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Amazon Still Has a Counterfeit Problem

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Re: Amazon Still Has a Counterfeit Problem

#61

None of the examples given in this article are counterfeit. A counterfeit HP ink cartridge says it's HP, but it's not. None of these products claim to be HP. One bears no brand mark at all. One is "Ankink" brand. Same for Epson: we have "MYTONER" and "LEMERO". Amazon is a flea market trafficking in huge quantities of suspect goods. When I go on there I know to be on guard. But the article is wrong when it says that g…

>> None of these products claim to be HP.

HP would claim that the simple statement "compatible with HP xyz printer" makes it counterfeit, an improper use of HP trademarks in the statement. HP wants a world where anyone searching for "Ink for HP printer" will only ever see HP-licensed products.

Re: Amazon Still Has a Counterfeit Problem

#62
When I want something I look for a small company that sells it. Usually under a name like thing-supplies.com. they are similar prices but the small company is focused on that thing and so can tell you the differencs in what looks the same.

Re: Amazon Still Has a Counterfeit Problem

#63
My wife purchased a Stanley cup through Amazon and 5 months later its thermal regulation stopped working. She contacted Stanley about their lifetime warranty and after some back and forth with Stanley's rep, they determined that the item was counterfeit and because Amazon is not one of their authorized resellers there wasn't anything they would do. This was purchased through the "Stanley" store but was fulfilled by a third party and not Amazon directly, something my wife wasn't even aware Amazon did. The seller never responded to contact and Amazon refused to post the review complaining that it was counterfeit.

Re: Amazon Still Has a Counterfeit Problem

#64
post #32

Project Farm did a great episode on counterfeit tool batteries [1]. If I remember correctly, both ebay and Amazon were culprits, at least in the comments. I personally find that one of Amazon's main affronts is interfering with customer reviews in order to maintain artificially higher ratings. For example, my reviews stopped processing and would never post. This happened after leaving honest critical reviews. Note th…

You could get rufus to answer questions about python code though!

Re: Amazon Still Has a Counterfeit Problem

#65

AMA, I led the eng team that built Project Zero (named in the article) and also designed or helped design most of Amazon's automated detection systems for Brands. Disclaimer: I haven't worked at Amazon for 3 years - my info is likely stale.

Did that Transparency thing with the code stickers and the verification app ever make an appreciable difference?

Re: Amazon Still Has a Counterfeit Problem

#66
post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I looked into the fake issues while looking for Mitutoyo tools for our friends kid that started first year engineering. This is difficult as the counterfeits look almost identical. 1. went to Mitutoyo website to get list of authorized sellers 2. surprised Amazon itself is on the list 3. Purchased a number of authentic Mitutoyo calipers and micrometers from Amazon itself 4. Ran down Clough42 list of 17 signs to double…

As clough say, if you can accept the counterfiet why not but the shars brand instead for less and no wondering

I assure you my valuation assessment is as follows:

(fixed cost + maintenance cost)/(frequency of use) = actual cost

If the frequency of use is high, the retail cost between high-end and mid-ranged brands is negligible. i.e. not worth the hassle to mess around with QA on something unknown.

I always bought the kids Starrett or Mitutoyo stuff with the NIST certs. As wasting 1 hour of their time costs more than the high-end equipment.

It is kind of a tradition, but I'm sure there are more appropriate options for folks in different situations. =3

Re: Amazon Still Has a Counterfeit Problem

#67

None of the examples given in this article are counterfeit. A counterfeit HP ink cartridge says it's HP, but it's not. None of these products claim to be HP. One bears no brand mark at all. One is "Ankink" brand. Same for Epson: we have "MYTONER" and "LEMERO". Amazon is a flea market trafficking in huge quantities of suspect goods. When I go on there I know to be on guard. But the article is wrong when it says that g…

[deleted]

Re: Amazon Still Has a Counterfeit Problem

#69

My wife purchased a Stanley cup through Amazon and 5 months later its thermal regulation stopped working. She contacted Stanley about their lifetime warranty and after some back and forth with Stanley's rep, they determined that the item was counterfeit and because Amazon is not one of their authorized resellers there wasn't anything they would do. This was purchased through the "Stanley" store but was fulfilled by a…

> refused to post the review complaining that it was counterfeit

That sounds like a legal liability for them, as in "exhibit D demonstrates the defendant knowingly kept a fraudulent listing available for purchase" /ianal

Re: Amazon Still Has a Counterfeit Problem

#70

My wife purchased a Stanley cup through Amazon and 5 months later its thermal regulation stopped working. She contacted Stanley about their lifetime warranty and after some back and forth with Stanley's rep, they determined that the item was counterfeit and because Amazon is not one of their authorized resellers there wasn't anything they would do. This was purchased through the "Stanley" store but was fulfilled by a…

The hypocrisy is apparent when you notice that the pretty much the only brand of products that miraculously does not have third party resellers listed (and hence escapes third party inventory commingling contamination issues) is Amazon Basics. [1]

[1] Only "Amazon Resale" third party resellers are shown https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-8-Piece-Non-Stick-Kitche...

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