Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Amazon allows fraudulent product page after manual review

2025-01-28T10:27:34Z

KibouNoHikari: /* The CPSC on Hazardous Products Sold by Third-Party Sellers on Amazon.com */ - fixed small errors in wording

====Overview====
Sellers on Amazon are able to sell products, get reviews for them, change the listings so as to sell different items on them, but still keep the reviews for the different products that they previously sold under that listing. Amazon also continues to sell products that don't deliver on promises they are advertising.

These problems make it difficult for customers to make informed purchasing decisions based on reviews on Amazon's product listings.

====Removing Reviews (Including Verified Reviews)====
When Amazon did remove reviews, presumably to remove reviews for unrelated products, they also removed reviews from customers regarding the product currently being sold and whose reviews were marked as "Verified Purchase" by Amazon. The removal of legitimate reviews makes it more difficult for potential buyers to discern whether a product is fraudulent or not, since reviews of verified purchases of the product currently being listed, that could alert potential buyers to issues with the product, where also removed.

====Examples Of Such and Related Incidents====

======Portable Air Conditioner======
Amazon sells a portable air conditioner<ref>https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Conditioners-Control-Dehumidifier-Included/dp/B0CY85TKPF/</ref> for which the aforementioned removing of reviews took place. This listing contained for example reviews for digital picture frames, desks, shower heads and balloons, adding to the number of positive reviews displayed for the portable air conditioner being sold.

The listing in questions has been available on Amazon since at least July of 2024<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20240706183221/https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Conditioners-Control-Dehumidifier-Included/dp/B0CY85TKPF/</ref> and is currently still being listed in January 2025<ref>https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Conditioners-Control-Dehumidifier-Included/dp/B0CY85TKPF/</ref>.

======Electrical Fuses======
Electrical fuses are used to break an electrical circuit if too much electrical current is flowing through them. This is essential for preventing circuits from operating and failing in an unsafe manner.

Amazon has listings for many such fuses. When purchasing and testing highly rated fuses from three different buyers selling on Amazon<ref>https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08D3R1BRY

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0899WR671

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0895PV8S2</ref>, it was discovered<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B90_SNNbcoU</ref> that the fuses did not function the way that they were rated. Testing showed that the fuses only gave out after putting multiple times their rated current through them. They thereby did not break the connection the way they were advertised to do and could pose a safety risk if used in electrical circuits.

The fuses tested had and still have many reviews with a very high total rating. The fuses mentioned here, have been listed on Amazon since at least December of 2023 and are all still available for purchase. Due to the issues outlined above, a potential buyer relying on Amazon's reviews may have difficulties making an informed purchasing decision.

====Amazon on How They Keep Reviews Trustworthy and Useful====
Amazon themselves describes what they do to keep their reviews trustworthy and useful as follows:<blockquote>Our automated and human checks stop millions of suspicious reviews before customers ever see them. We also take legal action against groups that pay customers to post fake reviews. See our anti-manipulation policy.<ref>https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G8UYX7LALQC8V9KA</ref></blockquote>

====The CPSC on Hazardous Products Sold by Third-Party Sellers on Amazon.com====
In July of 2024, the United States' Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found Amazon responsible for hazardous products<ref>https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2024/CPSC-Finds-Amazon-Responsible-Under-Federal-Safety-Law-for-Hazardous-Products-Sold-by-Third-Party-Sellers-on-Amazon-com</ref> sold by third-party sellers on amazon.com. In particular, they stated the following:<blockquote>Amazon was a “distributor” of products that are defective or fail to meet federal consumer product safety standards, and therefore bears legal responsibility for their recall. More than 400,000 products are subject to this order: specifically, faulty carbon monoxide (CO) detectors, hairdryers without electrocution protection, and children’s sleepwear that violated federal flammability standards.<ref>https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2024/CPSC-Finds-Amazon-Responsible-Under-Federal-Safety-Law-for-Hazardous-Products-Sold-by-Third-Party-Sellers-on-Amazon-com</ref></blockquote><blockquote>The Commission determined that these products, listed on Amazon.com and sold by third-party sellers using the Fulfilled by Amazon program, pose a “substantial product hazard” under the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA).<ref>https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2024/CPSC-Finds-Amazon-Responsible-Under-Federal-Safety-Law-for-Hazardous-Products-Sold-by-Third-Party-Sellers-on-Amazon-com</ref></blockquote>
<references />

Thinkpad X1 Carbon

2025-01-28T10:12:11Z

KibouNoHikari: /* Guled lid and LCD durability on 10th gen Thinkpad x1 laptops : */ - fixed typo

{{Incomplete}}

This article outlines the various anti-consumer measures used in the Lenovo X1 Carbon series of laptops. Some concepts may overlap with [[Lenovo]]'s general practices, a Chinese-American multinational technology company.

===Hardware-vendor lockout (BIOS whitelist)===
Most models of the Lenovo X1 Carbon will fail to post if the user changes their WWAN broadband card to a WWAN card that is not on the Lenovo Vendor Whitelist<ref name=":1">[https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/ThinkPad_mobile_Internet "ThinkPad mobile Internet"] - wiki.archlinux.org</ref>. If a user intends to use a WWAN card manufactured by another company, which are typically cheaper than the Lenovo factory-installed WWAN cards, the computer will not boot until the user removes the card. Evasion of these whitelists has been outlined in the ArchLinux wiki<ref name=":1" />, but success is very limited.

The intent behind this vendor-lockout is ambiguous, and not well-documented officially by Lenovo.

====Resulting cost for the consumer====

Lenovo currently charges $298 USD to install a Quectel RM520N-GL 5G Sub6 from the factory<ref name=":0" />.
[[File:Lenovo store screenshot.png|thumb|right| Pricing options for WWAN card (Lenovo X1 Carbon gen2) <ref name=":0"> [[:File:Lenovo store screenshot.png|Screenshot or pricing options for WWAN card of Lenovo Laptop]]</ref>]]

Some used options of similar modems can, at the time of writing, be purchased for $150 USD<ref>[https://www.ebay.com/itm/296886818084 "Quectel RM520N-GL"] - ebay.com - 17 Jan 2025 - Archived Page: https://archive.is/IkmZV</ref>. 4G modems can be purchased for even less<ref>[https://www.ebay.com/itm/196914042141 "NEW Dell V8KN6 Sierra Wireless AirPrime EM7455 DW5811e LTE 4G WWAN Card"] - ebay.com - 17 Jan 2025 - Archived Page: https://archive.is/uSubr</ref>.

==Hardware==

===Thinkpad x1 carbon sub series===

====huge hinge problems====
it's not a Think pad quality product it has the Hinge problem and other systemic durability issues unlike all other Thinkpad branded business laptops. source: salem techsperts, ifixit

====Hinge problem - Lenovo ThinkPad X380 Yoga====
https://download.lenovo.com/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/x380yoga_hmm_en.pdf see page 94 - Removal steps of the LCD hinges

https://laptopmedia.com/highlights/inside-lenovo-thinkpad-x1-carbon-10th-gen-disassembly-and-upgrade-options/

====Glued lid and LCD durability on 10th gen Thinkpad x1 laptops :====
https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/772580/How+to+replace+the+LCD+screen+without+replacing+the+whole+lid

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Product lines]]

Amazon

2025-01-28T10:06:33Z

KibouNoHikari: /* Controversies */ - added links to page about Amazon allowing fraudulent listings

{{StubNotice}}

{{InfoboxCompany
| Name = Amazon
| Type = Public
| Founded = 1994
| Industry = Technology
| Official Website = https://amazon.com/
| Logo = Amazon.png
}}

[[wikipedia:Amazon_(company)|'''Amazon.com, Inc.''']] is a global leader in e-commerce, cloud computing, and digital streaming, founded in 1994 by Jeff Bezos. Originally launched as an online bookstore, Amazon quickly expanded into a marketplace offering a wide range of products, including electronics, clothing, household goods, and groceries. Today, it is one of the largest companies in the world, with a dominant presence in retail, technology, and logistics.

In addition to its e-commerce platform, Amazon is a major player in cloud computing through Amazon Web Services (AWS), which provides cloud infrastructure and services to businesses globally. The company also offers a variety of digital services, such as Amazon Prime, which provides streaming video and music, and Alexa, its voice-activated virtual assistant. Amazon has also developed consumer products like the Kindle e-reader, Fire tablets, and Echo smart speakers.

Amazon has faced significant scrutiny and criticism, particularly concerning its treatment of workers, marketplace practices, data privacy issues, and its impact on small businesses. It has been involved in various regulatory and legal challenges related to anti-competitive behavior, safety, and consumer protection, with calls for increased oversight on its business operations.

==Controversies==
Amazon has been involved in numerous controversies, from dangerous products to anti-competitive practices. Below is a comprehensive listing of every relevant controversy documented here on this wiki: 
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Controversy
!Year
!Background Info
!Aftermath
!Related Article
!Related Video(s)
|-
|Amazon sells dangerous litterboxes
|2024
|Amazon sold litterboxes that were designed in a unsafe way that led to the deaths of multiple cats, and posed a danger to young children.
|Original product was delisted, yet many other variants of the same product exist on the site.
|
|<ref group="Video References">https://youtube.com/watch?v=p6Y19nSPvC4</ref>
|-
|Amazon adds ads to premium subscription
|2023, 2024
|Amazon added advertisements to previously ad free subscriptions for Prime Video and Echo Show frames.
|Continues to occur.
|
|<ref group="Video References">https://youtube.com/watch?v=RSi6g5-xUaY</ref> <ref group="Video References">https://youtube.com/watch?v=ua_QL9YysHQ</ref> <ref group="Video References">https://youtube.com/watch?v=VLFpU9aqtXc</ref>
|-
|Amazon allows fraudulent listings
|2014 - 2024
|
|Fraudulent listings continue to be added, some removed.
|[[Amazon allows fraudulent product page after manual review! Deep dive on Amazons support of scams]]
|<ref group="Video References">https://youtube.com/watch?v=qZCMislL6_I</ref> <ref group="Video References">https://youtube.com/watch?v=7trdHLtsFKM</ref> <ref group="Video References">https://youtube.com/watch?v=B90_SNNbcoU</ref> <ref group="Video References">https://youtube.com/watch?v=DiKflg8Uko4</ref> <ref group="Video References">https://youtube.com/watch?v=y83BS_mK9GE</ref> <ref group="Video References">https://youtube.com/watch?v=Rhb0ID9z4aE</ref> <ref group="Video References">https://youtube.com/watch?v=XZNn2mO3dNQ</ref> <ref group="Video References">https://youtube.com/watch?v=C0YNLWdj9sQ</ref>
|-
|Amazon allows sellers to bribe customers for better ratings.
|2024
|Amazon sellers give customers gift cards in exchange for positive product reviews; Amazon does nothing to stop this.
|Continues to occur.
|
|<ref group="Video References">https://youtube.com/watch?v=eS698R-bxuc</ref>
|-
|Amazon has bad marketplace algorithms.
|2023, 2024
|
|Algorithms still seem to be nonbeneficial.
|
|<ref group="Video References">https://youtube.com/watch?v=tAaSXz8CBMc</ref>
|-
|Amazon trashes refurbished market.
|2022, 2023
|
|Unknown
|
|<ref group="Video References">https://youtube.com/watch?v=h3qgbvq2SWs</ref> <ref group="Video References">https://youtube.com/watch?v=qzUXmeaZsIQ</ref>
|-
|Amazon wrongfully deletes accounts.
|2023
|
|Some accounts reinstated.
|
|<ref group="Video References">https://youtube.com/watch?v=Kcohq313q00</ref> <ref group="Video References">https://youtube.com/watch?v=SyEgD-5GK9c</ref> <ref group="Video References">https://youtube.com/watch?v=NfiIXooD77s</ref>
|-
|Amazon engages in anticompetitive behavior
|2021, 2022
|
|Unknown
|
|<ref group="Video References">https://youtube.com/watch?v=YBJoSGWdP0Y</ref> <ref group="Video References">https://youtube.com/watch?v=XCLx4mVJ4gk</ref>
|-
|Amazon Sells Fake Electrical Fuses
|2024
|Fuses are being sold that do not blow when supplied more power than it is intended to handle, which is a major safety risk.
|These fuses are still being sold to this day.
|[[Amazon allows fraudulent product page after manual review! Deep dive on Amazons support of scams]]
|<ref group="Video References">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B90_SNNbcoU</ref>
|-
|Amazon PhotosPlus Discontinuation
|2024
|
|Continues to occur.
|[[Amazon PhotosPlus Discontinuation]]
|
|-
|Amazon uses "dark patterns" for its premium subscription
|2023
|Systematically designing the cancelling steps to be complicated and long ; using tricks to kidnap users into the subscription. See "Project Illiad"
|Continues to occur.
|[https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/06/ftc-takes-action-against-amazon-enrolling-consumers-amazon-prime-without-consent-sabotaging-their FTC Takes Action Against Amazon]
|
|}

===All Louis Rossmann videos covering Amazon:===
<references group="Video References" />

===References:===
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Logistics companies]]
[[Category:Online music stores]]
[[Category:Online retailers]]
[[Category:Software companies]]
[[Category:Technology companies]]
[[Category:Amazon]]
[[Category:Articles in need of additional work]]

Amazon allows fraudulent product page after manual review

2025-01-28T09:58:14Z

KibouNoHikari: /* Overview */ - slightly changed wording

====Overview====
Sellers on Amazon are able to sell products, get reviews for them, change the listings so as to sell different items on them, but still keep the reviews for the different products that they previously sold under that listing. Amazon also continues to sell products that don't deliver on promises they are advertising.

These problems make it difficult for customers to make informed purchasing decisions based on reviews on Amazon's product listings.

====Removing Reviews (Including Verified Reviews)====
When Amazon did remove reviews, presumably to remove reviews for unrelated products, they also removed reviews from customers regarding the product currently being sold and whose reviews were marked as "Verified Purchase" by Amazon. The removal of legitimate reviews makes it more difficult for potential buyers to discern whether a product is fraudulent or not, since reviews of verified purchases of the product currently being listed, that could alert potential buyers to issues with the product, where also removed.

====Examples Of Such and Related Incidents====

======Portable Air Conditioner======
Amazon sells a portable air conditioner<ref>https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Conditioners-Control-Dehumidifier-Included/dp/B0CY85TKPF/</ref> for which the aforementioned removing of reviews took place. This listing contained for example reviews for digital picture frames, desks, shower heads and balloons, adding to the number of positive reviews displayed for the portable air conditioner being sold.

The listing in questions has been available on Amazon since at least July of 2024<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20240706183221/https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Conditioners-Control-Dehumidifier-Included/dp/B0CY85TKPF/</ref> and is currently still being listed in January 2025<ref>https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Conditioners-Control-Dehumidifier-Included/dp/B0CY85TKPF/</ref>.

======Electrical Fuses======
Electrical fuses are used to break an electrical circuit if too much electrical current is flowing through it. This is essential for preventing circuits from operating and failing in a safe manner.

Amazon has listings for many such fuses. When purchasing and testing highly rated fuses from three different buyers selling on Amazon<ref>https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08D3R1BRY

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0899WR671

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0895PV8S2</ref>, it was discovered<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B90_SNNbcoU</ref> that the fuses did not function the way that they were rated. Testing showed that the fuses only gave out after putting multiple times their rated current through them. They thereby did not break the connection the way they were advertised to do and could pose a safety risk if used in electrical circuits.

The fuses tested had and still have many reviews with a very high total rating. The fuses mentioned here, have been listed on Amazon since at least December of 2023 and are all still available for purchase. Due to the issues outlined above, a potential buyer relying on Amazon's reviews may have difficulties making an informed purchasing decision.

====Amazon on How They Keep Reviews Trustworthy and Useful====
Amazon themselves describes what they do to keep their reviews trustworthy and useful as follows:<blockquote>Our automated and human checks stop millions of suspicious reviews before customers ever see them. We also take legal action against groups that pay customers to post fake reviews. See our anti-manipulation policy.<ref>https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G8UYX7LALQC8V9KA</ref></blockquote>

====The CPSC on Hazardous Products Sold by Third-Party Sellers on Amazon.com====
In July of 2024, the United States' Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found Amazon responsible for hazardous products<ref>https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2024/CPSC-Finds-Amazon-Responsible-Under-Federal-Safety-Law-for-Hazardous-Products-Sold-by-Third-Party-Sellers-on-Amazon-com</ref> sold by third-party sellers on amazon.com. In particular, they stated the following:<blockquote>Amazon was a “distributor” of products that are defective or fail to meet federal consumer product safety standards, and therefore bears legal responsibility for their recall. More than 400,000 products are subject to this order: specifically, faulty carbon monoxide (CO) detectors, hairdryers without electrocution protection, and children’s sleepwear that violated federal flammability standards.<ref>https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2024/CPSC-Finds-Amazon-Responsible-Under-Federal-Safety-Law-for-Hazardous-Products-Sold-by-Third-Party-Sellers-on-Amazon-com</ref></blockquote><blockquote>The Commission determined that these products, listed on Amazon.com and sold by third-party sellers using the Fulfilled by Amazon program, pose a “substantial product hazard” under the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA).<ref>https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2024/CPSC-Finds-Amazon-Responsible-Under-Federal-Safety-Law-for-Hazardous-Products-Sold-by-Third-Party-Sellers-on-Amazon-com</ref></blockquote>
<references />

Amazon allows fraudulent product page after manual review

2025-01-28T09:50:48Z

KibouNoHikari: Created page going over problems with reviews on Amazon's product listings

==== Overview ====
Sellers on Amazon are able to sell products, get reviews for them, change the listing so as to sell a different item on it, but still keep the reviews for the different products that they previously sold under that listing. Amazon also continues to sell products that don't deliver on promises they are advertising.

These problems make it difficult for customers to make informed purchasing decisions based on reviews on Amazon's product listings.

==== Removing Reviews (Including Verified Reviews) ====
When Amazon did remove reviews, presumably to remove reviews for unrelated products, they also removed reviews from customers regarding the product currently being sold and whose reviews were marked as "Verified Purchase" by Amazon. The removal of legitimate reviews makes it more difficult for potential buyers to discern whether a product is fraudulent or not, since reviews of verified purchases of the product currently being listed, that could alert potential buyers to issues with the product, where also removed.

==== Examples Of Such and Related Incidents ====

====== Portable Air Conditioner ======
Amazon sells a portable air conditioner<ref>https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Conditioners-Control-Dehumidifier-Included/dp/B0CY85TKPF/</ref> for which the aforementioned removing of reviews took place. This listing contained for example reviews for digital picture frames, desks, shower heads and balloons, adding to the number of positive reviews displayed for the portable air conditioner being sold.

The listing in questions has been available on Amazon since at least July of 2024<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20240706183221/https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Conditioners-Control-Dehumidifier-Included/dp/B0CY85TKPF/</ref> and is currently still being listed in January 2025<ref>https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Conditioners-Control-Dehumidifier-Included/dp/B0CY85TKPF/</ref>.

====== Electrical Fuses ======
Electrical fuses are used to break an electrical circuit if too much electrical current is flowing through it. This is essential for preventing circuits from operating and failing in a safe manner.

Amazon has listings for many such fuses. When purchasing and testing highly rated fuses from three different buyers selling on Amazon<ref>https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08D3R1BRY

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0899WR671

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0895PV8S2</ref>, it was discovered<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B90_SNNbcoU</ref> that the fuses did not function the way that they were rated. Testing showed that the fuses only gave out after putting multiple times their rated current through them. They thereby did not break the connection the way they were advertised to do and could pose a safety risk if used in electrical circuits.

The fuses tested had and still have many reviews with a very high total rating. The fuses mentioned here, have been listed on Amazon since at least December of 2023 and are all still available for purchase. Due to the issues outlined above, a potential buyer relying on Amazon's reviews may have difficulties making an informed purchasing decision.

==== Amazon on How They Keep Reviews Trustworthy and Useful ====
Amazon themselves describes what they do to keep their reviews trustworthy and useful as follows:<blockquote>Our automated and human checks stop millions of suspicious reviews before customers ever see them. We also take legal action against groups that pay customers to post fake reviews. See our anti-manipulation policy.<ref>https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G8UYX7LALQC8V9KA</ref></blockquote>

==== The CPSC on Hazardous Products Sold by Third-Party Sellers on Amazon.com ====
In July of 2024, the United States' Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found Amazon responsible for hazardous products<ref>https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2024/CPSC-Finds-Amazon-Responsible-Under-Federal-Safety-Law-for-Hazardous-Products-Sold-by-Third-Party-Sellers-on-Amazon-com</ref> sold by third-party sellers on amazon.com. In particular, they stated the following:<blockquote>Amazon was a “distributor” of products that are defective or fail to meet federal consumer product safety standards, and therefore bears legal responsibility for their recall. More than 400,000 products are subject to this order: specifically, faulty carbon monoxide (CO) detectors, hairdryers without electrocution protection, and children’s sleepwear that violated federal flammability standards.<ref>https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2024/CPSC-Finds-Amazon-Responsible-Under-Federal-Safety-Law-for-Hazardous-Products-Sold-by-Third-Party-Sellers-on-Amazon-com</ref></blockquote><blockquote>The Commission determined that these products, listed on Amazon.com and sold by third-party sellers using the Fulfilled by Amazon program, pose a “substantial product hazard” under the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA).<ref>https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2024/CPSC-Finds-Amazon-Responsible-Under-Federal-Safety-Law-for-Hazardous-Products-Sold-by-Third-Party-Sellers-on-Amazon-com</ref></blockquote>