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Week 11 [14-20.01.19] How Scammers in China Manipulate Amazon



The clip covers an interesting problem of manipulating Amazon’s algorithms responsible for promoting some products over their competitors’ offerings. Some of the tactics described are more than questionable from the ethical standpoint. It also shows that our choices may be massively impacted by other people’s will and their own incentives.





Questions:

1) When looking for a product online, do you just browse through lists of different items or do you employ some kind of a strategy?
2) Do you read other buyers’ reviews as part of your research prior to purchase?

3) Are there any products which you prefer to purchase in a conventional store? Why?

Comments

Unknown said…

The first step I do while shopping online is to check prices on other websites and also to check the opinions of these websites. Then I buy a product if I'm sure of its source.
Of course, if the ratings are poor, there is no way I can buy a given product without any doubts. I am always impressed with grades and sometimes I will read them out of pure curiosity.
One of the products I don't order online is food. I don't want to order it by courier because it would be the top of laziness.
Lukasz Mroczek said…
Firstly I do research to find which product will be best for me. Secondly I’m looking for it’s prices and distributors. Next thing I do is a research to find which distributor with low price will be the most reliable because I often want to have warranty and eventually some kind of support.
It’s obvious that I read other buyers reviews but If some product is more important for me or more expensive, I like to watch test on YouTube and then make a decision.
I prefer buying products in conventional store when they are really expensive.
Nataliya Tkach said…
1) When looking for a product online, do you just browse through lists of different items or do you employ some kind of a strategy?
I do like most people, I look at verified sites, I look at ratings and comments, then I search on other sites and compare prices.

2) Do you read other buyers’ reviews as part of your research prior to purchase?
Too lazy don't read reviews about the purchase, especially when it comes to clothing and size.

3) Are there any products which you prefer to purchase in a conventional store? Why?
It is best to buy shoes and clothes in stores, you can always look at the quality and fit it or not.
Unknown said…
First of all, I make a product research, compare it to the others, get to know all its benefits and drawbacks. Then I start comparing prices on different websites, guarantees, etc. When this step is done and I have a list of website for this particular product sorted by price, I start googling for websites’ reputation, googling “*website name* problems” is the best way that I know so far. When I filter out all unnecessary sites I start reading comments and feedbacks about the product on every single website. After all these steps are done I make a final decision to buy it or not.

As was mentioned above I do read other buyers’ reviews. I do understand that there are a lot of paid comments but I try to filter out such comments.

I prefer buying food, clothes and some expensive products in a conventional store.
Unknown said…
I do not shop online. During my life I have bought on the Internet several times, often on official sites with equipment. And only 2 times through Aliexpress. Therefore, I would say that I am looking for something specific, than just looking at all the goods. Of course, this is the most important thing when buying - reviews and ratings. I buy all the goods in the store. Firstly, because they are available and do not need to measure. If it's clothes, I can die right away. Something from the electronics I can watch and buy in the online store, but only on a trusted site where you can return the goods.
I think fake reviews are older than the internet itself - there always are and will be people trying to cheat the system. And of course I despise those black hat tricks to improve someone's position, but I doubt it will disappear anytime soon.
So when I'm buying a new product, I usually take into account some of the reviews might be fake. I usually try to buy from respected sellers and known companies, so I rarely have to compare some cheap Chinese product to some other cheap Chinese product. But I read reviews, both good and bad, to get a general feeling about the product I'm interested in. I also like to read reviews on independent web pages not created by internet users.
There are some things I wouldn't really buy on the internet. Boots, clothing in general, although I buy t-shirts on the internet sometimes. Food. But electronics, books, and entertainment I pretty much exclusively buy in e-shops.
Iman Masjedi said…
When I look for a specific product in online stores, I first come back to reputable sites that I've already had a successful buying experience, if that product was not there in online stores, I would go to other famous sites where they warranties the purchased product .
Another buyer's opinion is very important for the purchase of a product from the online store and I always review the opinions of others about that product. Along with other sites, I will review the opinions of others as well as the site and comments of users.
Yes, products like a car, boat or electric lawn mower.
Unknown said…
1) When looking for a product online, do you just browse through lists of different items or do you employ some kind of a strategy?
I am rather surfing provided content and I am not creating any strategy. However, I like to filter available products to the maximum, so I can narrow search results down to the minimum. Unless I am just exploring some online shop, the preceding rules apply.

2) Do you read other buyers’ reviews as part of your research prior to purchase?
Actually no, I am not suggesting on other buyer's reviews because they hardy ever match with my preferences. It also concerns movies or music ratings, so generally I collect information about interested thing from trusted friends with similar taste.

3) Are there any products which you prefer to purchase in a conventional store? Why?
Yes, I can name some things which I rather not to buy via online stores. I find shoes as a product, that should be tried before consumption. It is crucial to me to have comfortable shoes in which I could walk thousands miles. Another product I have in mind is a car; basically it is good to test anything you want to buy if the product is worth more than your multiple paychecks combined.
Unknown said…
As I am looking for something on the internet, it is something specific and then it simply filters, for example: price, or I choose new or used and the best options I choose then.
This is definitely an important part of the shopping, especially when I order something from abroad, because you never know what to send and it is difficult to return anything.
Yes, they are definitely pants, nowhere on the internet are perfect, pants are a kind of wardrobe, you have to wear them, unfortunately.
I rarely buy something online, and if I do, I do a hell of a research on the item, sellers, reviews, and so on and so on... Although you cannot tell that buying something in the conventional store renders you invincible for scamming. In fact, the amount of possible ways of robbing a person is even higher in the real world rather than on the internet.
Unknown said…
If it some type of product that I know I usually sort by producers and then sorting it by rating. If it’s unusual type for product for me I make small research to understand which producers have good quality and suitable for me cost. Next I watching products of listed producers on trusted online shops, reading opinions about that, deciding what product is the best for me and buying it.
If some product which I want by is expensive or fragile and can be damaged during transferring I prefer to buy it on regular shop.
1) When looking for a product online, do you just browse through lists of different items or do you employ some kind of a strategy?
- I try to stick to places that ship from Poland. If the price is too low, description may not directly say that the package will come from China.

2) Do you read other buyers’ reviews as part of your research prior to purchase?
- Yes, between lot of useless stuff, sometimes you can find a helpful review

3) Are there any products which you prefer to purchase in a conventional store? Why?
- Probably groceries. I never know what exactly I'm going to buy before going there
Piotr Ciesla said…
Usually when I want to buy something I google a lot read a lot of opinions, watch YouTube reviews. Then when I choose a product I try to find the most convenient option to by it. There are a couple of factors price, reviews of the company, and the shipping cost.
Well maby I’m old fashioned but when I want to by something expensive that I know it could break I prefer to by it in big franchise with local stores. Why? Just in case. So I can be sure that they will not vanish from earth surface and I will have a problem what to do with broker equipment
Bartosz Barnat said…
When I want to buy something that I don't know much about I tend to watch youtube reviews and read some opinions about this product. I think that I do what most people do when they are considering other options or just product is really expensive. The problem with online buying is that you dont really see how item looks like or what is its structure when seeing it online, you just see a image online and the item can be totally different. Most of a time when I see something that can be different in reality I just go find it in a store and check how it feels, looks an so on. When I think it's fine I''m watching if price online is less that in a shop if not I just buy it in a store just to be sure that an item is in a good shape.
Unknown said…
It depend of a product. If the product is not very expensive or if I’m looking for some clothes I just browse thought list of items and I collect this products to my list next I choosing the bests one. If I looking for more expensive product like laptop, I going trought videos/forums to compere this particular product with another.

Every time if I buy some technology, first I’m do the research on forums to get review of the product.

I think clothes, because I want to now how I’m feel in it.
Unknown said…
I have the same strategy as anyone else. When I for a product online I always know what I am looking for. I check several offers and compare which one is better. And of course, I read reviews for the product and check if the supplier has a good reputation.
Yes, I do read reviews before I buy anything to make sure I making a good choice.
I prefer buying food in regular conventional store rather than online.
It's not only problem of amazon, this is a problem all of internet stores. Some stores are buying good reviews and delete bad reviews, to attract more customers. I always looking for one product that I need, and I don't pay attention for other products. Yes, I always read reviews and not only at the site where I'm buying product. Also, I watch reviews at YouTube, where people tell about the product, pros and cons of this product. I buy clothes and shoes only at the conventional store, because there I can try it on and see if this thing fits me.
As a rule, I know what I want to buy in an online store. I often use aggregator site like ceneo.pl, read or watch several reviews of this product on different sites in USA, Europe and CIS too. Based on the budget, several candidates appear, I compare them and as a result I buy one of them at the site that offers the most reasonable price. I also have favorite online stores when I’m more willing to buy first. . I look at the delivery time, price and customer service.
Peter Clemenza said…
1) When looking for a product online, do you just browse through lists of different items
or do you employ some kind of a strategy?

When I want to buy something, something like coat, shoes.
I keep an eye on many products for couple of months to wait for best deal, I don't buy stuff only because they
are on sale


2) Do you read other buyers’ reviews as part of your research prior to purchase?
Yes, but there are some companies that I buy from and trust them.

3) Are there any products which you prefer to purchase in a conventional store? Why?
Shoes, coats, generally clothes. Sometimes I just go to the conventional store to try stuff and
than I buy them online
1)When looking for a product online, do you just browse through lists of different items or do you employ some kind of a strategy?
That actually depends. If I am buying some clothes usually I choose same shops I used to buy before. Sometimes I see something in a shop and then I order it online.
When it comes to electronic devices I always do a research about the product before I buy it.

2) Do you read other buyers’ reviews as part of your research prior to purchase?
Yes, I do. Sometimes I watch youtube reviews or check comparisons between certain products.
3) Are there any products which you prefer to purchase in a conventional store? Why?
I think clothes. Sometimes I buy them online but mostly I go to a convetional store. I prefer to just try it out and see how it looks on me.
Unknown said…
1. When I am looking for a product online I use service like ceneo to find the best price. Also I will prefer online stores which I already know.
2. I read other buyers reviews and it is quite important to me when I am making decision if buy something or not.
3. Don't really. I don't like wasting time on walking to big malls because crowds exhaust me.
Unknown said…
1) When looking for a product online, do you just browse through lists of different items or do you employ some kind of a strategy?
I'm always using filters when looking for something to buy. I always check many sites with the same products to check for best prizes and opinions :) And I have one rule of my own: I don't just scroll (for example) allegro just to find ANYTHING to buy, I buy only things that I need.

2) Do you read other buyers’ reviews as part of your research prior to purchase?
ALWAYS. It's really important and gives a lot of informations about the products and sellers. For example there is a known scammer: EXO-FACTORY. All of the internet is hating him cause he's a known scammer. His selling spiders, mantis and other living animals. He is sending other species of animals you bought, don't send them or sending it to you at the bad time which causes animal death.

3) Are there any products which you prefer to purchase in a conventional store? Why?
I like to buy clothes and shoes in conventional store, that's cause I like to try it on myself.
Same goes with animals which I have many (spiders, mantis), I can see the animal's health condition before buying :)
When I look for a product online I always compare prices and delivery time with other sites. I don't like to wait long for ordered item so when paying not much money more, can make it faster, I choose this option. I always read other buyers' reviews because it shows the reality of buying products at those sites. There are products like shoes or clothes that I prefer buying in a conventional store. The main reason of that it's possibility of checking if those things fit myself.
Szymon Gibalski said…
1) When looking for a product online, do you just browse through lists of different items or do you employ some kind of a strategy?
- I usually check if my favourite store has it if not I try to find the best price on ceneo.pl.
2) Do you read other buyers’ reviews as part of your research prior to purchase?
- No, I always read the review of the product from a source that I find reliable.
3) Are there any products which you prefer to purchase in a conventional store? Why?
- No, I but everything online because you can refund it if something is wrong with it.
When looking online for particular products i look for recognizable stores, reviews and exclusively for negative stories with said stores.
When it comes to online retailing if u cannot take bad reviews, stories and all tat comes out when i google it is positive i think of manipulation and scammery.

I never buy clothes and food online, i also like to take a look at at any presents i wish to order online in physical store first.
The first thing i do when searching for a product online, is to compare prices in online shops then I like to ready reviews about this particular product and search for better configuration/options. I always read other customers reviews to avoid scamm.
It is very helpfull and I watch for every negative opinion about seller especially on platforms like aliexpres, allegro etc.
When thinking about products that I'd like to buy face-to-face, first thing that comes to my mind is perfumes, with this delicate purchase its crucial to pick the one you like the most, which suits you. You cannot feel the fragrance from the internet ( at least not now :) )
Unknown said…
I actually like to order food online. It's a real time-saver and prevents me from picking up unnecessary products - which happens each time I visit a conventional store.
Unknown said…
I always buy shoes online. Once you know your size for given brand it rarely happens that the shoe does not fit, whereas online you have far greater choice in terms on all possible models and color combinations.
Unknown said…
It seems like you do a thorough research. I like the one with searching for potential problems related to given website.
Unknown said…
Have you yourself had any experiences with packages arriving from China without the seller explicitly mentioning such fact? How long did it take for the package to get to you?
Unknown said…
For me the strategy for online shopping also varies depending on particular type of the product. I never improvise with purchasing electronics, whereas I have no "system" for buying clothes.
Unknown said…
1) When looking for a product online, do you need to use some kind of strategy?
I would not call it a strategy but I always check different independent rankings for a given item in order to know that I am buying the best possible item in a given price range.
2) Do you read other buyers' reviews as part of your research prior to purchase?
Sometimes, but not that often. Unless "other buyers" will be treated as technological blogs, etc. then yes.
3) Are there any products that you need to buy in a conventional store? Why?
Ordinary food-related shopping. Although many stores offer such services, I still prefer to do it myself.
Unknown said…
I always overlook verifying customer service when making online shopping research. The difficulties in this area may diminish the positive experience related to the purchase or product.
Unknown said…
That EXO-FACTORY story sounds really terrible. Is there any action intending to bring the seller to any responsibility?
Unknown said…
I don't have any kind of strategy, or I just don't call it like that. I do research of top types of products I'm looking for, I select a few with the best opinions on the internet, and then I try to think which product suits me the most.

When I buy clothes of a new brand for the first time I go to the conventional store to make sure what sizes I have. Beside clothes, I buy everything online.
Unknown said…
I agree buying certain things in conventional stores when you can easily and comfortably get the online is simply a waste of time, which can be spent for more interesting stuff.
Unknown said…
When looking for a product online, I just browse through lists of different items.
Yes, I am reading other buyers review as a part of my research prior to purchase.
Definitely, groceries are kind of products I prefer to purchase in a conventional store because I want to be certain that these products are fresh.
Unknown said…
Usually I look on YouTube reviews of the product and comparison and some comments under the product I want to by may trigger further search. I make all the purchases online due to easy price comparison
Unknown said…
1. I'm using only confidential stores when it comes to safety. When I'm looking for something specific, I always use some filters to make things faster.
2. Yes, I do. It's always better to know other people opinions about something.
3. Shoes for sure. Many brands have their unique sizing, so it can be problematic.
Marcin Zając said…
1) When looking for a product online, do you just browse through lists of different items or do you employ some kind of a strategy?
When I'm looking a product online I watch youtube reviews and use some price comparison websites such as ceneo.

2) Do you read other buyers’ reviews as part of your research prior to purchase?
Yes, but I know that some of them can be not objective.

3) Are there any products which you prefer to purchase in a conventional store? Why?
Especially clothes like trousers or shoes.

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