe And Avoid Fakes
Be sure to thoroughly research what you’re purchasing and who you’re buying it from before making an online purchase. And always complete the full order on the same website, using a secure payment method.
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