[kirktrue]

I have not knowingly received any “bad“ purchases from Amazon. Having heard scary stories like these has put me off ordering things from there for sure. But the convenience is just too great for me to give it up.

Maybe I am just fortunate to have not had an issue, maybe the counterfeiters are very good, or maybe I am just clueless, or some combination of these.

I try to stick to only name brand items. If there is a product that looks compelling but is from a brand I have not heard of, I generally look at both their website and other reputable retailers which sell that same product.

I largely ignore the reviews. Not necessarily because they are scammy (which I’m sure they are) but because they are so largely subjective. Reviewers will often give a one-star rating for a product because shipping was slower than expected. Or a one-star because the product didn’t package a standard USB-A cable or didn’t include AA batteries. Or a one-star rating in protest something of the company or product itself. Many times it appears the reviewer did not read the description closely enough, and accidentally purchased the wrong product, for which they blame the retailer.

I almost always purchase from Amazon.com as the seller vs. some Harry’s Tech Supply Store. Exceptions are made if there are thousands of Store reviews and a 95%+ positive rating.

In other cases, I will simply purchase the item from the official brand website, or some other retailer. It’s frustrating that Amazon allows commingling of products from different suppliers and retailers in a common bin. It’s also frustrating that other retailers like Walmart and target seem to have followed suit.

[ChrisMarshallNY]

I've gotten a graymarket webcam (Chinese version 930c, when I ordered a 930e), when ordering from the "Logitech" store, on Amazon.

When I returned it, I stated that I'd better get a 930e as a replacement, but the vendor (not Logitech -quelle surprise) told me that I would get a 930c, so I cancelled the order, and got one directly from the Logitech site (It was a bit more expensive, but not crazy more).

When I reported it, Amazon rejected my (polite, detailed, and backed up with photographs) reports on the product page, and ignored my reports to them. I would not be surprised if the item is still being sold as a 930e (it's not), and as being sold by Logitech (it's not).

I did mention it to Logitech, but they basically told me that Amazon is an 800-lb gorilla, and that they weren't gonna raise a stink (not in exactly those words).

[oezi]

Luckily the exchange worked. Last time I had a fake on ebay they took my money, asked me to ship the product back and never refunded me. Ebay plays innocent and incapable to do anything.

[ChrisMarshallNY]

I won’t use eBay for exactly that reason. I have heard the same story, frequently.

Amazon’s used marketplace has similar issues, but Amazon enforces refunds. I once brought a typewriter that was used, but advertised as “like new.”

What I got was broken (shipped loose, in a cardboard box), and filthy (it literally looked like someone puked on the keyboard).

I did get a refund, but the vendor ghosted me. I had to exercise Amazon’s guaranteed refund. Once I started that, the vendor contacted me, and I was able to return the item (packed better than they did), and get a refund.

[Throwawayaerlei]

My father got scammed in much the same way years ago, bought an iPhone, WiFi worked but not the cellular radio, eBay sided with the seller.

Because Amazon's so bad as everyone is detailing here I have started buying much less expensive stuff on eBay where I'd only buy it on Amazon from a 3rd party seller that ships direct, things like books and CDs. Have had uniformly good experiences without paying as much to pass through to Amazon vs. eBay.

[ChrisMarshallNY]

I just checked. Yup. It’s still being sold as a 930e[0]. It does mention that it’s not being sold by Logitech, in very small text.

Note the ridiculously low price (it has dropped quite a bit, since my experience, last year). I suspect a number of folks are happy with the Chinese version. Caveat emptor. Lots of apps and drivers can’t figure out what the camera is, and forget firmware or driver updates; let alone support.

To be fair, a couple of the 1-star comments are being listed at the top, warning of the scam, but the item has a couple of thousand “five-star” reviews.

[0] https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CES5A60

[influx]

I’m pretty sure I’ve gotten counterfeit polo and Levi clothes from Amazon, but they are good enough that it’s hard to tell other than they seemed to wear out faster.

[ch4s3]

You may have gotten legit goods from the lower end lines of those brands. Both are terrible about have multiple quality tiers with minimal differentiation in marketing. The difference will be price, quality, and QC even if they look similar.

[echelon]

Outlet mall retail.

The Nike or Polo clothing sold there isn't overstock. It's legitimately lower quality items sold at a cheaper price. They're intended to attract price conscious consumers that like the brand.

[ch4s3]

That’s basically what I was referring to, though they often have other similar lines.

[evancox100]

Yea the Levi sizing from Amazon is all over the map, right?