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Check who the seller is and who is shipping the product
One of the most important steps in avoiding counterfeits is to carefully investigate who is selling the product and who is handling its shipping. Amazon allows third-party sellers to use its platform, which unfortunately opens the door to dishonest practices. When buying a product, pay attention to the seller’s information. It’s safest to choose products that are both sold and shipped by Amazon. This minimizes the risk of buying a counterfeit.
It is also important to remember that there may be multiple vendors on the same product page. Changing the color, size, or other features of the product may result in choosing a different vendor. Therefore, always check who is actually responsible for selling the product you have chosen.
Products labeled "Prime" are not always safe
Many shoppers mistakenly believe that products marked as “Prime” are automatically guaranteed to be authentic by Amazon. In fact, the “Prime” logo only means that the product ships from an Amazon warehouse, not necessarily that it was sold by Amazon. With the “Fulfillment by Amazon” (FBA) program, third-party sellers can ship their products to Amazon warehouses, from where they are then shipped to customers. This means that the product may come from a third-party seller, not directly from Amazon.
Read reviews, but use common sense
Reviews from other users can be very helpful when making a purchase, but it’s worth approaching them with a pinch of skepticism. Not all reviews are authentic, and Amazon is known for removing reviews that may indicate fakes. That’s why it’s worth not only reading reviews directly on Amazon, but also checking reviews on independent websites. It’s also worth paying attention to whether the reviews are about both the product and the seller, as these can differ significantly.
Buy from reputable brands
The best way to avoid counterfeits is to buy products from reputable and well-known brands. Many well-known companies have their official stores on Amazon, which guarantees that the product you buy will be original. Although sometimes products sold by third-party sellers can be from the same brands, it is worth making sure that the seller has passed the appropriate verification.
Amazon has set up a special unit to combat counterfeits – the Counterfeit Crimes Unit – but it is up to us, the consumers, to be careful when shopping. Remember, common sense and thorough seller checks can significantly reduce the risk of buying a counterfeit.
