If you’re a frequent Amazon shopper, then you’ve probably come across many products that look exactly the same and have almost the same features. From counterfeit handbags to eyeglasses, there is no place hidden from these fakes, they are at every nook and corner of the e-commerce giant. And it is no wonder that Amazon would be plagued by such fake listings. But we are here to help. These tips can take you a long way ahead while dealing with counterfeit products on Amazon(or any other e-commerce platform for that matter).
Tips for spotting fake products on Amazon
1. Learn the seller
Amazon is filled with product listings, that just feature a product image and its description which makes it easier to scam people. Most counterfeit sellers won’t even have a real product to sell. They just post a picture and description of the product. And you must know whether the seller you are buying from belongs to such a category.
To start with you can look into other products the seller has listed on the platform. Check whether it aligns with the product you were looking for, the chances for a seller to list a cosmetic product and a mobile charger are slim. See if the product listing suits the buyer. Also, look at the reviews customers leave for each product. You can also search the name of the seller on Amazon to know their feedback score or search them on Google to find if there are any credible sources to which you can track them.
2. Check for customer reviews
Reading reviews is the most reliable way for one to trust the product they buy. It's always easy to verify a product by what others review. But it is not the same every time. Not every review posted there are true words. And you can spot the bogus ones too. Surf through the customer reviews and pay close attention to what they say. If they are overly praising the product and there are no reviews that appear to have a genuine criticism of it, then chances are they are fake. But don’t just jump to conclusions, check one or two reviewers in doubt, and see if they have left any other reviews for other products. If not, the product or reviewer in question might not be genuine. So keep a close eye on the reviewers, and don’t fall for the flattering words or the five-star reviews. Most counterfeiters aim to trap new customers by showing forged five-star ratings for their products.
3. Branding is the King
Another easy way to identify fake products on Amazon is to check for proper branding of products. If a product says “Brand New,” but the product packaging looks used and torn, then you’ve probably spotted a fake product on Amazon. If a product is sold for a premium price, but the packaging doesn’t even have a barcode or an Amazon.com sticker, then it’s a fake product. Many products on Amazon are sold using fake branding. The best part about branding is that it is a violation of Amazon’s policy, so if you see a product that’s not properly branded, report it immediately.
4. Ask Yourself, “Why Would Someone Buy This?”
Here’s another step you can take to identify fake products on Amazon. First, take a look at the product details and examine them, such as the price, the brand, the features, and the customer reviews of the product. Now, ask yourself why a person would buy this product. If you are a frequent Amazon shopper, you will know what the reviews of premium products and normal budget products will have. But if both the reviews look the same then you have a good chance of spotting a fake product.
5. Look Out for Unwarranted Claims
Amazon’s stringent policies are aimed at keeping the platform absolutely secure for shoppers. However, some sellers on Amazon try to exaggerate the features of the products to make them seem like the best ones in the market. These sellers may use unwarranted claims in their listings, such as “best product in the market,” “world’s best product,” “the only product like this,” and so on. If you spot such claims on a product that doesn’t adhere to any kind of marketing strategy and is just an exaggeration of the product’s features, then it’s best to avoid buying them.
6. Look at the product, Closely!
The above steps may be a little hard to keep up with if you are new to the platform. But before going to other lengths, you should first pay close attention to the product image and the description. Look at the image and check
Whether they are of good quality
Does it hold a logo or name of a different brand?
Does it match every feature mentioned in the description
Is the description well written; are there problems with grammar, sentence structure, and spelling mistakes? Genuine brands and product listings will have proofread content that won’t have noticeable mistakes.
Do the reviews match the product description, are there differences between the images posted by the reviewer and the ones in the product listing?
These are instances of red flags buyers should immediately check before buying products through Amazon or any other e-commerce platform.
Brands Can Take Up The Fight!
Amazon is one of the most preferred online marketplaces for buying products. However, with so many fake products on Amazon, you might get fooled many times. But over the years they have implemented several measures to protect its customers and brands. They take ready legal action against any impersonation or scams.
That is exactly why brands also have to take part in the fight against counterfeiters. Brands must employ online brand protection solutions to safeguard their position in the market before it is too late.
This will ensure two major key factors:
- Customers are protected not just by the platform but also by the sellers, ensuring a lower chance of falling into a scam.
- Strengthening customer trust and securing the profits from losing to counterfeiters.
The primary solution is to equip a brand protection tool that covers the cyber space which can meet and go beyond industry standards. Truviss by Acviss can find IP infringements across cyberspace, be it social media impersonation, fake ads or offers online, fake websites or even product listings on any e-commerce platform.
Check out How to Remove a Counterfeit From Amazon?
But what about your physical distribution?
Counterfeiting and tampering have a high probability of happening during the distribution stage. Having a track-and-trace solution integrated into your supply chain is a necessity if you are planning to expand your business or cater to a larger audience. A solution like Origin can easily be implemented into the existing supply chain which increases efficiency, enhances visibility and strengthens the distribution channel.
If you desire to be the brand that wants to make a change, remember to get in touch with us. We are here to create a world that is safe for your brand to grow. Acviss has protected over 2 Billion products globally and we assure you that your brand is our priority.
