Counterfeit Products Get "Amazon's Choice" Endorsement

Counterfeits, fraud and scams flood Amazon's marketplace.

September 26, 2018 - Los Angeles, CA – Amazon offers consumers a strong incentive and assurance that Amazon is "finding products to fit your needs" with its special "Amazon's Choice" product endorsement and banner in selected Amazon listings. Consumers believing the product is an authentic, quality item may be in for a big surprise -- they may be purchasing a counterfeit.

The Counterfeit Report, an award winning consumer advocate and industry watchdog, found multiple Amazon listings for counterfeit products featuring the "Amazon's Choice" banner. The item shown in the Amazon listing below is a counterfeit. The same item is found in dozens of Amazon listings, including items "Fulfilled by Amazon" which furthers the authenticity deception. Repeated complaints of registered trademark infringement by the brand owner are ignored, and the items remain.

Already plagued by a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) counterfeit investigation, allegations of being a cesspool of counterfeits, fraud, bribes to employees, fake product reviews and data hacking, Amazon is no longer a safe choice for consumers.

While Amazon is profiting, consumers are easily deceived with an inexhaustible flood of counterfeit and replica products, fraudulent sellers, and scams.

Amazon regularly falls back its claim; "We stand behind the products sold on our site with our A-to-z Guarantee." That could be true, but only if consumers were informed by Amazon (or knew) they received a counterfeit product. However, Amazon does not notify consumers they received a fake, even after notification by the brand owner.

With about 50% of U.S. e-commerce sales, Amazon has massive penetration into the consumer market with devastating effects on competitors, retailers and consumers. Amazon reports that over 100,000 brands are fighting counterfeit products on Amazon, and Amazon receives an infringement notice for 1 of every 100 customer page views. Hardly a testimonial to a safe consumer environment.

Through huge legal loopholes, and virtually immune to prosecution, IP laws and safety standards, Amazon continues to enable and facilitate criminal activity while profiting from counterfeit sales which destroy manufacturers, deceive consumers, and destroy jobs and public trust.

The major retailers (Kroger, Costco, Home Depot, Target, Lowes, Best Buy, etc.) offer consumers competitive online purchase options. Consumers have the choice to shop elsewhere.