How to Avoid Scams and Shoddy Wares on Amazon

With just a few keystrokes, you can find almost anything on Amazon and purchase it with a single click. It’s a wonderbox of capitalism. Once, I typed “yak” for no specific reason, and Amazon’s algorithms suggested “yak cheese Himalayan dog chews.” I hit Enter and found pages filled with hundreds of these chews, all-natural and long-lasting treats for dogs. Amazon had over 300 Himalayan dog chews from various companies, many of which I had never heard of, sold by numerous different sellers.

I don’t need yak cheese dog chews right now. But if I did, I would feel overwhelmed. Which brands are high quality? Which listings are legitimate? What’s a good price to pay? Are these yak cheese dog chews actually a good deal on Amazon Prime Day or just a fake deal?

Almost anyone can sell items on Amazon in five easy steps. The site hosts millions of sellers, making it more like eBay than Target. However, Amazon doesn’t thoroughly vet everything on its virtual shelves, meaning you have to be careful about what you buy. The site has known issues with fake reviews and counterfeit items, and a growing number of Chinese sellers have flooded the site with strange new off-brand products in recent years. Amazon has a good return policy on its own items, but third-party sellers don’t have to follow those standards, and many don’t.

Here are a few tips to help you make smarter buying decisions on Amazon and avoid potential headaches.

Buy Directly From Bezos

Whenever possible, buy items directly from Amazon. Amazon monitors its own inventory better than it does third-party sellers. Items it sells directly are more likely to arrive as advertised and qualify for free two-day Prime shipping. Returns are usually painless; I’ve received refunds for defective items without even having to return them.

When checking out a product, ensure the seller info says “Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.” This information is typically under the price and stock status or under the Add to Cart and Buy Now buttons. On the Amazon app, it’s also under those buttons.

To filter search results to only show items sold by Amazon.com, follow these steps:

1. Search for a particular item with the category set to “All.”
2. Ensure the correct Department is chosen.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the left rail and choose “Amazon.com” as your Seller.
4. If you don’t see “Amazon.com” as a seller, click “See More” to bring up a list of sellers and use CTRL+F (Command+F on Mac) to search for “Amazon.com.”

Avoid Fake Discounts

Some sellers abuse pricing power by having products that are always on “sale,” making it hard to know if you’re getting an actual bargain. Use CamelCamelCamel to check a product’s price history. Just paste the URL into the site, and it will show every price fluctuation in the past year. The Keepa extension for Chrome also adds a similar box to Amazon pages, showing price history directly on the site.

Don’t Trust Every Review

Amazon’s 5-star review system can be easily manipulated. If you’re looking at an expensive product from an unknown company or if there are thousands of positive reviews, do some sleuthing. Tools like Fakespot can help identify fake reviews. Simply plug in the Amazon URL, and it will provide a report. Alternatively, read the reviews yourself, focusing on two-, three-, and four-star reviews for a more balanced perspective.

Examine the Basic Stuff, Too

Be extra vigilant when buying from a third-party seller. Here are some tips:

• Check the manufacturer and product: Ensure the company name, product name, description, and images look legitimate. Google the manufacturer or use Google Shopping to verify authenticity.
• Click the seller’s name: Check the seller’s page for positive reviews and ensure their refunds policy matches Amazon’s.
• Look for “Fulfilled by Amazon”: This indicates the manufacturer warehouses its items at Amazon’s distribution centers, which can ensure smoother delivery and customer service.
• Check the full list of sellers: Click the Used & New (#) link under the Buy Now button to see all seller options. This allows you to filter by Prime shipping, free shipping, and review count.

A Few Final Tips

• Never complete a purchase off Amazon.com: This indicates something is wrong.
• Watch out for fake emails: Only click links if you know Amazon sent the email. Check Amazon’s notification center for legitimate messages.
• For help with returns or other issues: Check Amazon’s support site and recent orders page.

Do you have your own methods for making smart buying decisions on Amazon? Share your tips in the comments below.