Recently, I nearly fell victim to two dodgy products on a popular e-commerce platform. This experience prompted me to share some shopping tips to help everyone stay sharp and avoid being fooled.
The Story
Product 1: Vision Improvement Essential Oil
While browsing other items, this oil claiming to improve eyesight popped up and caught my attention. The buyer photos looked pretty convincing, and there were over 100 glowing reviews, all claiming improved vision. The results seemed “natural” enough—not over-the-top—with most saying they’d regained 50 or 100 degrees of vision.
I was intrigued but decided to dig deeper. That’s when I noticed a major red flag: all 100+ reviews were posted on the same day! To make it worse, identical products from other sellers had exactly the same reviews and buyer photos. I couldn’t help but laugh—are these “buyers” paid actors on a mission to boost every shop? What kind of “loyal customers” would go to such lengths to buy the same product from multiple stores? Absolutely comical.
Product 2: Persimmon Leaf Anti-Blemish Pig Fat Cream
This product also magically appeared while I was browsing, accompanied by “natural-looking” user photos and tons of glowing reviews. But again, the reviews were suspiciously clustered on the same day. And just like the vision oil, the reviews and photos were copy-pasted across multiple stores.
I couldn’t help but wonder if these “buyers” were competing in some bizarre league of fake review champions—”most supportive fake customer of the year,” perhaps? Honestly, it was all too ridiculous.
Red Flags I Spotted
- Clustered Reviews: Despite having over 100 reviews, most were posted on the same day—a glaring red flag.
- Identical Content: Nearly every review mentioned the same experiences, with no negative or neutral feedback in sight.
- Genuine Criticism at the Bottom: Scrolling down to the bottom, I finally found a few honest voices warning others to avoid these shoddy products. They called out the poor quality and total lack of results.
My Decision
After careful consideration, I decided to pass on both products and reflect on my shopping habits. Minimalism isn’t about buying nothing—it’s about spending a bit more on quality, rather than wasting money on useless or subpar items.
This reflection reminded me of the book Goodbye, Things by Fumio Sasaki. Sasaki explores the philosophy of minimalism, showing how letting go of unnecessary clutter can lead to a more intentional and fulfilling life. His insights deeply resonate with my experience of choosing quality over quantity, even in online shopping.
In the end, while I dodged two scams, this ordeal reinforced the idea that online shopping is a battlefield—let your guard down, and you’ll get caught out.
By the way, those “user photos” were so hilariously fake that they looked like clips from a comedy sketch. If nothing else, they gave me a good laugh. The effort these “buyers” put into their performances deserves a standing ovation, but the products themselves? Absolute rubbish.
Lessons Learned and Tips
- Inspect Reviews Carefully: Pay close attention to the dates and check for repetitive content. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
- Look for Honest Criticism: Genuine reviews often lurk at the bottom of the page, where real users share their experiences.
- Shop Mindfully: Avoid impulse purchases. Take the time to compare and think things through.
- Compare Across Platforms: If something seems dodgy, check it out on other shopping sites to verify its authenticity.
Final Thoughts
Though this experience left me shaking my head, it’s also a reminder that spending a few extra minutes to investigate can save you a lot of grief later. Hopefully, these tips will help you dodge the traps and save some cash!
If you’re interested in exploring the minimalist mindset further, I highly recommend Fumio Sasaki’s Goodbye, Things. It’s a great read that offers practical advice and inspiring stories for anyone looking to declutter their life—physically and mentally.
Your post is both insightful and practical! I really appreciate how you broke down common online shopping traps and provided tips to avoid them. The reminder to always check reviews and verify the legitimacy of a website is crucial, especially with so many scams nowadays. I was curious, have you come across any specific red flags or warning signs that might not be as obvious to an average shopper? It would be great to hear more about your personal experiences with that!
Thank you so much for enjoying my post—I really appreciate your kind words! To answer your question, I usually stick to shopping on well-known websites. However, there was one time I ordered sunglasses from an unknown site, and what I received was shockingly poor quality. In situations like that, don’t hesitate—return it immediately! Some people might avoid the hassle or feel embarrassed, but honestly, the ones who should be embarrassed are the sellers, not you. Send it back and teach them a lesson! 💪😄
Wow, this post really hits home! I’ve had similar experiences with dodgy products online, and your breakdown of red flags is spot on. The part about clustered reviews and identical content made me laugh because I’ve seen it so many times—it’s like these “reviewers” aren’t even trying to be subtle!
Your advice to scroll to the bottom for honest criticism is a game-changer. I’ve found some lifesaving warnings buried under heaps of fake praise. It’s amazing how much effort these sellers put into faking reviews instead of improving their products.
Also, I love how you tied this experience to minimalism. The connection to Goodbye, Things really resonated with me. It’s so true—focusing on quality over quantity not only saves money but also reduces stress and clutter in life. Definitely adding that book to my reading list!
Thanks for sharing this! Your tips are a great reminder to shop smarter and be more mindful about what we buy. Keep up the great content—it’s super relatable and helpful!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment—I’m thrilled that the post resonated with you! It’s so true about those suspiciously identical reviews—they can be hilariously bad if they weren’t so misleading! I’m glad you found the tip about scrolling for honest criticism helpful; it’s saved me from a few disasters too.
And yes, tying these experiences to minimalism really does put things into perspective, doesn’t it? I’m sure you’ll love Goodbye, Things—it’s such an eye-opener. Fumio Sasaki is my idol, and his work inspired me to start my minimalist journey. Thank you again for your encouragement—it really motivates me! Stay mindful and shop smart! 😊✨