Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
Divorce, Maintenance, Personal Injury, Medical Negligence
A lot of the sales on Amazon are for much smaller companies, including individuals, that sell a variety of products via Amazon. These small sellers compete with each other and some instances Amazon itself with the products they sell. In the past, a lot of these companies have gamed the system by giving free products or even recruiting shoppers on Facebook and then paying them via PayPal in order to unfairly get themselves good reviews. They obviously don’t have the situation of doing Road Accident Fund work where the vast majority of attorneys tout and good reviews, which our firm has hundreds of, don’t really count that much because most clients are touted. That is of course against the rules of the Legal Practice Council, but that is a topic for another blog.
Amazon has now taken action against fake and paid reviews and the result is that apparently over 50,000, mainly Chinese retail accounts, are no longer in the same position that they were on Amazon before. They are claiming discrimination against Chinese companies, but Amazon says that they are simply cracking down on fake reviews regardless of which country those companies tend to come from.
Worse, and it has not been proven who does this, companies that found themselves successfully selling on Amazon often find, as their sales start succeeding and they rise in the Amazon rating system, they suddenly run into a whole bunch of false and negative reviews presumably from competitors. That is something I am familiar with, because we’ve had that before, although limited amounts from Hello Peter and one or two Google reviews as well. In some cases we’ve had them removed as obviously being planted by competitors. I am also aware of at least one attorney firm where the Facebook reviews as to “how good they are” can be traced to staff who were employees of the firm at the time!
It is good to see that Amazon, who for many years seem to have ignored these fake reviews is finally cracking down on the fake reviews and those companies who have played that game will have to pay the price. That price is quite a tough one because Amazon does not reinstate a seller’s account very easily.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Thursday 02-Sep-21
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Comments
Luchell said:
on Friday 08-Oct-21 11:39 AM
Amazon is really becoming a thing here in SA. I don't usually order online but when I do I will definitely first look at the product reviews.
Ruby said:
on Friday 08-Oct-21 09:37 AM
This is great news! These days it's more obvious to spot bots and fake reviews online. I think twice before I actually purchasing the product.
thembi said:
on Thursday 07-Oct-21 04:26 PM
Am afraid to buy online every time when i buy online the is a mistake. Now i just go straight to the shop but not Amazon.
Melissa van Tellingen said:
on Thursday 07-Oct-21 12:36 PM
I see that more and more South Africans are now using Amazon. I haven't as yet and should probably give it a try. Glad to see that they are taking action against these fake reviews.
Marisce said:
on Thursday 07-Oct-21 12:11 PM
It is indeed good to see that a company such as Amazon has taken action, let’s hope this sets a trend!
Brumilde said:
on Thursday 07-Oct-21 11:39 AM
Amazon is really expanding, they just launched a new game New World. Its a really good MMO, and there were big problems when it launched, but we are the consumer saw quick action to fix bugs.
Jolene said:
on Thursday 07-Oct-21 11:13 AM
I always read the reviews before I buy something online. More companies should do the same and get rid of the fake reviews.
Kayla said:
on Thursday 07-Oct-21 11:11 AM
I have never ordered myself from Amazon, but am aware of people who order from them and are quite addicted to ordering from them. I know that they are alot more popular in the US and alot less costly on the pocket to order in the US than what it is in SA.
Bronwyn said:
on Thursday 07-Oct-21 11:08 AM
I never Ordered from Amazon,but I heard that they are really good and i also saw some Article on how they have now provided over 500 job openings for contact centre agents which is good thing.
Sandra said:
on Thursday 07-Oct-21 11:01 AM
I rather like Amazon. They are expanding fast and is one of the most successful companies. It is good that they are cracking down on fake news.
Daniella said:
on Thursday 07-Oct-21 10:59 AM
I've never ordered from Amazon before - however I do prefer shopping online and product reviews are so important to know what you can expect when receiving the product. fake reviews are super unethical.
Sinead said:
on Wednesday 06-Oct-21 04:32 PM
I always see cool things on my FY page on TikTok of people reviewing Amazon products. I've never ordered anything from Amazon but I also make a point of checking reviews before ordering anything online.
Prishani said:
on Wednesday 06-Oct-21 03:56 PM
I have never ordered anything from Amazon before, I must admit that I rarely check online reviews- it is probably a good habit to have to check service delivery and event better to know that fake reviews are being dealt with.
Lucretia said:
on Thursday 30-Sep-21 01:16 PM
I must say, I am not really one to buy online because I do enjoy going to view the products for myself. But when I have bought on line, I have generally used Takealot. It is good to see reviews because it can definitely sway your choice so kudos to Amazon.
Angelique Jurgens said:
on Wednesday 29-Sep-21 12:26 PM
I was watching a documentary somewhere about Amazon and how there was a law suit against them because there were no policies in place to protect the public from the substantial product hazards presented by certain consumer products sold on amazon., and distributed by Amazon. So it is quite suprising that they are tackling the fake reviews. However in 2019, the Federal Trade Commission settled its first action against a marketer who used fake paid reviews to boost sales of its product on Amazon. I must say fake reviews are really annoying and a huge corporation such as Amazon is doing good by challenging the reviews as this can cause them to lose customers.
Chante said:
on Tuesday 28-Sep-21 08:59 AM
Thus far, I have not ordered anything from Amazon but I don't think that a popular online internet-based enterprise that sells books, music, movies, housewares, electronics, toys, and many other goods would sell products that are not up to standard.
Claudia B said:
on Wednesday 15-Sep-21 12:57 PM
I have order a few things from Amazon before, always happy. Some people would rather buy online than go to the shops.
Danielle said:
on Tuesday 14-Sep-21 09:03 AM
I don’t know much about Amazon and Online shopping.
I am very old school and prefer to go in to the shops to see what I’m buying.
Covid has defiantly increased the online shopping sales but I stick to my way.
Brenda Strydom said:
on Friday 10-Sep-21 07:15 AM
I like to Order online but you have to be carful when you do because not everything you order is what you get at the end of the day.
Dasanya Naicker said:
on Thursday 09-Sep-21 09:40 AM
The online consumer market is scary as you can never be 100% sure that you are actually getting what you pay for. Further, with all the fake information spread online, it is difficult for the smaller companies to succeed as I am sure many consumers have become guarded as to what they read and/or buy online.
fikile said:
on Wednesday 08-Sep-21 03:10 PM
This is why am afraid of buying things on line, if doesn't come with a wrong color, it comes in a wrong size or worse it arrives torn.
Helen said:
on Wednesday 08-Sep-21 12:03 PM
We must be very careful with what we read today on the internet. So my fake information and fake web sites asking you to invest, buy or even earn money.
I am personally try to be very careful with ordering anything online and I have never had experience ordering from Amazon.
I am extremely happy to read about Amazon's concerns and that something will be done about fake internet work.
Jessica said:
on Wednesday 08-Sep-21 08:35 AM
So funny thing, last week I was watching the news and this lady says she is busy investigating Amazon, she said that she has been on their page many times, but most just to browse the store, then bought one or two things. She asked them for their paper work on her, they didn't really want to release it, but eventually they did and they had 15 000 pages on her, they knew what she liked and those things would show. They even claim that Amazon will know if a woman is pregnant before they even do as they study them and what they like and a small change etc. That is actually very scary.
Lauren said:
on Wednesday 08-Sep-21 08:10 AM
I think it is great that Amazon is taking action against fake reviews. As online shoppers reviews are a big part of what we rely on before purchasing something. This is a great initiative to protect your client base.
Ashleigh said:
on Wednesday 08-Sep-21 07:56 AM
I dont even know much about Amazon and do not utilize them at all. Everyone is trying to fight for business and it doesn't ever matter at what cost and how it affects the other business. You can pick up in reviews that some are just unrealistic and ignore the review. Its really sad and I am happy to hear Amazon is attempting to iron the issue out.
Franzelle Ekron said:
on Wednesday 08-Sep-21 07:44 AM
I've never bought a single thing from amazon. I am very worried about loading my personal info onto these kind of sites
Alexis said:
on Tuesday 07-Sep-21 03:59 PM
I have never used Amazon and nor do I know of any person that has in order to have a valid opinion. It is good though that they are taking steps
Roxanne said:
on Monday 06-Sep-21 04:43 PM
I've never used the reviews of a product to base my decision on as what you might like, i might in turn hate so i just buy what i like.
Ziyanda said:
on Friday 03-Sep-21 03:05 PM
This just shows how far people are willing to go to make more money. Hopefully their punishment will teach them to play fair.
Megan said:
on Thursday 02-Sep-21 03:25 PM
Yeah someone I know ordered from Amazon and it never came, apparently there complaints department is good because he was refunded shortly after. I think we all appreciate when there are reviews on websites so it is sad when they're fake, glad this is being attended to.
Nikita said:
on Thursday 02-Sep-21 01:47 PM
I always read the reviews before purchasing something online but I try to use common sense when doing so. Sometimes you can see when it is a fake review revving the product
Henrietta said:
on Thursday 02-Sep-21 10:16 AM
I'm not one to buy online generally, Takealot, Checkers 60sec and Dischem has been the only online shops I've tried and trust and doesn't have a problem with. What these companies are doing is fraud and I'm glad that Amazon is looking into this. We all tend to look at a review before doing/reading/going somewhere and false reviews are not fair to the public
Victoria Dougans said:
on Thursday 02-Sep-21 09:19 AM
That is so wrong to pay for fake reviews just too get people to buy from you. I haven't bought anything off Amazon before and not planning too. When you read reviews on a place or product you would want it to be correct.
Bianca Niemann said:
on Thursday 02-Sep-21 09:03 AM
I have never bough anything from the Amazon website, however, I think the steps they are taking is long overdue. Small companies should not need to suffer from bitter competitors posting fake reviews
Clare said:
on Thursday 02-Sep-21 08:41 AM
I am not one to buy off of Amazon, I am very worried about loading my personal info onto these kind of sites. I do agree with Zindy though, it does boil down to facts. You can not post a comment on something that you don't really know much about. If you had an issue you should post actual facts like what Zonaika had to say, that is indeed a complaint that should be noted on the review. I like to check the reviews before I place my trust into something.
Zonaika said:
on Thursday 02-Sep-21 07:56 AM
I'm very disappointed in Amazon. Bought a Fossil watch that was very expensive and yet the watch isn't working and my booklet isn't stamped therefore I cant even take it Fossil itself for the life long warranty on the watch and cant return because it bought when my husband was in Saudi Arabia. We have to be back in Saudi Arabia to return it. Services to South Africa is bad and things never arrive. Might help small business in other countries but not really in South Africa. Ill actually neve support them again rather the local Business around me.
Zindy Kruger said:
on Thursday 02-Sep-21 07:50 AM
Its all boils down to facts. One cannot simply post a negative review without facts so those who have done so will no face the music - Good for them.
david said:
on Thursday 02-Sep-21 07:07 AM
i've never bought a single thing from amazon. i don't like them and i especially do not like bezos. i was especially glad about this when he went to the upper atmosphere, and thanked all the suckers for paying for it.
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
