Amazon's Counterfeit Game
It is no secret that Amazon’s online purview is boundless. The sheer mass of consumers is staggering, as is the amount of merchandise available for purchase. But success on such a broad scale can also come with its share of headaches and frustrations. Especially when sellers must deal with counterfeit products. Here’s what typically happens. A counterfeiter, usually with the assistance of an international manufacturer, will monitor the most profitable items on Amazon — or close in on what’s trending — and make it their business to knock off the product. With similar product in hand the counterfeit seller will likely “hijack” the original product listing, the ASIN, and add their own counterfeit inventory. Not only is counterfeiting unlawful, it also poses a threat to a seller’s livelihood. The quality of product will not be on par with the original and the consumer is likely to point their finger in the wrong direction. Luckily, Amazon is vigilant — sometimes even litigious...