Fake Reviews on Amazon (and other large retailers)
 

I heard on a podcast that 30% of Amazon reviews are fake, even if they have the "verified purchase" notation. People are getting refunds for posting a 5 star reviews as a hobby, using FB groups to find out what to buy and who to contact for a refund. Just in the course of my normal shopping, I was contacted by a 3rd party seller after leaving a 1 star review for an item. They offered to refund my purchase (and let me keep the item) if I changed my review to 5 stars. Here's an article about how to spot fake reviews.

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/spot-fak...t-buy-walmart/

Re: Fake Reviews on Amazon (and other large retailers)
 

It's so frustrating. I was looking at Boogie Board and Boogie Board-alternatives today, and so many of the knock-off reviews were obviously fake. I always check the 1 and 2 star reviews and then decide whether or not those complaints are relevant to me. I find them more useful than 5 star reviews on products that are likely to have a bunch of fake reviews (i.e.: anything other than books - but then again, even books, since many reviewers get review copies of books and then feel guilty leaving anything other than 5 star reviews).

DS1 spent a lot of time learning how to spot fake reviews with me when he was looking into buying a drone. It was quite eye-opening for him.

Re: Fake Reviews on Amazon (and other large retailers)
 

I always look at the 1 and 2 star reviews, they are the ones I find helpful.

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Fake Reviews on Amazon (and other large retailers)
 

I used to do not fake reviews in exchange for free or discounted products back when amazon allowed it. They stopped allowing it several years ago so anyone still doing it outside of the Amazon Vine programbis operating outside Amazon TOS Fraudulent reviews is a huge problem. Here is what I personally look for when evaluating reviews;

Look at the dates on the reviews. Did they all come in a very short period of time or several chunks of a couple of weeks time several months apart? If so, they are likely pushing their product out in batches in exchange for fake reviews.

A more common trick I’m seeing recently is that the reviews aren’t for the actual product on that listing. So they will get a bunch of 5 star reviews for say a facial steamer and then swap the listing out to list a more expensive electronic product that isn’t related at all. If you can’t tell what product the reviews are written about that’s fishy too.

Are the reviews specific and do they use fairly proper English? Or are they just like “OK, good”? [emoji23] A large number of reviews using broken English is suspect.

Click on a few reviewer’s names. Do they leave an abnormally large number of reviews in a short period of time? Are they all 5 star? If yes, don’t pay any attention to their review.

ETA you should report any seller asking for 5 stars or to change your review to Amazon.


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Re: Fake Reviews on Amazon (and other large retailers)
 

I did report them. :yes

It is so important to check a variety of reviews and actually READ them. If a product is a brand you've never heard of and it has nothing but 5 star reviews, that's a red flag, too. It's possible but unlikely. It's actually hard to find anything on Amazon, anymore, that doesn't have a 4-5 star average rating.

Items sold BY Amazon and not a 3rd party are much more likely to have legitimate reviews.

Walmart also has a lot of fake reviews.

Re: Fake Reviews on Amazon (and other large retailers)
 

I purchase a lot of my tunic tops off of Amazon. I always read the reviews to see the sizing they normally wear and the sizes that bought. They seem to be pretty accurate for now.

I have read reviews on a lot of other items for pets and appliances and the big reviews are popping up, but when you read the words, they do not match the item you are looking at purchasing. I usually pass on those.

I try to post reviews in an honest manner, but I do not review every item I purchase.

Re: Fake Reviews on Amazon (and other large retailers)
 

This is an important distinction that not everyone realizes. Just because something is Prime, it doesn’t mean it is sold BY Amazon. A huge percentage of Prime items are fulfilled by Amazon but actually sold by a third party seller who sends their stock to an Amazon warehouse for quick fulfillment.


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Re: Fake Reviews on Amazon (and other large retailers)
 

I'm pretty gullible. I mean I really am. So thanks for the info and link.

Re: Fake Reviews on Amazon (and other large retailers)
 

I noticed that questions are answered by sellers other than Amazon and wondered about it. I always read the questions and answers to see what real people say about whatever it is I think I want. If it's only the seller answering the questions and the reviews are all five stars, I think twice, because it makes me wonder if they are deleting bad reviews.

Re: Fake Reviews on Amazon (and other large retailers)
 

A seller can’t delete bad product reviews. They could ask amazon to IF the reviews aren’t about the product ie “fast shipping” but it would look bad to even ask. A good seller is more concerned with their seller feedback than a few bad reviews.


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Re: Fake Reviews on Amazon (and other large retailers)
 

I've started to notice fake reviews on FB since reading this thread. Someone will give a testimony about how great the Noom program is, but then not respond to any questions that are asked. There might be some true reviews where people actually do want to share positive feedback, but about 90% of the time the reviews seemed fake. Also, the fake reviews and responses from Noom seemed to end about the same time as if there was an advertising campaign that ended about a month ago. Fascinating.

Re: Fake Reviews on Amazon (and other large retailers)
 

I'm happy that I still see lots of negative reviews on Instagram. There have been a few products that looked good until I scrolled through the comments and found plenty of unsatisfied customers. I have bought a few items from Instagram ads and been happy with them. I just got FaceSilk makeup remover pads and I love them.