Amazon's Fake Cologne: What You Need To Know

Amazon has been accused of selling fake fragrances, including cologne, on its platform. The issue has been raised by several customers who claim to have received counterfeit products that do not match the authentic version in terms of smell, longevity, and packaging. Amazon allows third-party sellers to list their products on its platform, and it has been suggested that these sellers may be the source of the fake fragrances.

Some customers have reported receiving fake cologne even when ordering from Amazon directly and not a third-party seller. However, others have shared positive experiences, stating that they received genuine products when buying directly from Amazon.

To avoid receiving a counterfeit product, some commenters recommend only purchasing fragrances sold and shipped by Amazon LLC, which will have the Prime logo next to the product name and shipped and sold by Amazon in the product description.

Amazon's commingled inventory means you may not get the product you ordered

Amazon's commingled inventory system is designed to improve efficiency and reduce customer shipping times. In this system, products from different sellers are mixed in Amazon's warehouses, regardless of who the original seller was. This means that if multiple sellers offer the same product, Amazon may ship a product from a different seller than the one the customer purchased from.

For example, if you order a YSL perfume sold by YSL and shipped by Amazon, you could receive a knockoff sold by another seller and shipped by Amazon. This is because, in the commingled inventory system, Amazon assigns each product a generic barcode known as an ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number). This barcode is used to identify the product itself rather than the seller. When a customer places an order, Amazon's system scans the ASIN barcode to determine which product should be shipped to the customer.

While this system has benefits for Amazon and its customers, it can have drawbacks for FBA sellers and buyers. One of the biggest concerns is the risk of counterfeit products. Since products from different sellers are mixed, customers could receive a counterfeit product from a seller other than the one they purchased from. This can damage the reputation of sellers who have worked hard to build a reputable brand and maintain quality control.

Another issue is the difficulty in tracking inventory. It can be challenging to determine which seller's products are being sold and how much inventory is left, leading to potential overselling and canceled orders.

For buyers, the risk of receiving counterfeit products is a significant concern. Many customers have reported receiving fake fragrances and beauty products from Amazon. In some cases, these counterfeit products have been sold by third-party sellers, while others have been shipped directly by Amazon. Amazon's policy of not accepting refunds on fragrances has further frustrated customers who have received fake products.

To avoid receiving counterfeit products, buyers are advised to purchase from reputable department stores, the perfume brand's website, or drugstores that sell older inventory at a slight discount. Buyers can also look for red flags, such as suspicious pricing, tampered packaging, or missing brand identification, to help identify potential counterfeit products.

Amazon's customer service is poor and it's hard to get a refund

Amazon has been accused of selling fake cologne and perfume, with customers reporting receiving counterfeit fragrances that smell cheap, like imitation oil, or like kerosene. Some customers have also reported receiving used bottles that have been refilled with "garbage water".

While Amazon does offer refunds and replacements for faulty items, customers have complained that it is difficult to obtain a refund for fake fragrances, as they cannot be returned due to safety concerns. In some cases, customers have been able to receive refunds by contacting Amazon's customer service and reporting the issue as "counterfeit", while others have had to dispute the charge with their bank.

• Sign in to your Amazon account.
• Select "Problem with Order".
• Select your specific problem from the list provided.
• Select "Request Refund".
• Enter your comments in the text box provided, detailing the issue with the item.

It can take up to one week for Amazon to review refund requests, and they will notify you of their decision via email. If your initial request is denied, you can try calling Amazon's customer service number and speaking to a different representative, as some customers have reported success with this method.

To avoid issues with counterfeit fragrances, it is recommended to only purchase perfumes and colognes that are sold directly by Amazon and to avoid third-party sellers. Additionally, if the price of a fragrance is significantly cheaper than the manufacturer's suggested retail price, it is likely a fake.

While Amazon has taken some steps to address the issue of counterfeit products, such as allowing customers to report counterfeit items and providing refunds in some cases, customers continue to report receiving fake fragrances, indicating that the issue is still ongoing.

Amazon's reviews don't differentiate between purchases from Amazon and third-party sellers

Amazon's reviews do not differentiate between purchases made directly from Amazon and those from third-party sellers. This can make it challenging for buyers to discern the authenticity and quality of products sold by independent sellers on Amazon's platform.

When browsing the Amazon website or app, it's important to pay attention to whether a product is "Sold and Shipped by Amazon," "Sold by Third-Party, Fulfilled by Amazon," or "Sold and Shipped by Third-Party." This information can usually be found below the "Add to Cart" and "Buy Now" buttons.

While Amazon's "A-to-Z Guarantee" offers some protection for buyers, issues with third-party sellers are common. These include delayed shipping, difficulty with returns, and receiving counterfeit or inferior products.

To avoid potential problems, some buyers choose to only purchase items sold and shipped directly by Amazon. Others carefully scrutinize seller reviews and ratings before buying from third-party sellers. However, even this strategy may not always be effective, as some sellers use fake reviews to boost their ratings.

Ultimately, the lack of differentiation in reviews between Amazon and third-party sellers can make it challenging for buyers to make informed decisions. It is crucial for buyers to be vigilant and cautious when purchasing from third-party sellers on Amazon to minimize the risk of receiving fake or inferior products.

Amazon's third-party sellers are often scammers and Chinese knock-off sellers

Amazon's third-party sellers are a common source of scams and counterfeit products. While most sellers are legitimate, there are always some scammers in the mix. These third-party sellers list their products on Amazon for customers to find. When a customer places an order, they provide their payment information to Amazon, which then ensures the seller receives the money.

Scammers may profess to have a product, possibly at a deep discount, but they don't. They may even create a fake tracking number to make it seem like the product will be shipped. In other cases, they might sell you something that's not what you think it is. For example, you might pay full price for what you think is a new item, but it turns out to be refurbished, damaged, or broken.

Amazon does its best to remove scammers from its platform, but it's challenging to get rid of all of them. Knowing the signs of a scam and how to deal with them is critical when buying from third-party sellers. Some red flags to look out for include:

• A seller asking you to send money directly to them instead of through the Amazon platform
• Prices or shipping times that seem too good to be true
• Product descriptions or images that don't match the manufacturer's information
• Reluctance to share return or refund policies
• Suspicious, misspelled names or product descriptions

It's also important to check the seller's shop rating and product reviews. Tools like the Fakespot browser extension can help determine whether reviews are likely to be from real customers or fake.

In addition to scams, Amazon's third-party sellers often include Chinese knock-off sellers. This is especially prevalent for products that go "in" or "on" your body, such as perfumes, medicines, and vitamins. Amazon's inventory commingling practice further complicates the issue. Even if you order a product sold by a legitimate brand and shipped by Amazon, you could still receive a knockoff from a third-party seller shipped by Amazon.

Many customers have shared their experiences of receiving fake fragrances, skincare, and cosmetics from Amazon. The products are often of poor quality, with strong or unusual smells, incorrect packaging, and missing authenticity features. In some cases, customers have also reported receiving used bottles that have been refilled with counterfeit fragrances.

To avoid issues with counterfeit products, it's recommended to stick to products that are "Fulfilled by Amazon" or sold directly by Amazon. Additionally, Amazon has tools like the Brand Registry program, Transparency, Project Zero, and the Counterfeit Crimes Unit to help combat counterfeit products and protect customers.

Amazon intentionally allows fakes to motivate authentic brands to open Amazon stores

Amazon has been criticized for its relaxed approach to dealing with counterfeit products on its platform. The company has implemented measures to combat counterfeits, such as investing in technology and hiring staff to monitor and remove counterfeit listings. However, despite these efforts, counterfeit products remain an issue, with reports estimating that 10% to 60% of products sold on Amazon may be counterfeit.

Amazon's response to the issue of counterfeit goods serves a strategic purpose. By allowing fakes to persist on its platform, Amazon motivates authentic brands to open Amazon stores. This strategy is twofold: it encourages brands to take control of their product listings and increases the fees Amazon can charge.

Firstly, by allowing counterfeit products to proliferate, Amazon incentivizes authentic brands to establish a presence on its platform to protect their reputation and sales. Amazon's Brand Registry program enables businesses to register their trademarks and exert greater control over their product listings. This way, brands can ensure that customers receive genuine products and safeguard their reputation.

Secondly, Amazon can charge brands fees for the privilege of selling on its platform and for additional services. For example, Amazon's Transparency program, which allows brands to label each product with a unique code to verify authenticity, comes at an additional cost.

In summary, Amazon's strategy of allowing counterfeit products to persist is a deliberate move to motivate authentic brands to open Amazon stores. This strategy helps Amazon increase its revenue through fees and provides brands with a way to protect their reputation and sales by taking control of their product listings.

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