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by ctvo 2961 days ago
The only place on the internet I read about Amazon's supposed counterfeit problem is on HackerNews.

I buy everything on Amazon, and I've never had this problem. Do you have any data to back up this claim?

4 comments

Well, “I’ve never had this problem” doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

From a quick search (says “Apple Computer”, but tell me if that’s really made by Apple or not): https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0787CFNRQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=...

I never said it didn’t exist. I asked for data. In a marketplace as large as Amazon’s finding a single example isn’t indicative of a wide spread problem.
Ok, here’s what you do. Search for any brand name product like Apple, Prada, Armani, Gucci, etc. and check out the results.

Another example from another quick search: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B075CTVSVB/ref=mp_s_a_1_12?ie...

You won't have a problem if you buy "big-ticket" (I'm using this word incorrectly, but hopefully you get what I mean. Normal consumer goods(?).)

If you buy something used, or something with a lot of knockoffs (Xiaomi) or old tech (GameCube Controllers) there is a chance you will get a counterfeit.

I switched to buying all that stuff from eBay and it's much better. Untrusted-by-default makes eBay a very healthy marketplace to buy and sell in.

I said the same thing a year ago. I didn't believe Amazon had counterfeit products, I'd never had one, I could tell fake from real, everyone is just buying sketchy shit and should know better. I didn't believe it one bit.

Then within the last year I've started receiving probably one out of five products being very blatant fakes. I only order Prime items and only sold from the manufacturer and only brand name, but I still get counterfeit items. It's actually driven me back to retail stores for items where I 100% need to get the real thing.

I think people are posting based on their personal experience I got fake macbook Pro charger (sold and fulfilled by Amazon) 2 times out of 5 purchases so now just buy directly from apple when I need any Apple accessories.