eBay Blocks Consumer Protection Warnings
Los Angeles, CA, June 11, 2014 - Over 90% of consumers look to e-commerce websites for good deals on nationally branded products. eBay® (EBAY) reaps billions in revenue from these consumers who place their confidence in this global giant, however, that confidence is often misplaced says The Counterfeit Report®, a popular consumer protection website providing a visual guide on identifying counterfeit products of over 250 global brands.
eBay has blocked consumer Counterfeit Product Alert® warnings published by The Counterfeit Report on various OTC drugs, electronics and fragrances. Serious problems and hazards may await unsuspecting consumers who unknowingly use these counterfeit products that are widely distributed over the internet and eBay. For months, the listings hindered and aggravated counterfeit product sellers on eBay.
eBay advised The Counterfeit Report that the listings infraction was being “outside the correct category” even though the listings were in categories specifically at the direction and authorized by eBay staffers. An eBay supervisor responded that while there was some confusion on behalf of eBay as to the correct listing category, she repeatedly defended eBay’s position stating;
“It is more important that products are in the correct eBay category, than to protect consumers from counterfeit products”
While the ingredients in counterfeit Novartis Lamisil OTC drug products purchased on eBay and featured on The Counterfeit Report are unknown, consumers would be alarmed to know that that counterfeit fragrances and cosmetics have been found to contain hazardous ingredients including arsenic, beryllium, DEHP (a plasticizer with health risks) and cadmium (known carcinogens), urine and antifreeze, along with high levels of aluminum and dangerous levels of bacteria. Several supervisors and an eBay manager acknowledged the dangers in the fake OTC drugs and fragrances profiled in the Counterfeit Product Alerts, yet passed on taking corrective action.
eBay has policies prohibiting counterfeit products, but manufacturers and industry experts complain that not enough is done to curb sales of counterfeit goods, and the counterfeit sales continue. Feedback on the eBay website is of little help. Counterfeit peddlers often go undetected, change their account or simply offer refunds to un-satisfied buyers, keeping a positive reputation and re-selling the fake product. eBay removed a negative counterfeit feedback comment from The Counterfeit Report for refusing to return the counterfeit product to the dishonest seller. Therefore, it’s buyer beware.
Consumers looking for a bargain are handing over good money for bad products at near retail prices believing they are purchasing the real thing. Counterfeit products are very deceptive and consumers often unknowingly purchase hazardous or deadly products. It's the consumer who ultimately gets hurt.
Website: www.TheCounterfeitReport.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Counterfeit-Report/131568053660579
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