Askenzai : The most over priced liquid in the world, HPs ink.

Shayan vaz: @Ashkenazi:

and such ink is only found in Pakistan?
Kamal: In uni centre karachi and sasi clifton thousand of counterfeit cartridges are available why the hp not
goes there ???????????????
whitesky: The illicit manufacture, smuggling and trade of cigarettes speaks the volume of prevailing corrupt
activities hurts the interests of genuine manufacturers and the national exchequer and oh also the health of the
consumer with varying degree. But corruption is the most hated and simultaneously desired activities.
The Consumers Eye Pakistan
The seminar, jointly organised by Helpline Trust, The Consumers Eye Pakistan (TCEP) and
Consumer Voice Pakistan (CVP), was held with the collaboration of PSQCA to mark World Anti-Counterfeiting
Day 2014.
The Consumers Eye Pakistan TCEP, a non-profit, Consumer NGO, working since 2005 for Consumer
Empowerment in Pakistan, TCEPs vision is a world where everyone has access to safe and sustainable goods
and services. it includes adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care, education and safe drinking water in
Pakistan. TCEP campaign against any behavior that threatens ignores or abuses the principles of consumer
protection with the aim of getting every Pakistani consumer a fairer deal to put the rights of consumers at the
heart of decision-making.
MEHAK:
plus.

And the spelling are whether, not weather!!!! And Cool Water is not 2200rs, its 3000

SALEEM: Top of every black list. What a great achievement. Every Pakistani should feel proud.
Sk-saleem : @Saleem: Nowhere does it say that Pakistan tops the list. It just says that Pakistan, India,
Argentina, and Canada were put on the priority watch list, along with Algeria, Chile, Indonesia, Israel,
Thailand, Ukraine and Venezuela. Why this self-hate and why put Pakistan in more negative light than is
necessary???? Pakistan cannot control many of its stuff and cannot regulate many of its operations, and
copyright is one of those areas, but by no means do we top the list. China, India, and Russia are big players in
this area, and the list includes Canada, Israel, Venezuela, and many others. Do you ever protest when the
World fails to note the achievements of Edhi???? Even though he deserves Nobel Prize for his achievements.
But, you jump to thump on being placed on Copyrights list.
Tariq: Its called the priority watch List and Pakistan is not on top or anything. The list contains 13 countries
including Russia , China , India and even Canada. Not that Alarming i guess.

Observers eye: Im swollen with Pride!

Ehsan: I skimmed through all the report and couldnt find Pakistan on Top of the List, merrily surprised. I am
wondering who compiled this article, possible GEO news connections ? maybe.
Saleem: Dear SK-Salman,
I take your point. But the fact is that we blame the rest of the world for all our problems. We need reflection and
introspection and not burying our heads in sand. People like Edhi are well respected around the world and
rightly so. The problem is that for every Edhi there are a thousand crooks giving an overwhelming negative
publicity. That is our problem and we need to recognise, accept and then fix it. No one else will.

Nawab: United States is only looking after the interests of its own businesses. Why do the whole world respect
US PATENTS when they were granted to be used in United States to begin with? China has developed by not
caving into the demands of United States. The only chance Pakistan has is by doing the same.
Why should our people pay the exorbitant prices so US business can have fat profits?

Ikram Ullah: Its good that Pakistan is on that list. You know why, because due to this piracy Pakistanis can
afford using Windows, Studying from University level books because if piracy was not there than we had to buy
books for 3000 Rs instead of 300 Rs. So this is one thing that I am happy for.
Disoctu: I think they are more concerned about the millions of movies and songs we download illegally. Even
if you dont download, the stuff you buy is also illegal. You cannot legitimately buy movies or music in Pakistan
A khan: Well India and China are not special too. It has not been too long when they were at the highest
ranking of Copyrights pirates. They have improved so should we from now on. People have to implement it at
their level rather than waiting for govt. taking some actions.
Dv sikka: What an accomplishment.
KH : I am very much sure, that most of us commenting here have once in their life time has used a pirated copy
of windows. It mostly happens when you are a student and dont have enough cash to spare. And simply cant go
on buying windows, adobe, HTML designers, office etc.
These list will be made always, since the business doesnot want to loose, but in countries like ours, where there
is keen interest in learning the new technologies and the per capita income is way too low, this will keep on
happening. For us there is a brighter side, that people are interested in learning new stuff
So please dont pretend to have a clean past
Interconnect Partners: Honorable Ron Kirk Pakistan Office of IPO an affiliate of WIPO, Geneva just had world
IPR day on April 26, 2012 with a large audience from the IPR community.
Pakistan has more lawyers, consultants on IPR, trade mark, and patents and observed well among the common
people of Pakistan.
We have one of the most knowledgeable public in business and finance about IPR, trade marks, and patents.

Nas: Just had my laptop repaired from a shop here in sydney, Australia where a Bangladeshi Tech Guy
installed a pirated windows 7 on it. I mentioned this thing to him and he said its simply very expensive to buy
one and he charged me 60$ for the whole repair including installation.
So its not only in Pakistan, It happens everywhere,

Tsc Tribe

3 months ago

Hi, I'm sure I have a fake iPhone 6 survivor cover. How can I tell the
difference officially, please?

Sian Jackson

2 years ago

thanks. for the help i and my partner both email you today we got a what
looks and feels a fake survivor case for my iPad mini. which i need in a case
to protect it im in a wheelchair and my ipad is my speech aid. so now we
have a major problem. my partner is blind and we cant work due
it look so wonderful now im left with an iPad mini im scared to incase
something happens
i know 22 looks a bargin but. the case we got wasnt what i expected
for any one else. here is the info
ebay number
290863351408
also same modle on amazon.co.uk. which i think is fake
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Griffi...
also be aware the amazon have the words Griffin ,griffin and griffin
Tecnology. down about three time which does not help
please if anyone buying. buy from. http://www.griffintechnology.c...
who are as they said the official and only genuine makers of the survivor

Chester

January 20, 2015 at 7:49 pm

I bought a powerbank from them 3 months ago and did not notice any defects
so far. But, thank you for this. It fears me now especially I have been eyeing a
gadget or two at lazada for a week now.

Helga
January 21, 2015 at 10:49 am

@Chester, Be cautious!

Chester
January 21, 2015 at 10:50 am

@Helga, Yes! Thank you Helga!

Roxanne
January 20, 2015 at 10:39 pm

Ive never tried shopping online because Im afraid of being scammed or getting
the wrong item size or whatever (its a hassle). Thank you for this advice
though! If Im finally going to shop online, I now know where NOT to shop
because heck, I cant tell fake from real most of the time. Im glad you can tell
fake products from real ones though!

Helga
January 21, 2015 at 10:51 am

@Roxanne, Haha, the misspelled word was a dead giveaway!

If I can stop one person from supporting Lazada, then Im happy. Such crappy
customer service, too!

Angel H
April 21, 2015 at 10:15 pm

@Roxanne,
Just wondering in general: Why so afraid? In every country in the world online
shopping is advancing fast. A big part of Lazada is a marketplace so everywhere
marketplaces are a part of online shops things go wrong so now and then.. Bit
more risky, but 9,5 out of 10 times it goes the right way.

Rose
January 20, 2015 at 11:20 pm

I had the misfortune of ordering powerbanks from them back in December 4,

2014 and it took them 30 days to deliver the item to Cebu. Their reason?
Typhoons (two had passed since my order), their online sale last December 12
plus the holidays. I am so not ordering from them ever again.

Helga
January 21, 2015 at 10:48 am

@Rose, So unacceptable!

Myrtle
January 21, 2015 at 7:30 am

I knew it! Once I ordered a curlash from them, the battery operated ones. It cost
me almost 200. Very cheap when you think that its original, though when the
package arrived, I got frustrated already because ay you have said, their
packages are suspicious, then one day I went to quiappo only to find out that a
store sells the VERY EXACT curlash for 75.00. How could they tell lies to alll their
customers!

Helga
January 21, 2015 at 10:48 am

@Myrtle, NAKAKAINIS SILA OMG!

Thompson Fritzl

January 21, 2015 at 10:36 am

Nice blog you have here! Anyway, do you have any proof that the item you
received is fake? Do you have an authentic item for comparison? Pictures wont
suffice. If so, thatll be very helpful to you and you can email DTI for their help in
order to expedite your refund.

Helga
January 21, 2015 at 10:48 am

@Thompson Fritzl, Its fake. The packaging (which has a misspelled word) is
different from the one you can find at Watsons stores. Plus, my co-worker who
has an original BaByliss product says both models are different. Shes bringing
hers to work to show me. :)

Thompson Fritzl
January 21, 2015 at 10:50 am

@Helga, Good to hear that! Goodluck on your case and I hope you get your
refund soon.
*Shameless Plug* Youre very pretty :P

Helga
January 21, 2015 at 10:55 am

@Thompson Fritzl, Thank you!

Im annoyed that I have to go to 2GO to get the whole refund process started.
Such a hassle.

Grace
January 21, 2015 at 1:14 pm

Waiting for my refund for 2 months now. Going three. Will never transact with
them again.

Matromao
January 21, 2015 at 3:24 pm

Frustrating as all hell. Mali na nga, nagdadahilan pa. Arg.

Beauty By Tellie
January 21, 2015 at 4:45 pm

OMG. I am also FUMING at Lazada right now. They took around 15 days to send
me a defective selfie stick, which I never even got to take to my vacation.
Returned it as soon as I got back (Jan. 5) and to date still have no update
whatsoever!
Its not enough that they suck, but why must they suck so excellently? I had to
phone in EVERY SINGLE STAGE of the exchange process (followed up 4 times by
now) and I dont think theyve even begun processing my exchange yet!!!

Beauty By Tellie
January 21, 2015 at 4:47 pm

@Beauty By Tellie, P.S. I got 2 selfie sticks and they just suck. Packaging of the
phone clip is flimsy ziplock, each component was scattered and not even
protected by secondary packaging, and the other unit (the one Im not
exchanging) has an unstable clip. My phone goes Tarzan when I use it.
RAAAAGE!

Helga
January 22, 2015 at 2:24 pm

@Beauty By Tellie, Keep following up with them!!!

andy
January 21, 2015 at 7:04 pm

Oh no! I just bought a phone from them! I understood the delay in the delivery
because I live in the province and it was during the holidays. But I cant tell if

mine is a fake product or not! Huhu I hope its not though. Good luck with your
case!

Helga
January 22, 2015 at 2:24 pm

@andy, I hope you got a genuine phone!

1.
1.

2.

Reply

Ari
January 21, 2015 at 10:33 pm
I was genuinely considering buying a new phone from them because I was
amazed at how much cheaper it was being sold. Plus, being such a popular site
I figured they couldnt be selling fakes, right?
Good thing I did my research first because I read a lot of reviews about
customers not only receiving their gadgets super late, but the item/s they
ordered were damaged too! Like with you, returning them was hell and some
still never managed to get theirs replaced or refunded. Who knows, if I bought
from them, they might have even given me a fake iPhone! No wonder their
gadgets are being sold so cheap!
Aris last blog entry: The royal treatment at Princess Hazel Salon & Spa
Reply

1.

Helga
January 22, 2015 at 2:26 pm
@Ari, If you ever find yourself in Hong Kong, the iPhone 6+ retails for
PHP8000 less than Philippine price there. :)
Reply

1.

Ari
January 22, 2015 at 11:14 pm
@Helga, I already got my iPhone 6, so I wish I knew that earlier.
But that would mean buying a ticket to Hong Kong also, haha!
Aris last blog entry: The royal treatment at Princess Hazel
Salon & Spa
Reply

3.

Michelle
January 22, 2015 at 1:59 am
I dont think I can trust Lazada. They keep appearing as an annoying pop-up on
this one website. Ive measured their credibility with that. Give Jaymark a bad
survey for canned responses on top of the DTI complaint.
Reply

1.

Helga
January 22, 2015 at 2:23 pm
@Michelle, I didnt bother with reviewing Jaymark anymore!
Reply

4.

Jamie
January 22, 2015 at 1:55 pm
Hi, I think Lazada provides a platform to connect the merchants all across
Philippines to the customers located anywhere in the country. Being a
marketplace, it does not totally control the products, however it does make sure

to include generic whenever its not a branded product. While it is doing its best
to control it, its an ongoing process. You can get a $1700 LV bag on Amazon for
$600, of course it would not be original. So, its a matter of being smart while
shopping, not to ignore all the comfort these marketplaces bring you by
delivering the products at your doorstep for free.
I bought a Xiaomi Mi3 from Lazada on Nov 11 and it was delivered to me the
very next day, there are good and bad examples to quote.
Just a thought, no offense.
Reply

1.

Helga
January 22, 2015 at 2:17 pm
@Jamie, Hi. The product page claimed the item was 100% Genuine and I
also raised these points when their marketing head called me:

I dont appreciate the lecture on online shopping. I buy things online all
the time and save for a few problems with China sellers on eBay (minor
problems that I expect from $0.99-$1.99 items with FREE international
shipping), this is the first time Ive encountered something as major as
this. I was under the impression I was buying an authentic item, as
written on the page, and that is not what I got. Unfortunately for them,
their customer service came across as uncaring, giving me canned
responses which made me more angry.

PS: Who cares about free shipping, especially if it took 15 DAYS to get to
me? I am always willing to pay for good service.
Edited to add: I think we should be able to shop online with confidence. I
trusted Lazada and my first experience turned out this way. Good for you
that yours went well!
Reply

5.

Tj Lim
January 22, 2015 at 5:50 pm
I have ordered a lot of items from Lazada, all of the products are original and
genuine. Maybe this is an isolated case and Im sure you can complain to them
directly.
Reply

1.

Helga
January 22, 2015 at 6:19 pm
@Tj Lim, Hi. Its actually not an isolated case. People have shared similar
experiences (duds, fake items, slow delivery and refunds) after I posted
about this. Its something Lazada has to be more vigilant about and
improve on.
Ill be updating this blog entry when I have time next week but Lazada
has reached out to me and have sent me a genuine Babyliss straightener.
Also, you and Jamie have the same IP address!
Reply

2.

xylhynne

January 22, 2015 at 11:57 pm

@Tj Lim, my friends mom also bought those happy call pans, fake as well
it was thinner than original.
Reply

6.

Sherica
January 22, 2015 at 6:50 pm
Same thing happened to me when I bought the Happy Call Pan from there!
Showed my then-officemates the product I received and it was indeed fake as
they got theirs from O-shopping! Two weeks after, the rubber keeping the two
sides together broke I even searched online para malaman if fake nga nabili ko
and no doubt fake talaga :( I never bought any branded stuff from them after
that.
I hope you get a refund or something for the bad service! D:
Reply

7.

Kisty Mea
January 22, 2015 at 7:52 pm
Im gonna copy-paste my comment on Krishas FB (since she shared your post)
for everyones information na rin.
My mom made a couple of purchases from Lazada a couple of months ago. I
wasnt aware of her purchase, but I was the one at home and paid the package
because it was COD.

When my mom got home, she explained to me that she cancelled the order
because of the websites awful system. She was surprised it was delivered, but
dahil sobrang hassle, she just asked me to pay for it. Dapat end of story na dun.
A couple of days later, Lazada called my mom asking for the payment. Hindi pa
daw kami nagbabayad. But I told her that we already paid for the amount the
courier asked me. Hindi ko naman kasalanan if the seller didnt inform the
courier that the package is COD.
Thats how I learned Lazada is just an online shop platform but the
supplier/sellers are different.
I also made a purchase last month, a tripod lang naman, but it took me three
weeks to have it delivered kahit naka-mark na shipped na a day after I ordered
it.
Sana sa OLX nalang pala ako nag-order.
Kisty Meas last blog entry: Surviving Caramoan
Reply

8.

Glenda
January 22, 2015 at 10:33 pm
Hello, i had similar experience when i bought a lot of stuffs for my condo last
12.12. I think almost 30 items.. Had so muh hassle with the delivery because
they tend to deliver it one by one and not by batches. I split my orders into 2
batch order and before I purchased it, ive read their faq with the delivery and
shipping. And likewise I expect to arrive it in 1-5 days as im in metro manila. Im
happy with the items that i bought especially the TCL 40 inch smart TV for less
than 14k. Anyways long story short, i get super pissed when i bought my split
type aircon and after a week of waiting, i get an email sayinb they will just

refund it coz it is out of stock but i know for a fact that the merchant had stocks
coz i personally call them while im still here in SG. Coz im super pissed ive
messaged Lazada Group COO to look into my concerns. And luckily he replied
and deal with personally with the staffs at Lazada PH and contacted me. So they
send me a new aircon. BUT.. The people at Lazada PH were the crappy ones,
their service recovery sucks! Their CS manager called me and promise they will
deliver the remaining 17 items but the agreed date which was way exceeded
their advertized delivery scheds. In the end i only manage to received 8 and the
remaining 9 will be refunded.
Until now the refund still didnt come to my account here in SG.
Im still in contact with the Group COO hoping to received my refund asap,
seems like they are having some refund process issue as they are using third
party to process the refund.
FYI.. I have informed the COO of your blog and he will look into ur concern as
well.
Personally, im an avid online shopper as it saves me a lot of time and it is
convenient. And Lazada offers wide range of products. Just a pure bad luck as
first time buyer of Lazada. Im still going to buy stuffs at Lazada in the future
hopinb theyve improved and to give them second chance. :)
Lets wait for their action.. But i do really lost my faith with the CS manager from
Lazada PH on his ways to handle the issues. Ignoring my viber message to him.
Reply

9.

Carina
January 22, 2015 at 11:43 pm
LOL my mom shops at Lazada a lot but I think shes calming down now because
of shitty service. They also only made an effort to rectify the situation when she
threatened to file a DTI complaint.
Carinas last blog entry: The Chapter in Your Life Entitled San Francisco: Part
II

Reply

10.

Turner

January 23, 2015 at 9:15 am

I had only one transaction with Lazada (bought a Xiaomi Mi3). It went very
smoothly. Ive been reading a lot of horror stories about them though. Ill just
buy from a brick and mortar store whenever possible.
Reply

11.

Raisa

January 23, 2015 at 3:33 pm

Its great that things got resolved, but it still sucks that you had to blast them
publicly to get things done.
Raisas last blog entry: New Theme (Sort of): Fleur Rose 1.1
Reply

12.

Mikyu

January 23, 2015 at 3:34 pm

Ive only bought from Lazada once, and I didnt care if the item was original or
not since I just used a gift certificate that they gave to me during their visit to
Cebu. I didnt know theres something fishy about them. Though I did notice that
their service was slow compared to other online shops.. I guess we really have
to careful with our online transactions and should scrutinize the seller before
trusting. Tsk.
Mikyus last blog entry: [Travel 2014] First Moments in Siargao
Reply

13.

Lady

January 29, 2015 at 4:29 am

Yes, Lazada is selling FAKE products! my friend almost got scammed when he
was about to buy a YONEX Voltric Z force II for only P660 in lazada. This same
racket is sold at P10,000+ at the official Yonex website.
Its a shame because Lazada is posting a GENUINE Badge beside their advertised
porducts!
Terrible!
Reply

14.

LAVHIE

January 30, 2015 at 8:25 am

I think JAYMARK is a BOT an AI thing. I also have these series of conversation
and it really pissed me out with her unreasonable responses.
Reply

15.

Helga

February 2, 2015 at 3:34 pm

@Lady, I hope your friend contacted Lazada and tried to sort it out!
Reply

16.

julainto

February 3, 2015 at 3:42 pm

I hope your friend contacted Lazada and tried to sort it out!
[Reply] makann baik

Reply

17.

Anne

February 7, 2015 at 5:30 pm

I ordered lamaze Musical Inchworm for my LO from Lazada and received the
item on plastic wrap without the box. It plays Lambada instead of If your happy
and you know it. Definitely a counterfeit, but didnt bother to go through the
pain of refund or return process.
Reply

18.

ANYAREH

March 11, 2015 at 5:10 pm

It took 6-months for them to give me a refund. ANYAREH. Haha!
Reply

19.

anonymous vib

March 12, 2015 at 12:15 pm

Lazada Philppines is really slow! I ordered last sunday via creditcard and they
still didnt verify my order until Thursday if I have not contact them. Theyre
freaking slow! I dont want to order there again. What a terrible and frustrating
shopping experience!
Sorry for the anonymous name. I just like to spread how bad their service.
Reply

20.

Jake Taylor

March 26, 2015 at 11:16 am

So far, my buying experiences with Lazada.ph had been satisfactory was able
to use vouchers and received quick delivery UNTIL my last order for New
Balance running shoes. Ive used New Balance all my life and always wore a size
10, so thats what i ordered. The product i received was labelled a size 10, but
was more like a size 8! Cheapy looking fake!! Lazada.ph must be sourcing FAKE
products from their suppliers! :(
Reply

1.

Helga
March 26, 2015 at 11:45 am
Hi Jake! Sorry to hear that. Have you contacted Lazada for a return and
refund?
Reply

1.

Jake Taylor
March 26, 2015 at 12:36 pm
@Helga, Yes, I just returned the product today via LBC.. I hope
they process the return quickly! Thanks.
Reply

21.

Lonely Pinay

April 1, 2015 at 2:08 pm

What happened na to the case you filed against lazada? I just purchased a
playstation 4 from their website last weekend kasi they nag anniversary sale sila
and its already scheduled to be delivered in 1-3 days . Grabe kinakabahan tuloy
ako after reading your post! I hope i dont get a fake ps4! This is my first
purchase with lazada na quite expensive kaya grabe super anxious ako :-(

Reply

1.

Helga
April 1, 2015 at 2:12 pm
Hi! Lazada sent me an original Babyliss straightener and also refunded
me. I hope your order goes smoothly! If you still dont have your PS4
beyond the promised delivery date, give them a call. :)
Reply

1.

Lonely Pinay
April 7, 2015 at 7:36 pm
@Helga, i think im one of the lucky ones kasi i received my order
with lazada na playstation 4 on time and its orig, brand new talaga
and in very good condition. Sobrang kabado ko kasi very first
purchase ko yun with lazada na expensive. Tapos after i read yung
experiences ng iba with lazada lalo akong kinabahan. Well thank
god my order with them went smoothly :) and sana lageng ganito
Reply

1.

Helga
April 22, 2015 at 10:49 am
Thats great to hear!

22.

Rei

April 6, 2015 at 4:55 pm

I just came across your blogIve been looking for review websites on Lazada to
post/share my experience as well. I hope you dont mind if I share my complaint

here, so that other potential customers/online buyers can learn from my

experience.
I purchased the LG BH4030S 3D 5.1Channel Blu-Ray Player (worth 8999 php
that time) last March 25, 2015. We waited for almost a week until finally, we
received the package on March 30, 2015 (the package came from Cebu for
some reason). We were excited to test it out but was gravely disappointed when
we opened the box and found out that it was missing a remote control. We
immediately contacted Lazada regarding the missing item and spoke to an
agent (Clarizza was her name), who insisted that the remote control is not
included in the box. How can the remote control not be included in the box??
The triple A battery for the remote was included too, but not the remote?? What
was the triple A battery for them? It was obviously a scam and they were trying
to protect themselves.
Finally, we contacted LG and was informed that the remote control should have
been included because that is the complete package. We ended up buying a
separate remote control from LG that costs 950 php.
I am seriously disappointed in Lazada, especially since I have been buying tons
of items from them for years. If this is the kind of post-sale service Lazada is
offering, then I will no longer waste my time to buy items from this website.
Online buyers, beware of LAZADA! They used to be a good online buying site,
but now theyre the worst! Please do not support LAZADA anymore. This should
teach them a lesson and force them to provide better service to their customers.
Reply

1.

Helga
April 6, 2015 at 5:01 pm
It seems like Clarizza has no clue!
Reply

2.

RJ
April 24, 2015 at 10:37 am
@Rei,
Hi Rei,
Sorry for the experience and the lack of knowledge from the agent that
handled your concern. Let me refund you the amount of the remote. If
you share with me your order number, will be more than happy to help
you out. Also, we started off a twitter account #asklazada, I have a
dedicated team answering questions there 7 days a week. Valid claims
with Order Numbers can and will be resolved there. :)
Reply

23.

Valya

April 19, 2015 at 10:16 am

I ordered hair Straightener in lazada malaysia and they said the product will be
arrived within 1 week but ive been waiting for almost 1month and i havent
received it. They are so slow! And this is the first time i buy their product. I am
seriously so disappointed.
Reply

1.

Helga
April 22, 2015 at 10:49 am
Hope you get that sorted! :(
Reply

24.

raz

April 19, 2015 at 10:43 am

I feel sorry for those who encountered problems with Lazadas service. In my
case, I did not encounter any problems yet. Here is my latest experience about
their refund policy.http://atomophile.com/reviews/lazada-philippines-returnpolicy
I think COD payment is the best and safest choice. And just to be fair, 2K is so
far the maximum amount of order I placed with them. So, higher price orders
might be a different story.
Reply

1.

Helga
April 22, 2015 at 10:51 am
Good to hear you got refunded quickly! They also refunded me for the
Babyliss U-Curler. :) I was surprised that they did!
Reply

25.

giselle

April 19, 2015 at 10:52 pm

They sent me a fake michael kors bag. Again it said 100% guaranteed genuine
yet they sent me a bag thats already falling apart on the side shipped in a cutup
box (for detergent) with misspelled words on the authenticity card. For 7500. I
complained and item was picked up for refund. They said they would take the
item down from their website yet up to today its still there. Merchant
(tote4totes) also still has all their items listed! Just shows they dotn give a shit
about consumers. Also told them fashopoholic ( their merchant) sells fake crap
( specifically t burch earrings) and guess what? 2 weeks after i informed them

the seller still has all their stuff listed too including the obviously fake t burch
earrings. How do i know its fake? Coz i did some research and the picture posted
for one of the earrings is incorrect. Slight difference in design. Buyer beware of
lazada
Reply

1.

Helga
April 22, 2015 at 10:51 am
They really need to crackdown on these merchants who sell fake wares
because it affects their reputation!
Reply

2.

harlem
April 25, 2015 at 12:49 pm
@giselle, i was plannning on buying an armani watch from tote4totes last
night but i was so sleepy that i wasnt able to finish the transaction.
goood thing i decided to google the merchant and i saw this blog. so,
thank you so much! youre a life saver.
Reply

26.

alexa

April 23, 2015 at 10:03 pm

I hate Lazada! I went from raving because of scoring an awesome deal to
outright hating them to the bones haha! Awful customer service and awful awful
fulfillment service. Thankfully w my warning, a couple of my friends are wary of
this fraudulent site. Fake and scheming
Reply

1.

Helga
April 24, 2015 at 2:46 pm
Hi Alexa! What happened?
Reply

27.

Paul

April 24, 2015 at 11:07 am

Hi Helga,
very nice blog on Lazada!
Most of the bad experiences shared by your readers seem to concern the quality
(or better: lack thereof) of the Lazada products. My experience is also bad, but
different. Last december I purchased a Sony Xperia Z, priced about 15% below
store price, using a BDO debit card (COD was not an option). The payment was
rejected three times so I switched to another BDO card (different account),
which went through. The item was delivered a bit late, but seems more or less
OK. Here it comes: I found out later that my rejected debit card, i.e. the first
one I tried to use, had actually been debited three times, but had only two
corresponding credits. So I was down about 16K (if my memory serves me well)
for nothing! Trying to contact Lazada was an excercise in futility, so eventually I
contacted the regional director Asia of Lazadas parent company directly by
email, alerting him to what I consider to be a critical error in their payment
system, and he responded immediately and promised prompt action by Lazada.
Nothing happened for a week so I sent a gentle reminder to the regional director
and only then things started moving. I did get my money back eventually.
Reply

1.

Helga
April 24, 2015 at 5:17 pm

Hi Paul! Glad to hear you got your money back. I tend to not use my debit
card when shopping online because I fear that what happened to you will
happen to me haha.
Reply

2.

Amor
May 9, 2015 at 6:11 pm
@Paul, paano nyo po nacontact regional director? Ty
Reply

28.

Kingelyser

April 30, 2015 at 5:40 am

Hi,
Just to share with you guys, bumili ako ng tissot watch sa lazada umder
tote4totes under 76% discount, im lucky to have it whitin the week and
brandnew and original :)
Reply

1.

Helga
May 4, 2015 at 10:59 pm
Thats good to hear!
Reply

29.

Brian

May 1, 2015 at 7:02 pm

I just received Fake nintendo ds games from them today. Sent them back thru
LBC. Asked for a bank transfer refund. Do u have any idea for the turn around
time? thanks.
Reply

1.

Helga
May 1, 2015 at 10:29 pm
Hi Brian! They refunded me in my next billing cycle. Hope you get
refunded quickly! You should ask them to take down the product listing
for the fake games, too.
Reply

30.

Pamela

May 4, 2015 at 9:42 pm

I hate Lazada! They sent me fake items and when I called them, the agent
insisted that they dont sell fake items. I bought a music angel speaker (which
isnt working, by the way) and for my daughter, carters pajama and longsleeve
onesies. Note that the items came from different sellers. I can go on and on
pointing out why they are fake but the most obvious reason is that the
packaging of all the items have misspelled words/grammatical errors! Even the
brand tag of the onsie is misspelled! And yet the agent kept on insisting that
they dont sell imitations and that they will only process my refund upon quality
check that the items are indeed imitations. Really, Lazada, your arrogance
surprises me! I actually took photos of the items and am currently
contemplating whether or not to take legal action.
Reply

1.

Helga

May 4, 2015 at 10:58 pm

It seems like the customer service agent you spoke with isnt really
listening to your case. Honestly, if the head of Lazadas customer care
didnt reach out to resolve my issue, I dont know if it would have been
fixed.
I suggest you keep trying and ask to speak to a manager when you call. I
hope this gets sorted for you!
Reply

1.

Pamela
May 5, 2015 at 7:54 am
@Helga, I have given up trying to reason with them or to ask to
speak to a manager. Back in December, they gave me a hard time
requesting for a refund to my card for items that never arrived. I
even spoke to a supervisor named Leonard, who assured me that
he will email me the refund code the next day (he claimed the
code meant that my refund has been processed). So here is how
creative Lazada can be with their excuses. I asked for the time he
will be emailing me, he just answered in the morning. So I asked
what about 9am, to which he answered 11am. We agreed on that,
Sir Leonard and I. Addressing him as Sir expressed how
courteous I was being. Well, the next morning, I didnt receive any
email. By the afternoon, I asked to speak to Sir Leonard. The
answer of the agent? Wala pong supervisor na ganyan ang
pangalan dito. Their then courage, and now arrogance, leave me
speechless.
Reply

31.

Amor

May 9, 2015 at 6:14 pm

Fake din po yung inuorder ko na earphone skullcandy sa lazada.. Pwede po
patulong kung paano ko po makuha pera ko? Kahit 1k pesos lang yun.
Pinaghirapan ko po yun Ty
Reply

1.

Helga
May 10, 2015 at 7:55 pm
Hi Amor! Nasubukan mo na ba tawagan yung customer service ng
Lazada? Try calling them first. Sana maayos and makakuha ka ng
refund! :)
Reply

32.

Eya

May 11, 2015 at 12:47 pm

Hi, I purchased an iPhone 6 128GB last friday and paid through CC, now I am bit
worried that they will give me a shitty service, or worst not deliver at all. Up to
now when I check my order online it says its still for verification.. How do you
get to talk to that RJ the head of customer service to check on my account?? I
tried tweeting but so far they have not replied yet. :(
Reply

1.

Helga
May 12, 2015 at 11:09 pm
Hi, Eya! Hows your order going? :)
Reply

33.

joebe

May 11, 2015 at 3:59 pm

bought a lacoste bag, after i got it I went to a lacoste store here and compare
the quality. and WTH! i got a fake item!!
Reply

1.

Helga
May 12, 2015 at 11:10 pm
Oh no! Try returning the item and processing a refund?
Reply

34.

Harold

May 12, 2015 at 10:07 pm

I bought a thermal tumbler for 592 pesos and it just arrived last Sunday. As a
student (extremely dependent from my parents at my old age) I was so happy
thinking that I saved a lot of money for a good product! I thought all the items
being sold at Lazada were real! I was so disappointed though because when I
first used the tumbler, I could not close it firmly! kind of loose thread!I thought
of just letting it pass until I stumbled upon your blog @Helga! I think your a
blessing, really!I hope I could get a refund from them!
Reply

35.

Alex

May 17, 2015 at 11:49 pm

whats confusing to me is that the Lazada website assures customers that their
items are 100% genuine which suggests that they have some sort of quality

control or inspection team. but then, here comes the customer service saying a
disclaimer that they cant be on top of everything. that does not make sense. to
guarantee that a product is 100% genuine while fully aware that there are some
fakes (worst is all counterfeit items) is false advertising and they should face
some punishment instead of letting them get away with it by letting them
replace the product discreetly.
can we say this is just an isolated case? i dont think so. i smell conspiracy here.
we all know there have been lots of complaints regarding fake products from
Lazada. Not just big enough for them to shut up on our products are 100%
genuine tagline. But how many consumers can really tell the genuine ones
from the fake ones? Not a significant number. Can you instantly tell fake Lacoste
or Versace perfumes? Fake signature watches? Fake Levis pants? Etc etc. For
example, when I ordered Kenneth Cole perfume from CashCash Pinoy theres no
difference in the scent between the original and the fake one. How did I know?
The fake ones scent does not last an hour. When I went back to the store, I said
I want a refund on this as this is not original. Is this US or SG? The crew then
answered its SG sir meaning, made in Singapore. I got a refund. See? These
bastards intentionally say 100% genuine in their website while they are fully
aware those are not. If all Lazada customers are only skilled in knowing the
difference between fake and original, I believe there will be more and more
complaints.
This is what I think is the real score;
1. They know they sell fake products. And this can be massively done on
products that can be and most popularly imitated perfumes, pants, watches,
shades, beauty products, (even the Coocan ceramic pot has imitations!).
2. They know some customers know how to spot a fake, so they have prepared
some genuine items in case some complains and will even go the extra mile of
meeting the complainant personally and giving vouchers discreetly. This is if the
situation gets out of hand like it breaks out in the social media.

Complaints regarding fake products from Lazada is not just an isolated case.
They deal with it discreetly.
So why dont we urge Lazada to shup up on our products are 100% genuine
and instead tell the customers the real score with something like our products
can be original or fake, buy at your own risk.
Reply

36.

Maximillion

May 23, 2015 at 9:12 am

To anyone who have doubts on lazada, I urge anybody to not buy at lazada, your
money and time will be at stake here, Dont be fooled!, their ads are fake, false
and customer service are liars, trained like automated machines that will not
give you the answer that you want, I am a victim here, I got caught in their trap,
I shouldve trusted my instincts!, I bought an item that had a 60% off, the item
arrived to me after patiently waiting for 15 days and to my surprise, it was fake!,
I returned the item to ask for a refund and after 30+ days of waiting til this day,
they wont give me back that small amount of hard-earned money! I call them
then mailed them 5 times already, and they just tell me the same lame thing of
processing Bullcrap! I cant believe they would let a business like this roam free
online, how terrible, it just functions like a scamming business. Oh, how regretful
this situation is right now
Reply

37.

kikay

May 24, 2015 at 12:07 pm

thank God i saw your post!! i was planning to buy a camera which is half the
price from the one i saw in the store..thank you!! ito na siguro yung sign na sa
store na lang talaga ako mismo bumili..again thank you!!

Rohini Narayan
Jabong itself sells the Fake product ,Lavie bag and Catwalk shoes i orderd from jabong were duplicate

1.

Lali11 February 2013 at 17:34

great
x

post!

this

is

so

useful

cuz

i'm

always

buying

on

ebay

veruzkas.blogspot.com
Reply
2.
La borsa di Mary Poppins11 February 2013 at 19:10

Beautiful
pictures
my
dear!
your
we
can
follow
each
other
http://www.borsadimarypoppins.com/
xoxo Gloria

blog
if

is
you

so

lovely!:)
want
:)

Reply
3.
Tiffy Diamond12 February 2013 at 05:12

Wow this is crazy, I actually didn't know that they sold fake makeup online too.
That's so annoying! Thank you for this post on how to spot a fake it is
EXTREMELY helpful and will make me more cautious moving forward.
xo
Tiffy
http://www.CuteLA.com
Reply
4.
glamourzone0112 February 2013 at 06:45

lovely post and helpful too.stop by my blog too would love tp follow each other let
me
know.
both
on
GFC
and
Bloglovin.
xoxo
http://glamourzone01.blogspot.com/
Reply
5.
Cecille12 February 2013 at 22:10

Great post and funny pictures :)

Reply
6.
Mademoiselle Zaria15 February 2013 at 16:37

Great
I
just
Hope

post!
started

to
you'll

follow

you
with
follow

Google

Friend
me

Connect!
back.

http://mademoisellezaria.blogspot.com
xoxo
Reply
7.
Mary Lee16 February 2013 at 13:16

ah thanks for this post! i'm going to be more aware when buying stuff online. this
was
so
helpful!
hope
you'll
www.marylee31.blogspot.com

visit

back

Reply
8.
Carla16 February 2013 at 15:29

Wow i had no idea they sold fake benefit makeup! YIKES! Thankfully, all the
benefit products i own were purchased through sephora so i think i'm good.
Thank you so much for posting this! VEry good to know! Love your blog and am
now your newest follower! I'd be so happy if you followed back :) xoxo Carla
www.fashionmavenmommy.com
Reply
9.
febrina utami putri17 February 2013 at 01:30

thankyou for sharing this post!! this is so helpful, i always afraid on getting
tricked into buying fake stuffs :(
Reply
10.
Chic 'n Cheap Living19 February 2013 at 04:15

Wow, thanks so much for the detailed review and pictures (I saw your link on
LALM on IFB). I now know that I will be very wary buying makeup on eBay!
The spelling is always a giveaway but it interesting looking at all the packaging
differences.
I
guess
I'll
just
wait
for
the
next
Sephora
discount!
xoxo,
Chic 'n Cheap Living
Reply

11.

Adora Mehitabel5 March 2013 at 20:03

Great
www.adoramehitabel.blogspot.co.uk

post

Reply
12.
Faye - Boutique Bag Lady19 March 2013 at 16:04

I had no idea fake benefit cosmetics existed.

Reply
13.
Jodie Melling1 April 2013 at 22:51

I've recently had a fake Benefit powda wowza off eBay. The fake is a good one.
Please check out my blog post and pictures of it here please be careful on ebay
ladies. http://studsnsequins.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/how-to-spot-fake-benefitpowda-wowza.html
Reply
14.
Carly7 April 2013 at 20:18

Oh dear, it's awful that this is going on. It actually worries me, mostly because of
the ingredients in this fake makeup. I'm glad you managed to get your money
back! xxx
Reply

15.
Bailey Villiers16 April 2013 at 20:48

This is such a good post! I work for Benefit and I know that when they tested a
few fake 'They're Real' macaras they actually found petrol in there!! It can be so
dangerous. I say if you want a cheaper alternative then there's always similar
products in places like boots and superdrug for cheaper that won't have the
ability
to
blind
you.
great post xx
Reply
Replies
1.
Annette Brennan17 April 2013 at 12:55

Oh god, that is actually awful! It's so bad to think there are loads of people
out there who have fake makeup and aren't at all aware of it! I agree, it's
better to go to Boots and get something cheaper than risk a fake.
Reply
16.
MishMreow M12 May 2013 at 21:27

Damn that was interesting, I made a few orders on ebay recently and I'm now
worried
about
it
xD
will
see
what
happens
X_x
The packaging is interesting, I wouldn't have been able to tell it was fake judging
from the exterior alone, the unglued bits may give it away though.
Reply
Replies

1.
Annette Brennan12 May 2013 at 21:34

Hopefully you're safe! If you have any concerns feel free to message me
about it!
Reply
17.
happyichigo15 August 2013 at 05:39

Great post! Thanks!

Reply
18.
Anonymous30 September 2013 at 19:18

I was just about to buy fake Dandelion blusher on ebay but saw your post just in
time ! Thanks for the tip :)
Reply
19.
Anonymous9 October 2013 at 14:46

Very useful, thanks a lot! Besides, we now know what we should look at in
searching for fake makeup on eBay! ;)
Reply
20.
Cosmetics24 October 2013 at 15:04

Thank you for info about FAKE Benefit Makeup!

Reply
21.
Belle Morte9 November 2013 at 23:26

Really informative post. Sorry to hear you ended up with fakes but glad to hear
you
got
refunds
in
the
end
:)
Belle Morte Beauty
Reply
22.
Rox5 December 2013 at 23:35

Hi there, I randomly came across this website and was wondering your thoughts?
Super cheap so probably fake,huh?!! http://www.benefitmakeupcheap.org
Reply
Replies
1.
Anonymous16 December 2013 at 21:37

I actually came across that same site and was also wondering if it was fake
or not because the prices seemed too good to be true!
Reply

by: comet
Thu Apr 9 01:55:16 2015

I thought you had to have actually PURCHASED the item to leave a review?
I know I get badgered to leave a review--and you have to have a minimum number of words/letters TO leave
one--and then you leave yourself open forever to getting QUESTIONS from people who are LOOKING at the
item YOU bought--I get questions allll the time on car parts--In some cases I do answer (If I know the answer!)
as it is then a "Real person" who has actually USED the part vs a seller who might tell you the part is
wonderful for your car when it really is not.
But---How is AMAZON allowing NON-PURCHASERS to EVER leave reviews? THAT seems to be a glitch in
their oh so perfect system--MADandCracked
Thu Apr 9 08:04:01 2015
Comet ... Sometimes people buy the item outside of Amazon and will leave a review, but I have to agree with
you.
: SalesBoy
Thu Apr 9 08:09:55 2015
@comet
That's not a problem because, as you'll see when perusing reviews on Amazon, there are a good percentage
which are not identified with "Verified Purchase" in orange text.
I have often been one of those non-verified myself after having bought the same item from another retailer like
Home Depot, etc. The only visible difference is that the words "Verified Purchase" are absent if the review is
written by a non-Amazon buyer.
a_c_green
Thu Apr 9 08:29:00 2015
@comet:
> But---How is AMAZON allowing NON-PURCHASERS to EVER leave
> reviews? THAT seems to be a glitch in their oh so perfect system--One of my favorite comments for ingenious plans like that: ''What could POSSIBLY go wrong?'' :-)
Moonwishes
Web Site
Thu Apr 9 09:23:15 2015
>>---How is AMAZON allowing NON-PURCHASERS to EVER leave reviews? THAT seems to be a glitch in
their oh so perfect system--- <<
Folks, there is a big difference between Product reviews and Seller Feedback. To get feedback, yes the seller
has to sell something and the buyer leaves feedback on how the seller handled the order. To write a review
anyone can no matter where they bought or got the item. One of the reasons, I think, that I got tapped for the
Amazon Vine Product review program is that I left reviews on many items that I had purchased or books given
as a gift.
I see the mix up quite often when looking at products. I see reviews where someone leaves the seller a 1 star
and complains that they were slow shipping or whatever and then a feedback for the seller saying that the
product was terrific. Ive had actual feedback left for me that was a book report on the book I sold them rather
than a nice comment on how fast I shipped and if the books condition was as stated. Feedback is for the
seller and a review is anyone's comment on the item itself. And they are left in two different places! In this
case it is the reviews that people are faking which is easy to do. Even on the Vine program a few people cheat

and you can tell who there are. In one incident a lot of us got a product that we weren't told ahead of time was
a prototype and we all condemned it since most of us couldn't unpack it without the box falling apart. Yet there
were a few that commented about how wonderful the item was and what high quality! To make matters worse
the manufacturers PR person left those of us that panned the product comments telling us about the item
being a prototype and that we were supposed to leave a review as if it were the actual product which of course
couldn't be done. How can you guess how good something would be?
Anyhow I hope it is clear as to where the problem is here and why Amazon would be unhappy.
gizmo
Thu Apr 9 12:04:45 2015
One reason I do not shop on amazon anymore. The constant driving me crazy with questions, of items I
purchased. Became a hassle.
Gina
Thu Apr 9 16:43:08 2015
first customers are blackmailing sellers for partial refunds or they will leave negative feedback, now this. It
was bound to happen. Any way, any how, if someone dreams up a scam, they'll try to sell it! Scammers ran
me out of business!
LAbay
Thu Apr 9 21:46:02 2015
This is dishonest behavior but a crime? A review is an opinion not a product claim.
RCL
Fri Apr 10 14:17:45 2015
Well it's a breach of good faith on the part of the Amazon seller who uses the service.
Santini
Sun Apr 12 01:36:07 2015
Easy for them to sue someone in the US, but what about a review seller based in say, China or Russia?

Markus | March 13, 2015 4:26 PM | Reply

That's just the tip of the iceberg ... in many non-fiction categories (love, relationship,
lifestyle ...), about half of the books are really fiction titles. Fake reviews aren't working in the
long - the 3 books will drop sharply when nobody is buying them. Most of the (fake) 5 star
reviews are verified purchases, so the person "buying" the reviews is going to pay for buying
the ebooks as well (or has offered them for free for a limited time). This is not sustainable
and there will be few new buyers for these books. Of course, you can contact Amazon, but it
likely won't help.
dangenet | March 13, 2015 4:41 PM | Reply

I wouldn't worry about this (too much). Your book seems to have about the right rating and
isn't being targeted for negative reviews. No one really looking for a Perl book will be fooled
by those pieces of garbage.
Ultimately this hurts Amazon more than you - as a buyer I hate having to weed through
garbage to get to useful things. If Amazon's product list in a category becomes full of
garbage, I stop searching Amazon.
You can leave a brief review on those books stating that you believe most of those reviews
to be fake (with selected evidence, e.g., reviewer "Felicity"). Other shoppers can then mark
your review as helpful, and if it's helpful enough, it gets listed as the "most helpful negative
review". I find such featured reviews helpful in discriminating between junk copies and the
real thing.
But, of course, you're right. It should be easy for Amazon to ID garbage like this.
Anonymous | March 13, 2015 5:53 PM | Reply
I think it's silly to assume any company can "easily identify" garbage reviews. With tens of
millions of products, all containing reviews, it's just not realistic, and continuing to assume
it's realistic is silly. Amazon does have a wait period (presumably to catch non-human
attempts at reviews) between a review being submitted and it being posted. But trying to
identify fake reviews quickly and programmatically is a tad farfetched.
Anonymous | March 13, 2015 6:23 PM | Reply
What I'm seeing here is no real evidence of any kind of fake reviews at all. I don't think you
posting their reviews are helping your point. Those could be genuine. Spelling mistakes do
not mean something is fake, nor do quantity of reviews. I write my review titles the same
way sometimes. It helps them appear on search engines and gives a cheap, useful, small
book some more advertisement which I'm happy to do. In any case, this is not Amazon's
fault. This happens with any website where you can comment. But maybe your only flaw
isn't in spelling and you just don't deserve #9. Self-righteous moron. Also fix your website.
How are you supposed to read this garbage?
Not Fooled replied to comment from Anonymous | March 13, 2015 7:24 PM | Reply
Nice try "Programing and Tech league"... we're on to you though :P

Michael | March 13, 2015 9:47 PM | Reply

I'm not really a fan of Amazon reviews but with the help of this blog, I became interested. I
learned a lot from this blog. because of this blog, I was intrigue and more interested in
buying stuff from Amazon knowing different tips and tricks that can help me to find my
perfect product. Good job to the author! Wll-written! Highly recommended!
Felicity | March 14, 2015 12:44 AM | Reply
I really liked this article even though I'm not interesting in the subject. It shows me many tips
and tricks and gives me hope and love.
bob | March 14, 2015 1:21 AM | Reply
probably your book sucks and they are right
Anonymous replied to comment from Anonymous | March 14, 2015 5:26 AM | Reply
Right. The reviewer who said she learned how to win at minecraft from the book was totally
legit.
Russ | March 14, 2015 5:28 AM | Reply
I notice the various reviews all have the same minor grammar errors too. Clearly written by
the same person.
batman | March 14, 2015 6:47 AM | Reply
Its just oreilly media sandbagging your book all is normal
Anonymous | March 14, 2015 6:50 AM | Reply
I could help you get your book to the top with new cover design. Maybe people are just
judging the book by its cover. I mean look at number 1! who doesn't love alpacas?
ferd | March 14, 2015 7:24 AM | Reply
@Michael: funny.

Curtis: this seems like another way that Amazon is screwing over authors and publishers in
their quest for world domination. They've pulled crap like this forever. Amazon reviews are
kind o like Usenet: once a worthy resource, now taken over by overseas scamsters and
spammers.
At least you can take comfort in the fact that you've improved the lives of beginning Perl
programmers immeasurably by giving them an alternative to the insufferable Randal
Schwartz and his terrible book Learning Perl, which I wouldn't wish my worst enemy to use
as toilet paper.
KD | March 14, 2015 8:32 AM | Reply
I understand your frustration, but at the same time: Those books are only 2.99 and yours is
30. People who buy a 2.99 book know, that they are buying low quality crap.
JJ | March 14, 2015 10:05 AM | Reply
Caveat emptor ...
Anonymous | March 14, 2015 10:10 AM | Reply
Fake reviews are indeed a problem. Fake reviews should not be allowed and should be
removed.
However "fraudulent" books aren't really fradulent if they are just bad books providing low
quality information. In this case they have as much right to exist as any other. Reviews will
tell people which to avoid - which again comes back to the problem being fradulent reviews
and not fradulent books.
Rad | March 14, 2015 10:26 AM | Reply
I have no interest in programming, but I found this article and just want to say:
Talent eventually rises to the top. Give it some more time. Those who really want to learn
will find a valuable resource. These days (ironically) a lot of effort is spent trying to avoid
making an effort. This goes for consumers and "producers" alike. Please continue to believe
in people's benevolence. You'll win out in the end.
Anonymous replied to comment from Felicity | March 14, 2015 1:53 PM | Reply

:-)
Couch Warrior | March 14, 2015 1:54 PM | Reply
I wouldn't worry, people buying 3$ ebooks were never going to spend the amount on yours
because they're both too cheap for it and not invested enough in programming to bother
looking into real resources (free stuff all over the net is already of much higher quality than
these scammy ebooks on Amazon)
And anyone looking for good stuff surely won't be fooled by generic first reviews. It only
really helps for people who filter out items with no/bad reviews before comparing what they
have left.
ComputersAreSmart replied to comment from Anonymous | March 14, 2015 1:55 PM |Reply
Uh, strongly disagree. Automatically preventing these scams would be a piece of cake for a
company with Amazon's resources
Anonymous replied to comment from Anonymous | March 14, 2015 2:13 PM | Reply
No but they can detect mass reviews by a user account. It isn't normal for a user to post
hundreds of reviews in a short time. It would be very easy to flag that account for review.
Jim | March 14, 2015 2:24 PM | Reply
Over half the customer reviews on Amazon are fake.
These are anonymous reviews on the internet, by anyone, for any reason. Amazon has no
legal obligation to police them under section 203 of the communications decency act.
If you search for "buy amazon reviews" you'll find the tip of the iceberg, most of these
services offer "verified purchase" reviews. All "verified purchase" means is that the person
who reviewed the product bought one, the return on investment for doing this for fake
reviews beats any other kind of marking by a long way.
Even fake reviewers can't control how most customers base their purchase decisions on
what an anonymous strangers say on the internet (harldy facebook profiles are they, and at
least that would be harder to game than completely anonymous reviews).
Mike Campbell | March 14, 2015 5:40 PM | Reply

I have dealt with this sort of thing on a daily basis for at least the past 8 years, though it had
nothing to do with books. I work in Internet Marketing and fake reviews are just something I
must try and combat. Sadly it has become the norm and I know of many people especially
overseas who make a good living writing fake reviews. Many American companies will also
engage in this activity and hide behind what should be an honest job title called 'Reputation
Management'. By the way, you can easily make upwards of $200/hour doing it. With the
ease of use of proxy servers and many other tricks, the people making thousands of dollars
per month doing this (also hoarding Craigslist) cannot be stopped. The amount of money
they make guarantees they will find away around any system that is put in place. The Web
enables us to sell in ways that were never possible in earlier years but it also has increased
the level of fraud and made it easier to. There is no easy fix and for me I must go to the
drawing board on a daily basis to determine a method of combating this problem. I would
say I feel for you, I sort of do but at the same time I have become numb and look at online
sale completely different than the average person because I must factor in these sorts of
hurdles.
Henrietta Atkin | March 14, 2015 6:39 PM | Reply
I ghostwrote some Minecraft books, and got all these glowing reviews all of a sudden. I think
mine are fake as well. But when I emailed Amazon about it, they asked me for more
information even though they could have easily checked into the reviewer themselves -- I
sent them a screen shot of the reviews, and all names were clearly visible.
John Kraemer | March 14, 2015 8:10 PM | Reply
Amazon is not good at applied machine learning. The task of automatically detecting
fraudulent reviews this poor in quality is basically solved, but they don't have the right talent
in house to handle it.
Adam | March 15, 2015 4:43 PM | Reply
Don't worry too much about those fake books, in the long run the quality of your book will
prevail. People interested in these technologies can see through the fake reviews. I know it
muddies the waters with the noise that buyers have to sift through, but these things have
tendencies to fix themselves. After while no-one will buy the fake books and the copy/paste
authors will jump ships to somewhere else. So good luck, and don't worry about the noise.
L. R. Styles | March 16, 2015 1:50 PM | Reply

Thank you for putting out this op-ed. I personally enjoy the fact that Amazon allows folks to
write their opinions of products; it helps me purchase items with greater quantities of data.
As a writer and self-publisher, however, I am painfully aware that there are flaws in this
system. My husband and I launched our books on Amazon's KDP in February of 2014.
Sales went through the roof and by the next month our Epic Fantasy series was selling in
the top 1%. We were thrilled.
Said success attracted the attention of our competitors, some of which--we soon
discovered--have no scruples whatsoever; we began getting a barrage of negative reviews,
some of which were complete fabrications, and some legitimate. Most of the "bad" reviews
praised our competitor's books with similar language, and likewise degraded our books--and
many of our fellow writer's books--using almost identical phrases over and over again, under
different names.
The timing of the bulk of the negative reviews could not be ignored. Every time our books
would get close to that 1-5% popularity area, then we get another slough of negative
reviews, which successfully changed the search & recommendation formulas. Two of such
reviews we've successfully lobbied to have removed, but it was a long, arduous process.
Now, I respect the integrity of the review system--as I mentioned at the beginning of my
rant--and utilize it myself, but it is far too easy to rate a few products in order to appear
legitimate and then use the account to slather libel all over a competitor's book/product.
Our competitors are fortunate that our abundance of ethics do not allow us to respond in
kind. Despite the present of the above-mentioned poseur posters, we'll continue to craft and
put up more fiction on Amazon for sale, as no real competitor has emerged (as of yet) that
can provide such a wide range of potential customers... but we do hope that the review
system is overhauled soon.
anonymous | March 16, 2015 10:01 PM | Reply
I have had my products on Amazon for 16 years.The problem with fraudulent reviews has
gotten worse.It's open and notorious! Amazon's credibility is at stake,they ought to get
serious about it.People no longer trust their rankings.That is a very slippery slope.
myrrhlin | March 17, 2015 7:13 PM | Reply

just checked the top perl books page, curtis, and those you flagged are gone, but so is your
book. meanwhile, a javascript book appears in the top 20. seems like they tweaked their
algorithm - maybe o'reilly books are now favored?
Anonymous | March 19, 2015 3:45 PM | Reply
Welcome to digital storefronts. Sorry you weren't ready for this. I'm an indie iOS game
developer and experience the same problem to the extreme. A large portion of the top apps
in the iOS app store get there by using services (against the terms of service) that publish
fake reviews and issue downloads by automated services to bump the app's rankings. Once
they're bumped into the top 10 they take off even if they suck. My 4-5 star games are
constantly bumped out of the top charts by games that are clearly 1-3 star games getting
pushed up. These services are hard to combat and unfortunately not worth the effort to stop
because it's harder to detect than it is to create.
Joe P | April 4, 2015 8:46 PM | Reply
Fake reviews happen all the time. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that about 30% of the products
on Amazon are bought! There's nothing much you can do besides fight fire with fire.
Fake books, on the other hand, is really shady. What's the point?
Anonymous | April 8, 2015 8:14 AM | Reply
Looking eagerly for a book with title "Beginning Perl 6" similar to your Perl 5.x book and
preferably from 'Wrox' publication.
Ovid replied to comment from Anonymous | April 8, 2015 8:46 AM | Reply
I'd love to write that book. Sadly, with a company to build, another company I'm creating,
and the uncertain future of Perl 6, I think I'd probably lose a ton of money on that book
relative to everything else I'm doing now.
Aristotle | April 10, 2015 7:48 AM | Reply
Amazon files first-ever suit over fake product reviews, alleging sites sold fraudulent praise
JohnP | May 2, 2015 1:47 AM | Reply
ohh, that's nothing. check out this guy's books.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=cmcrprpdtbl_sr?ie=UTF8&field-keywords=Sam+Key. He's got

one on Perl, of course.
This is the mode of operation:
1. write a 25 page book from cribbing some stuff on the web. like 'Python getting
started' or the like. About 20 of those in 6 months. "C++ in a day", indeed.
2. put it up on Amazon.
3. have anywhere from 30-200 guys swamp it with "I was a beginner, but gosh, this
book was huge help" reviews.
sometimes 30-40 reviews in a day ;-)
1. sit back and enjoy the suckers.
It's easy to see how rotten the system is. Just look at one of those books and check out the
"Customers who bought this item also bought" info. Same stooges giving the 5 stars?
Happily posting on other books by Sam Key. Or on dietary supplements or hair loss
remedies.
Several reviewers have notified Amazon - nada results.
pritesh | May 2, 2015 11:03 AM | Reply
Hi,
It's sad that the fake reviews are messing up the book ratings. But I don't think you should
worry about it. What you have written is an absolutely amazing book, so people will buy it.
I take amazon reviews with a big pinch of salt, and I have pretty large hands :). I'm sure
there are folks out there like me who'd do the same.
I really hope you write the next version of this book.
Pat Dilloway said...
I still get followed by fake Twitter accounts pushing bayreviews even though the site doesn't
work anymore. So I told the last fake account that they should update their link before
following more accounts.

Of course the "value" of some real reviews is debatable, the kind that are one word or so
poorly written to be unreadable.
4 / 1 3 / 2 0 1 5 4: 3 2 P M

Artemis J Jones said...

Informative, glad I read this and re-tweeted.
I recently did three reviews on Amazon and one of the reviews was rejected, they sent me
notice ( three time) and I re-wrote the review and it was rejected again. I just gave up , but
never really found out why it was rejected, it read their guidelines and could not find any
error.
AJJ
4 / 1 4 / 2 0 1 5 7: 5 4 A M

Anonymous said...
I get tweets inviting me to join sites with other writers who are sworn to write five-star
reviews for each other. For free, I gather.
One tip-off to fake reviews is when a book has a large number of five-star reviews coupled
with an extremely low sales-rank, or no sales rank at all. But the average shopper isn't going
to notice the discrepancy. You'd think amazon would, but those reviews remain as far as I can
tell.
4 / 1 4 / 2 0 1 5 9: 5 4 P M

Paul Tapp said...

Well done.Keep on with this investigation. Amazon must give priority to sourcing, exposing
and prosecuting false reviews. It should also alert any reader who has purchased trash
literature and reimburse for misleading advertising or face prosecution itself.
Most reviews are subjective anyway and advocacy groups too will use the star system to
campaign for or against a publication. Many avid readers in today's download phenomenon

depend heavily on reviews and star-systems as the ultimate reason for purchasing. Keep up
your good work on exposing this.
4 / 1 5 / 2 0 1 5 1 0 : 5 5 AM

suzanne jenkins said...

A friend who is also an author read my book and tried to post a review. She is a fine Christian
lady who would probably be offended by most of my adult themed books. However, the one
she read; purchasing it, not prompted by me at all, she liked very much. However, Amazon
refused to publish it and today I heard from the review appeals; because I know the reviewer,
they won't post the review? Say what? here's part of the letter from Amazon.
Hello
We have received your response and have reviewed your account and Customer Review
posted on the book "The Liberation of Ravenna Morton".
We are unable to post your review because your account activity indicates that you know the
author. We encourage family and friends to share their enthusiasm for the book through our
Customer Discussions feature or Editorial Reviews feature.
To find Customer Discussions, go to the book's product detail page, scroll down past
Customer Reviews, and click on the Start a Discussion button. To have your Editorial Review
posted to the detail page, e-mail it directly to the author so they can add it for you.
Thank you,
4 / 1 5 / 2 0 1 5 6: 3 9 P M

Dawn Pisturino said...

I never trust 4 and 5 star reviews because so many authors get their friends and relatives to
post them. Most of the self-published stuff that I've read doesn't even merit 4 or 5 stars. I'm
glad Amazon is cracking down.
4 / 1 5 / 2 0 1 5 9: 3 2 P M

Iola Goulton said...

Suzanne, if your friend had said she knows the author, the review may well have posted Amazon may well see it as breaching FTC guidelines if she hasn't.
I've reviewed several books by authors I know (admittedly, mostly authors I know virtually,
not in real life), and Amazon has never rejected a review. Of course, I always put "Thanks to
XX for providing a free ebook for review" at the bottom. That covers the FTC guideline, and
allows readers to assess the review on the basis I know the author well enough to get the
book for free.
4 / 1 6 / 2 0 1 5 7: 1 7 A M

Victoria Strauss said...

Suzanne, I've heard from a number of people who've had similar experiences, or have had
reviews they posted months or years ago removed for the same reason. I've also heard that
sometimes Amazon has removed reviews written by authors simply because they are
authors--even where there's no connection between the author reviewer and the author of the
book. It's an example of how a broad effort to target fake reviews can spill over to affect
genuine reviews. Although of course no one knows how Amazon determines who knows
whom.
4 / 1 6 / 2 0 1 5 9: 3 8 A M

Elizabeth J. Neal said...

Buy Amazon Reviews. 3518 likes 6 talking about this. Never has it been easier to get
multiple 4 and 5 star reviews on your product page. buy amazon product reviews
4 / 2 5 / 2 0 1 5 1 2 : 0 4 AM

1.

mfalkenhagen says:

April 17, 2015 at 8:57 am

LOVE this blogs title!! I think it really captured my attention, and I hope others would
agree as well. I think this topic is really interesting being that this is a huge aspect of
China that I have always wanted to learn more about. I think having the pictures on
different sides like you guys do really makes the blog look more professional. The
only suggestion I have would is to take out the link in the pictures or try to hide it.
Overall- good blog!
Reply

2.

yluo says:

April 17, 2015 at 8:38 am

In regard to the content and structure of the blog, it is very well done. Good Job Guys.
However, there is a problem in regard to the hyperlinks of the photos. When I click on
them, they do redirect me to a page where the photos become bigger, but there are
no any information about the photos in the new page: The enlarge photo is all I see. I
will address this issue to the professor to see how to solve this problem.
Also, there are some serious grammatical problems in 4th,5th and 7th paragraph. In
the end of 4th paragraph, it states, Chinas fraud problems our now our problems
bases on this report. Something wrong?? The second sentence in 5th paragraph,
usage of singular and plural are inconstant. The sentence reads, when consumer
discovers . . . they . . . Easy fix. In 7th paragraph, you need add more punctuation to
make your sentence flow better. Here is a link to a article that can be added to your
blog. This article talks about how consumers think about the fake products in China
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/full/10.1108/02634500610682854
Reply

3.

Matthew Terrell says:

April 17, 2015 at 8:35 am

What i like about this blog is that it offers both sides. It explains how counterfeit
products help and hurt the global economy. What i found interesting was when it
talked about how the Chinese government turns a blind eye to counterfeit factories
because of the employment aspect of them. The major question is, do the benefits of
counterfeit products outweigh the costs.
Reply

4.

Simone Alimonti says:

April 17, 2015 at 1:45 am

Counterfeit goods are a problem throughout the United States. Being from New York
City, I am used to seeing counterfeit goods sold on the market. While selling these
products contributes to the Chinese market, it hurts other companies. While
counterfeit items are a lot cheaper than designer products, the quality of the product
is poor. The products do not last as long. Sometimes buying the real product could
save you money in the long runthis would be neat to find a statistic about. Are you
really saving money or is is going to cost you more money in the long run? By buying
a fake product, the product is not going to last as long and you may need to buy a
similar products within a couple of years. The real product will last longer but will cost
you more initially. I really liked reading the blog post. I could relate to it since I am so
used to seeing counterfeit products throughout New York City.
Reply

5.

Samikshya Pandey says:

April 17, 2015 at 1:11 am

This blog is really nice and adds a new perspective to Chinese Economy.I didnt know
that counterfeit industries operated in such a large scale.
However, I do suggest you guys to add hyperlink to your sources. Like in the fourth
paragraph when you talked about how In 2008 it was estimated that up to $250
billion of world trade was counterfeit, I didnt know where to look for if I wanted to
know more about this trade. Similar is the case in fifth paragraph when you talked
about American businesses lose around $200 billion a year because of counterfeit
products.
Your blog is really nice and it got me intrigued. I had never realized the economic
impact of counterfeit goods in global economy. I wanted to know more about this topic
so I wanted hyperlink for the sources.
Reply

6.

Brad Mogavero says:

April 16, 2015 at 7:49 pm

Very well done blog with a great subject. I thought the blog looked great, and all Id
have to add is an interesting article about another instance where Chinese companies
make dangerous products that interfere with American health.
http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1994-04-06/news/1994096037_1_crayons-taintedtoys
Reply

7.

Ccourtney says:

April 16, 2015 at 6:52 pm

Counterfeited products are a huge problem in the world. The part you mentioned on
the fake medical supplies really tripped me out. Something as important as LIFE-

SAVING medicine should not be faked for obvious reasons. However, i wonder if this
problem really can ever be solved. As long as people keep buying, and the Chinese
government keeps doing nothing I dont see how this problem can ever really be
solved.
Reply

8.

Austin Saggus says:

April 16, 2015 at 5:22 pm

I completely agree that this blog is definitely well put together as well as providing the
ideal sort of format needed in order to have an attractive and quality blog. I did not
know this was such a significant issue in China! This is also very interesting to see
how the global market as a whole is being affected by this issue in China.
Reply

9.

Vanessa Chambers says:

April 16, 2015 at 4:47 pm

I really enjoyed your blog post! I thought it was a great topic that everyone could
easily relate too! My brother went to China a few years ago and came back with a
fake Louis wallet for me! It is crazy how they look just like the real one but are so
much cheaper. Great job on the organization of your blog.
Reply

10. csikora says:

April 16, 2015 at 1:36 am

I actually have a first hand experience with counterfeit products from China. Last year,
I went on a trip to New York City and decided that I really wanted a Louis Vuitton bag.
Since they cost a lot, a decided that a counterfeit one would have to suffice. So I
looked up the best way to get the most authentic looking counterfeit on the internet. I
went to Chinatown and headed to a street corner and, as I was told on the internet,
was approached by a Chinese woman whispering Fendi? Prada? Dolce? Louis?.
This was exactly what I was prepared for and nodded and she told me and my mom
to follow her. We did. She winded through streets and alleys for at least 15 minutes
until we got to a small park area with a park bench. She told us to sit down next to a
normal looking man. Once we were sat down next to him, he pulled a laminated sheet
out of his trench coat with pictures of lots of different designers purses and wallets on
it. I knew which one I wanted so I picked it out and told him and he abruptly got up
and left us on the park bench. We waited for about 15 minutes and eventually he
returned with nothing in hand. He sat back down next to us and pulled the purse I had
chosen out from under his trench coat and we paid and were on our way. Very shady
overall but the counterfeit looked very authentic even if it was a lower quality than the
real thing.
Reply

mdemaar says:

April 16, 2015 at 4:17 pm

WOW CHRISTEN! what a story!!! This blog is very well done and I greatly
enjoyed reading it. All your images and captions are a great example of proper
citations. All the links work very well and are great options for the reader to
explore your topic even more. All your tags work great for your topic. A
wonderful model for a properly done blog!

Submit

ZarIna Zan
can u please let me know how a original n duplicate bonacure volume boost shampoo are identified??
Reply
Like

1 December 17, 2014 at 1:52am

Submit

Zhanna Gorbunov
Omg what a difference!!
Reply
Like

2 June 22, 2012 at 8:30pm

Submit

Julia Pipenko Vyazhevich Owner/Photographer at Julia Vyaz Photography

Ya it looks great, sounds professional which you are lol, and since I hate reading I still read it all lol not just
glanced at it=).
Reply
Like

1 June 20, 2012 at 7:48am

Submit

Julia Pipenko Vyazhevich Owner/Photographer at Julia Vyaz Photography

That is awesome=) I didn't know that there is such a thing and the blog looks great.
Reply
Like

1 June 19, 2012 at 1:06pm

o

Submit

Julia Belzetsky Everett, Washington

Thanks Jules, Now i want to post more stuff, Im so excited!
Reply
Like

 June 20, 2012 at 12:28am

Dave O'Brien

2 months ago

What about Amazon's own "Vine" review program? What is the difference in this review
recruitment program offered to 1P vendor central brands versus these other sites?
Amazon charges you for the ability to send free product to their customer base in return
for reviews.....But not offered to the 3P marketplace sellers and seems like others picked
this up and created this service to help 3P sellers.
o
o

Reply

Share

o
o

Jim Dave O'Brien

a month ago

Thanks I didn't know that Vine was only for 1P but not 3P. Looks pretty bias.

o
o

Reply

Share

DannyKay

2 months ago

I live in China. This is every day life. Everything is fake. Fake noses, fake tits, fake
creases in the eye lids, fake baby formula, fake iPhones. Welcome to the world of "Do
anything, anywhere, anytime for a dollar" or "RMB".
This behavior on Amazon doesn't even begin to surprise me with the exception of I'm
surprised that it wasn't coming from overseas.
o
o

Reply

Share

o
o

Sumit Bhanote

2 months ago

Madness! What world do we live in where you can buy phony reviews for small gains?
These guys clearly have way too much time on their hands! So much for entrepreneurial
ingenuity! Reviews are essential for new to world products, but in a marketplace where
the competition is fierce, if you don't have a review for a "common" product, most likely,
another merchant or Amazon will!
o
o

Reply

Share

o
o

Steve

2 months ago

Is http://ilovetoreview.com/ breaking any rules?

o
o

Reply

Share

s masty says:
May 8, 2015 at 6:09 am

Id think that even you Ayn Rand worshippers cannot sensibly

deny that Fair Trade pay benefits the individual recipient, if not
the sector or even the neighbourhood. Hence it is charity, but
your language, and sneering anti-middle-class class-warfare,
should have no place in civilised discourse. Does this blog
have editors?
Reply

o Nullius in Verba says:

May 10, 2015 at 12:34 pm

I think Tim is referring to the academic evidence that

FairTrade doesnt significantly help the poor. FairTrade
imposes costs on growers (fees, collectivisation of their
farms, restrictions on use of fertilisers and pesticides) that
counterbalance the extra trade. They compete with other
farmers and other industries in poor countries for the best
workers, which hurts those other businesses, and
induces competition between workers to get into the club
creating a black market race-to-the-bottom on other nonregulated working conditions like hours or worker safety.
And the extra money customers spend on FairTrade
products is not spent on all the other products poor
countries produce.
The scheme works similarly to a labour union closed
shop in which a union seeks a monopoly on the supply
of labour, and uses that to raise prices. The professed
aim is to benefit the members (who pay a fee to the
operators for the privilege) at the expense of the workers
who dont belong to the union and society as a whole. As
with most socialist schemes, its the people running the
operation for the people (who are mostly living in richer
countries) who end up getting most of the benefits.
See http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bruce-wydick/10reasons-fair-trade-coffee-doesnt-work_b_5651663.html fo
r more. (I dont think HuffPo worships Ayn Rand much.)
Ayn Rand of course described several schemes that
worked in much the same way in her books. The
incompetent producers were granted a fair share of the

market by law, at prices above the market rate. The effect

was to drive the more competent producers and
customers out of business, and reduce societys overall
productivity, without in the end really benefiting the
incompetent either.
But I will grant you that its not the middle class per se
that are the problem. Its only the middle class socialists.
And socialists invented class warfare (and so far as I
know have not declared a truce in their war against
capitalism), so its a bit late to complain about it now.
Reply

Nullius in Verba says:

May 10, 2015 at 12:48 pm

This paper might also be of interest.

http://www.griffithsspeaker.com/Fairtrade/Ethical
%20Objections%20to%20Fairtrade%20web.pdf
Although the author does appear to be a
campaigner against FairTrade, so I cant guarantee
its impartiality. The author might even like Ayn Rand.
speliaJune 8, 2012, 2:07 PM
Absolutely fascinating! I also want to add that whenever I try on a fake, I feel very
uncomfortable. It makes me that I am pretending to be someone I am not!
Report as Abuse

Link to This

dlindorffJune 8, 2012, 4:13 PM

A flaw in these studies is that you were limited, it appears at least, to using women
who were in the Duke MBA program. I would submit that people who choose to go
into business are far more likely than the general population to covet wealth and the
accoutrements of success, have a relatively weak set of moral/ethical values ("greed
is good"), and are more inclined than most people on average to measure self-worth
and the worth of others by their wealth or appearance of wealth. This renders the
observations much less significant than if you tried this experiment among a broader
population segment. I suspect you would find that among the classes who will never
in their lives have the money to buy a Prada bag or a Hermes scarf are pleased as
punch to find a fake that looks reasonably like one, and don't feel like cheaters at all,
but rather like a million bucks. Or alternatively, they may feel absolutely no interest
in having such products.
Dave Lindorff
www.thiscantbehappening.net
Report as Abuse

Link to This

jtdwyerJune 9, 2012, 4:12 AM

Yes, 'dlindorff' has hit on the fundamental problem with this study. Selective
populations do not yield results that can be generalized and appiled to all other
populations. Correlation does not establish causation.
Let's give all the nuns in a convent new fake designer shoes and see whether they
change their behavior in any way...
The results of this study are most likely the product of the sampled population's
established value systems than any change directly attributable to fake designer
apparal.
Report as Abuse

Link to This

syhprum1June 9, 2012, 6:31 AM

How in the world can a pair of Sun glasses be worth $100.00 just because they have
some fancy name on them?. what is the difference in the manufacturing costs
between a $5.00 pair and a $100.00 pair
Report as Abuse

Link to This

hanmengJune 9, 2012, 12:13 PM

I'm pretty frugal. I feel like a fake on those rare occasions I display luxury items.
Report as Abuse

Link to This

BGriffinJune 9, 2012, 12:14 PM

There are other problems with this study, aside from the selective population.
Particularly, the set up introduces some strong influences for which there does not
seem to be any consideration.
Subjects were 'lured' with designer items. Telling some the items are genuine and
others that the items are knockoffs creates a very different relationship to the test for
one group as opposed to the other. When a participant is told the item they are
testing is not genuine, it would not be unreasonable for the participant to infer that
the payment promised for their participation would likely also not be a genuine item.
One group is receiving compensation that is in line with what was originally
promised, while the other is receiving something less that what was promised.
The information provided by the 'knockoff' participants is highly likely to be
influenced by the personal loss perceived as a result of the disparity promised versus
received compensation for their participation.
Moreover, the test administrators are acting as an authority in this situation. The
difference in promised versus actual reward at the outset creates a precedent that
dishonesty is an acceptable means to an end.

It isn't hard to imagine a participant rationalizing, 'if they lied to me about the value
of the reward for the number of correct answers, am I not justified in attempting to
correct that damage by over reporting my number of correct answers?'
In the second test, it isn't difficult to imagine the recency of just being deceived
concerning brand name versus knockoff goods would make a participant more likely
to suspect others of deceptive intent.
This isn't just a problem of over reaching final analysis, the entire study is useless,
flawed at the outset by a poorly conceived test.
Report as Abuse

Link to This

BGriffinJune 9, 2012, 1:50 PM

There is something not quite right with this study...
Consider this: participants were lured with total of 40 items (20 handbags, 20
sunglasses). I can find no combination of outcomes that would lead to reporting
30%, 74% and 42% that total for a combined number of 40 participants...nor 39, nor
38, nor 37...
It seems the author either lacks understanding of something very basic (e.g.
significant figures), or might have been wearing an excess of knockoff fashion when
writing this book. Whatever the excuse, I don't place a lot of faith in the conclusions.
Report as Abuse

Link to This

BGriffinJune 9, 2012, 2:07 PM

...also concerning the above comment, the fact that there was not a statistical
difference between 30% and 42% indicates a small sample size, so it is unlikely that
the 40 items were leveraged (for example by making the reward 'a chance to win') to
increase sample size.

I could be wrong, so if anyone else can see how the data from the test could result in
results of 30% (29.5%-30.49%), 42% (41.5% - 42.49%), and 74% (73.5% - 74.49%)
from a combined sample size of 40 or less....or any sample size small enough that
there is no statistical significance between 30% and 42% assuming standard 0.05 p
value, please enlighten me.
Report as Abuse

Link to This

MikekJune 9, 2012, 10:42 PM

The sample size would be 120. The people being tested did not keep or expect to keep
the glasses.

Missy Neveradullmoment via Google+

3 months ago - Shared publicly

still one of my most popular blog posts with almost 26,000 hits. I will be doing more fake makeup
items over the next few weeks :)

Reply

Missy Neveradullmoment
1 year ago - Shared publicly

How to spot a Fake Mac Beauty item from a Real one...

I am on an 'Anti fakes' mission. I really do have a massive pet peeve on people buying and selling

fake items. There is nothing worse than a blogger preaching about great products that you know is a
fake, surely her rave would be even higher if it was the g...

Reply

4 months ago

great post thank you so much

Pauline Reyes
4 months ago

Great post, everybody should read this! There are really lots of fake MAC cosmetics in the market
today. xo, ~Pauline @ <a href="http://www.kallony.com.ph/brand/mac" rel="nofollow">MAC
Philippines</a>

Mona Abbasi
7 months ago

Great post! I am currently living overseas (temporarily for sure!) where there are more fakes than
originals, so this is super helpful. Btw, I appreciate your level of OCD ; ) Thanks and keep it up!

Mona Abbasi
7 months ago

Great post! I am currently living overseas (temporarily!) where there are more fakes than originals so
this is super helpful. Btw I appreciate your level of OCD ; ) Keep up the great work!

sanam arzoo
7 months ago

Great information. Thanks for providing us such a useful information. Keep up the good work and
continue providing us more quality information from time to time. <a
href="http://tipsoncosmetics.com/lipsticks/" rel="nofollow">Lipsticks</a>

9 months ago

Great! I can now figure out the difference

littlemissstyleguru
1 year ago

Great post hunny it's me littlemissinstaguru from Instagram or littlemissstyleguru youtube and my
blog. This was an amazing read as I don't own much mac but wouldn't buy off eBay now not that I
ever have I have only bought from store but I could spot the lipstick so this is so helpful. Would love
you to follow by blog if you read this b4 u give birth and good luck with birth if I don't get chance b4
to wish you luck mwha xxxxxxx

beano54
1 year ago

A great & most helpful post Thank you for helping us by buying fakes who would do this appreciate it
I always get my mac from debenhams as I prefer paying higher price to get the real thing Any tips on
fake brushes as there are so many on ebay for people who buy them on there Ebay should be
stronger & punish the sellers who do this ripping people off

Francesca Merwiak
1 year ago

Omg Thank You, before i saw your post on instagram i was bidding on mac products on ebay which i
now realise are fake and i don't have to pay for them :) going to save up my money and buy from the
shop x

Missy Neveradullmoment
1 year ago

Oh thank goodness francesca!! don't pay for them! Glad i could help, mac is expensive but if we
save it feels better buying it :) try blogsales too plenty of women sell mac products

Yue Rain
1 year ago

Good post on MAC. Most of MAC lipsticks has vanila smell to it and generally heavier. Yeah, better
use some reputable than risking hurting the skin. http://beautyfaceskin123.blogspot.com/

Missy Neveradullmoment
1 year ago

so true hun :-) Mac lipsticks always smell soooo lovely

Michelle Hung
1 year ago

This is crazy! My friend was telling me to get concealer via ebay the other day to save a few pennies
and thanks to this post i gonna stick to the store! virgosandkisses.blogspot.co.uk

Missy Neveradullmoment
1 year ago

there are so many amazing drugstore concealers hun, try blogsales too can get some proper
bargains :-)

Astrid Lam
1 year ago

AMAZING POST!! I feel the same way too, hate when someone is trying to sell you fake products! I
will definitely look into the regulations and all that, sounds very interesting! loved this post :)

Missy Neveradullmoment
1 year ago

The post is really good, i threw away all my china make up after reading it lol, its hard to know
sometimes though coz people in uk can sell chinese make up too :-(

Elle and Blair Fowler (Allthatglitters21 and Juicystar07). I believe I

watched an entire (obviously sponsored) tutorial on their teeth
brushing routine and decided it was time to find something better to
watch...

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[][deleted] 55 points 1 year ago

I stopped watching them a couple years ago.

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[]michelle_mybellefull coverage Queen 51 points 1 year ago

I was subscribed to Blair years and years ago when she was 15 and
doing makeup tutorials and hauls in her bedroom. It was kind of sad to
see that fade into a once-a-month sponsored video. It's nice that she
became extremely successful, but her Youtube content got straight up
lazy.

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[]aredditorsgfMakeup Artist & Lipstick Hoarder 29 points 1 year ago

I used to love her videos! Different tutorials all week, and she would
get SO excited over a MAC haul that she saved up for while working at
a restaurant.

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[]dr_wotsit 6 points 1 year ago

This is why I started watching her, sweet girl who saved up and was
genuinely excited about every product she saved up to buy. Not the
lazy money churning videos she makes now.

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[]images-ofbrokenlight 25 points 1 year ago

Their videos are too long! Ain't nobody got time fo dat

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[]FFC800NC43 or 42 or whatever 22 points 1 year ago

They over-explain the simplest things sometimes.

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[]Scarl0tHarl0t 9 points 1 year ago

I feel like that's sort of a "Rachel Ray" effect ie. Those who started
watching RR in the very beginning know what she means by "EVOO"
and "garbage bowl" but it got really annoying when she'd mention it
every ep.
Disclaimer: I remember RR from about 15 years ago and have not
followed her for a long time.

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[]MixxedOpinionHigh on Highlighters 3 points 1 year ago

And then she starts selling regular bowls as 'garbage bowls.'

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[]doingitforjohnny 49 points 1 year ago

YUP. And their voices...I just can't.

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[]dr_wotsit 16 points 1 year ago

"Lets go ahead and get started. Im just gonna go ahead and grab my
eyeshadows. Then Im gonna go ahead and load them on the brush,
then go ahead and pat them on"

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[]balenciagaaCurious Bystander 9 points 1 year ago

I couldn't finish watching any video because I couldn't stand their

voices

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[]OklasChica 5 points 1 year ago

I stopped watching both of them because they started to sound like

infomercials. I also couldn't handle Blair's voice.

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[]prosummobonoMono-lid Mojo 2 points 1 year ago

Holy shit I remember watching some of their videos like super long
time ago. Wow they've surely grown up.

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[]mmiu 256 points 1 year ago

I agree about Michelle Phan. On the other side is Lisa Eldridge, a long
time professional who has stated many times she gets every week a
van full of products for free, but she shows and tries only the ones she
really like. But she's another level and definitely not a typical youtuber.

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[]StormThestral 220 points 1 year ago

Lisa Eldridge lives on another plane of existence far above most

youtubers and mere mortals.

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[]happygolizzy 61 points 1 year ago

I especially love when she did a video for pale girls. Helped me try to
figure out what colors I should be using :)
Also, I may have a lady crush on her, but eh

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[]bonjourellenmascara + tea + blogs 23 points 1 year ago

Lisa Eldridge is a goddess among women. She's the first YouTuber who
made me really excited about makeup. My lady crush is real, man.

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[]what_the_a 29 points 1 year ago

"Crush" doesn't accurately describe my love for Lisa. I introduced my

sister to her as well and she watches her videos all the time on her
ipad, propped up on her preggy belly. Her husband jokes that the baby
is going to think Lisa is her mom! haha.

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[]hardlight2 10 points 1 year ago

Link to her pale girl tutorial?

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[]aymgonHopelessly Addicted 16 points 1 year ago

Here ya go

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[]hardlight2 2 points 1 year ago

Thank you!

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[]soapyrainBatting her lashes 2 points 1 year ago

There are also a couple of pale makeup vids with Mary Greenwell as a
guest artist. Ugggghghhhhh so amazing. Definitely watch those too!

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[]mmiu 25 points 1 year ago

I think the plain awesome things about her are:

she's just enjoying makeup and it's always written on her face;

she is such a professional and really busy, yet she decided to

promote her work with tutorials. I really hope she gets good profit
from this (links in her website give her profit for example, but I hope
she has some other dividends too).

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[]CB4life"Yes, they're real... my lashes that is." 9 points 1 year ago

I don't know that much about the industry, but if you are doing the
makeup for celebrity magazine covers, I think you get work. I sort of
like that she leaves a lot of the business aspect out of things, unless
it's relevant- you can just tell she enjoys the art of makeup, and wants
to share that with the world.

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[]faircreatures 6 points 1 year ago

Her husband is the Creative Director for Vogue UK, so I'm pretty sure
she's set in that department. (Obviously not that she couldn't go it on
her own, but it's nice to know she's not doing it for the money - she
genuinely enjoys it.)

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[]bigpuffyclouds 66 points 1 year ago

I also respect Lisa Eldridge for not opting for the YouTube partnership.
I like that she spares us the trouble of sitting/skipping through
commercials.

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[]terribleatkaraoke 23 points 1 year ago

Whoa ok that's pretty awesome of her

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[]warsnare 29 points 1 year ago

The thought that Lisa Eldridge and Michelle Phan in the same
sentence. Lol. I can't believe MP put up an "organic" skincare advice
on rubbing Lemon and Sugar on face to exfoliate. Guess we've all gone
through the phase of falling in and out of love with MP over the course
of her YT career.
Lisa Eldridge is so supreme, total admiration for her. Especially I love
her simplicity in sometimes just a layer or eyeshadow + mascara, no
harsh rules on 2-3 eyeshadows, tight lining + eyeliner. No emphasis on
the trendy "contouring" as we now associate with and just pretty blush
to bring youth and vitality to a look.

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[]mmiu 9 points 1 year ago

Yeah, and I suspect Michelle really likes to use fingers in her recent
videos just because she still doesn't have brushes in her brand... Or
she has, but just a few? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think
she avoids using brushes for some reason.

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[]warsnare 7 points 1 year ago

Oh i didnt know that! I've stopped spending time on her videos. The
last I watched of her was during the time of Lancome phase which she
used lots of Lancome brushes.
Perhaps she's using fingers for her younger followers who still can't
invest in brushes? It would still be exciting to see if she does launch
makeup brushes!

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[]BlipblipbloopShimmer Junkie 9 points 1 year ago

They'd be overpriced though, just like the rest of her makeup line.

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[]mmiu 2 points 1 year ago

She launched a whole makeup brand of her own, I guess she'll have
brushes anytime soon. That, if she doesn't have already - I watch her
really rarely now, just when I want to brainwash myself a little.

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[]CB4life"Yes, they're real... my lashes that is." 6 points 1 year ago

Yep, I don't really consider Lisa a youtuber like the rest- she is an
awesome makeup applying deity who happens to grace youtube with
her videos :)

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[]cbk123 6 points 1 year ago

I am now obsessed with her haha

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[]acidpop5 2 points 1 year ago

I'm tired so in the first sentence I thought you where dissing Lisa
Eldridge, so I was post this big whole rant about how great she was.
But instead I agree with everything you just said

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[]mmiu 2 points 1 year ago

Lol it was my English I guess, I sometimes can't put a decent sentence

together.

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[][deleted] 2 points 1 year ago

my love for Lisa knows no limits tbh

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[]madderadder 324 points 1 year ago

This kind of thing is one of the reasons I stopped watching Michelle

Phan's videos (the other major reason being that she started putting

out a lot of other, not-makeup content that I just wasn't interested in).
The videos just started to seem too much like advertisements.

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[]love-from-londonYSL B10 43 points 1 year ago

I've only seen a few of them, but Charlotte Tilbury does the same
thing now. Just seems like every video is an ad for one of her
products.

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[]aredditorsgfMakeup Artist & Lipstick Hoarder 25 points 1 year ago

Just seems like every video is an ad for all of her products.

FTFY.

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[]bonjourellenmascara + tea + blogs 5 points 1 year ago

To be fair, the one product of hers I own (the Uptown Girl palette) is
pretty amazing, so she's at least promoting products she believes
in. However, as I'm not planning to buy anything else from her line (at
least for a whilethat stuff gets expensive fast), I completely
understand where you're coming from.

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[]madderadder 4 points 1 year ago

Definitely. I feel slightly less annoyed by CT because she's a real pro

MUA and really knows what she's talking about, but then I wonder
whether she's only using her own products because they're truly better
somehow or if it's just because they're hers and she's promoting them.

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[]monica_joanNC40, oily skin 59 points 1 year ago

To me, she's a major sellout.

I wrote this from another post awhile ago, I'd like to mention it again.
I'd like to jump on Michelle Phan hate bandwagon. Once, she told her
viewers that she will do a meet and greet at Sephora Times Square. I
was ecstatic since I live so close. I got there and there was a line. As I
was walking to the line, one of the Sephora/lacome staff told me I had
to purchase a lancome product to actually meet her. I don't even like
Lancome. If you go in you'll see Michelle signing autograph and heavily
guarded by Lancome staff. You can't even get up close and take a
photo of her. When I left, there was a group of young women who
looked to be middle schoolers looking through the glass just to see her.
They all wanted to meet her but they didn't have any money to
purchase Lancome products. I felt sad for them. She never mentioned
you needed to purchase Lancome products to meet her on her
statuses and video. That night, I checked her Facebook wall. Everyone
was complaining about how they did not know they had to buy
something in order to meet her, take a photo with her and get her
signature. She replies and says no that's not true and she said she
didn't know about all of this either. She also dismissed the complains
by saying something like "Don't worry guys I will do more meet and
greets soon"

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[]warsnare 19 points 1 year ago

I remember your post when i first joined /r/makeupaddicts

But funny story, thats the thread that made me drop out of that
subreddit until recently. Not your comment, yours is legit, its the
overall comments that felt like a witch hunt.
I mean most of us have grown up and out w Michelle Phan. I am no
longer a fan of hers but the cohesive aggression towards her was a bit
much.
Yet I'm sorry about your bitter experience, excitement met with
disappointment is the worst! :/
Edit : i can't reddit.

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[]monica_joanNC40, oily skin 5 points 1 year ago

That was the second time I went to see her on a meet and greet. The
first time was Fashion Night out in 2010. All we had to do was to be
there to meet her. I left early to go see other events but I saw many
took photos with her afterwards.
I thought the 2nd time around would be just as fun.
I felt embarrassed for some of her younger fans. I overheard a girl say
if she would have known she had to pay, she would have borrowed
some money :(

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[]birdyhugsas-little-as-possible buy? 27 points 1 year ago

Michelle Phan was best in her oldest videos that she did before she got
sponsored/really huge online. I rewatched some of her videos from 3-5
years ago and they seem so much more... genuine? than her newest
ones. ):

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[]_WorldsTallestMidget 23 points 1 year ago

When I watch one of her videos (when I used to watch them) I'd just
think "meh" but with other gurus I'd be like "HELL YEA GIRL ROCK
THAT SHIT"
She just doesnt keep my attention, don't know what it is about her

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[]MixxedOpinionHigh on Highlighters 2 points 1 year ago*

I agree, even when she does different 'looks' I was always pretty
nonplussed.
Spanish dancer look = MP with smudged liner and a flower in her hair
Night on the town look = MP doing the same stuff she always does,
except she uses slightly darker colors.
Quality over quantity. The content is just...lacking, and I feel like she
would tell me anything as long as she got paid enough.
Edit: Has anyone seen the banner she has with Diet Dr. Pepper? MP +
fucking Diet Dr. Pepper...cause that makes sense.

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[]ohsweetjesusmytitsevamarionmakeup.wordpress.com 65 points 1 year ago

That and her voice irritates me so much, it makes me want to go to

sleep.

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[]nick_caves_moustachenw like negative fuckin' 5 92 points 1 year ago

She just sounds so, so, so fake.

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[]fauxhee 95 points 1 year ago

That's exactly the aura I get from her. Fake-sweet and fake-cute :/
also all the mugging at the camera with her boyfriend kind of feels like
she's showing him off instead of her look.

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[]SnooSnooCookiesales kill me 11 points 1 year ago

I think she's just showing him off, definitely.

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[]ohsweetjesusmytitsevamarionmakeup.wordpress.com 46 points 1 year ago

It just sounds so pretentious and soooooft and the fact that I can hear
her mouth when she talks shudder.

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[]AgnesNitt 23 points 1 year ago

Hey so funny story? That is exactly why I started watching Mechelle

Phan videos. Her voice was so soothing that I would watch a few
before bedtime and they would put me right to sleep. Although it
always did annoy me how many participles she left dangling.

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[]coconimulaig: @outer_senshi 6 points 1 year ago

/r/asmr

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[]kochipoikNew Zild 13 points 1 year ago

I just looked up her YouTube channel and thought that the main
video was an advertisement. It's actually a "tutorial" but it was...
strange. Plus, it looks like she's speaking but it's dubbed over

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[]madderadder 4 points 1 year ago

Oh my god that is so unsettling. D:

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[]Ashurii1990Clueless Newbie 9 points 1 year ago

I had watched Michelle when I was really young, when she was making
videos in her dining room. I stopped watching a year or so ago
because her videos to me seemed to lack emotion of any sort. They
were almost zombie like. It was really upsetting.

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[]trolleydipUse it or lose it 81 points 1 year ago

If someone is pushing the Sigma brush line, I assume they are

sponsored. I remember when they first came out at the company sent
out their brushes, and so many people were comparing them to MAC
(also they had the same MAC numbers). But a few youtubers actually
did critical reviews, pros and cons and all that jazz.
I think by some FCC (?) rule, people have to disclose if they paid for a
product or if it was sent to them. That is often helpful. That and a
willingness to say negative things about a product they clearly didn't
purchase (michael todd, benefit, tarte, sigma).

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[]whuubeccarebeccashoresmua.com IG/YT: RebeccaShoresMUA 29 points 1 year ago

I have a quick question for you. I am a beauty blogger, but a new one
and I have never got products sent to me, nor can I be a Sigma
affiliate since I don't have enough views per month yet. I am working
on my post of next week and it is a brush guide, most of my brushes
are Sigma, should I reconsider doing this? Will most viewers assume I
am just sponsored?

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[]chicklette 101 points 1 year ago

Wayne Goss always states when he's paid his own money for things. I
find that helpful in lending him credibility.

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[]trolleydipUse it or lose it 29 points 1 year ago

I don't think that someone liking Sigma, or using the brushes as

examples is something that bothers me. It's a dishonest assessment of
the quality, or comparisons when doing reviews. I've heard and read
great things about the Sigmax line, for instance, but if someone says

the face brushes don't shed, or the eye brushes are high quality, I'm
going to tune out.

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[]whuubeccarebeccashoresmua.com IG/YT: RebeccaShoresMUA 18 points 1 year ago

Okay, good to hear. I like my Sigma brushes, but I would call them
mid-end brushes, not high quality, but they work well enough. I just
don't want to have people thinking that I am being dishonest when I
post. Thanks!

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[]miss_shellehIG @shellyranaemua 11 points 1 year ago

I'm not sponsored and have never had a sigma brush shed a single
hair.

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[]bmoviescreamqueenHopelessly Addicted 3 points 1 year ago

My blush brush has never shed, I can say that for certain. I also really
enjoy the eye brush that came with the Paris palette.

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[]magicalmysterycake 11 points 1 year ago

Just state that you are not sponsored in the post, I see it done all the
time.

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[]SayJo 8 points 1 year ago

You should do it! I specifically look for reviews of sigma brushes from
bloggers with a smaller following- because I want to avoid watching
reviews from affiliates.

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[]Purpleotterbox6 5 points 1 year ago

Couldn't you make it clear that you are not sponsored? Edit: just by
saying so at the beginning or something.

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[][deleted] 3 points 1 year ago

Will you PM me (or post, if it's allowed) your beauty blog site? Always
looking to support a fellow MUAer!

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[]jenn0008 3 points 1 year ago

This! I have always wondered about the actual quality of Sigma.

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[]txjulietOilyAcneProneLight 17 points 1 year ago

I have one sigma brush, the f80, and it's really good. Better then Eco
tools or real techniques. Super soft and applies/blends foundation so
fast. I got for Christmas with an amazon gift card.

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[]magicalmysterycake 12 points 1 year ago

I bought some after watching an xSparkage video where she talks

about the advanced artistry sets (although I got their basic eye set or
something like that instead since I don't have many brushes). They
are awesome, I can't imagine not having them now. I had some
shadows that I thought were garbage, but when I applied them with
my new brushes I actually got great color pay off. I'll be a customer of
theirs for a long time :)

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[]samisalsa 9 points 1 year ago

I have the Mr. Bunny set and have had it for almost a year, and just
purchased the F80 separately. I do not regret the purchase even a
little. They are all so dense and soft, and I have not noticed a single
shed hair even when washing. I still plan on buying more.
Their eyeshadow does make me skeptical, but I was considering giving
it a shot since I like the brushes so much.

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[]butseriouslyfolksMakeup Artist 2 points 1 year ago

I haven't tried any of the regular line eyeshadow, but I got the Creme
de Couture palette and it's really nice. Soft, blendable, pretty good
pigmentation across the board, especially for matte pastels. If the

quality of Creme de Couture is indicative of their regular eyeshadows,

I'd say go for it.

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[][deleted] 2 points 1 year ago

I've had a bad experience with their E40 brush. I've had cheap
brushes in my youth, but NOTHING has shed like this thing. I just got
it last month and it's already relegated to the shit pile. I've seriously
never had shedding like this before. I was wholly unprepared for it,
especially with this brand and with the cheers it gets online. To make
matters worse, I could blend better with my finger than with a brush
that leaves more hair on my shirt than my cat. You could say I'm a
less-than-happy consumer in this department and I sincerely wish I
weren't. It's back to Mac for me.

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[]stumbleprettyAll Neutral Everything 7 points 1 year ago

I bought an F80 that shed a lot when I first washed it, admittedly
months after I got it. I shot Sigma an email letting them know that I
was disappointed and they responded the next day, asking for my
email so they could send me a replacement. they didn't ask for a
picture or anything. they also sent me a discount code for a future
order for the inconvenience. I've never had a brush from them shed
since.

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[]SayJo 2 points 1 year ago

I have the E40 and it's TERRIBLE. It sheds all over my face! I have a
few other eye brushes from sigma and they don't shed, but I wasn't
particularly impressed with them, either. My real techniques eye
brushes are better quality than my sigma ones.
I LOVE my sigma F88 and F40, though.

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[]MegatronBeauty 2 points 1 year ago

I have a set of Sigma brushes and after two years they're still in
GREAT condition. They're soft, they don't brittle, and I can honestly
say I've never had any issues with Sigma brushes. You should
definitely try them.

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[]mysteries1984 3 points 1 year ago

Me too. People rave about the brushes so I bought two (just two
singles) on Black Friday and while they're good, they're not as
amazing as I had thought, given all the rave reviews.
I also see a lot of Sedona Lace and Zoeva brush talk. I haven't looked
into them too much but they just seem like private labelled stuff to
me.

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[]jenn0008 70 points 1 year ago

I do watch most of the bigger gurus but I usually take what they say
with a grain of salt. Most of them are sponsored. If you see any
Youtuber that shows a product and then says "I have a promo code for

you guys!" it is sponsored and I usually stay far away. Famous

Youtubers are sent tons of products each month. That's why they are
always doing "skincare routine" or "get ready with me" videos every
month, so they can include as many products but make it seem
realistic. If a lot of Youtubers are talking about the same random brand
I have never heard of, its probably sponsored and I will never buy into
it. Theres a few brands (which I won't name) that I will probably never
buy because they seem to be suddenly hyped up when they advertised
through beauty gurus on Youtube.

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[]curryo 47 points 1 year ago

It's really insane how many products these YouTube gurus squeeze in
to their videos trying to make it seem believable. The one who comes
to mind is Missglamorazzi. She will film a "get ready with me" video
that easily has 30 products in it, and she'll act like she really does use
each product every day. Then a month later she'll have a new one for
her bedtime routine with an almost entirely different set of products.
Even more than how expensive it would be to keep up with that
volume of product, how on earth would anyone have time to keep all
of it up?

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[]jenn0008 24 points 1 year ago

Yeah she is exactly who I meant, and a lot of other gurus do it too, like
a new "Foundation Routine" or "Morning Routine" every month or so.
Then they do "Getting ready for a date" "Nighttime routine" and you
realise that they aren't using ANY of the same products they raved
about only a few videos before it.

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[]fauxhee 12 points 1 year ago

I hate that!! "It's my FAVORITE foundation!" And a month later they're

using a totally different one in "Every day look tutorial".

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[]mynameisnotjaneOH GOD I NEED DIS 22 points 1 year ago

You sometimes don't even have to go to another video to know that

their so called favourite product is a lie.
"It's my favourite blush, I use it all the time!" shows a brand new
untouched blush

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[]curryo 8 points 1 year ago*

Totally. It drives me crazy when a guru raves about a certain

foundation and I go out and buy it, only for her to never mention it
again and instantly find a new "best foundation she's ever used."

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[]rainbowcabbageLipstick Queen 5 points 1 year ago

To be fair I go through fads with my foundation all the time. They all
tend to be my 'favourites' at some point. I see what you are getting at
though!

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[]fatpiggieginger pig 20 points 1 year ago

I just watched her latest; what really sets me off that products could
be sponsored is her lack of viable information; "it's just so awesome!"
uh huh..but why is it awesome? "I love it, it's awesome". Using the
same term to describe something vaguely = sponsored for me lol.

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[]kochipoikNew Zild 2 points 1 year ago

I have been wondering how they seem to have the money to keep
changing between products so often. Now I'm like - duh.

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[]crashings 45 points 1 year ago

Wow, I feel silly now that I've never even questioned frequent
"routine" or "get ready with me" videos. That makes so much sense.
It's a shame, because I actually really like "real" get ready with me
videos as someone who still considers herself a novice - it's fun and
useful for me to watch someone else's routine and take mental notes.

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[]jenn0008 7 points 1 year ago

Sorry I didn't mean to make you feel silly! Theres nothing wrong with
watching these videos or even buying the products. I watch the videos
because I am interested in seeing what new lines and products are out
just so I can have a general knowledge of makeup. I do buy stuff they
mention sometimes but only if its a brand I have used or at least
heard of before. As a rule of thumb I always look up reviews because
Youtubers can be biased. It's very easy to believe what they say
because they do advertise/promote products in a realistic way by
including them in routines or explaining how the products worked for
them. I'm sure most of the products are good products but just be

careful if they ever mention a special deal, promo code, or a new

brand you have never heard of. Make sure you research beyond
Youtube :)

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[]crashings 3 points 1 year ago

Oh, I didn't mean it in a bad way or like I was blaming you for
anything! An insincere video doesn't really help anyone, so I think I'm
actually much better off now looking at those videos with a critical
eye :) I mean, it's super obvious when endorsements are happening in
favorites videos or reviews, but "get ready" videos are sneaky. I think
they're better for inspiration than following step by step with the exact
same products, anyway.

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[]thefriendlypickleQuality over quantity 4 points 1 year ago

Random story time:

I was watching a GRWM by a newer "guru" and towards the end of the
video she included a little blurb about how she knows people prefer
talk-a-alongs instead of voiceovers but she films "get ready with
me" videos in the middle of the night when everyone is
sleeping so she can only do voiceovers.
I literally stopped and asked myself where the duck is this chick going
on in the middle of the night with a full face on?! After that I was
done. I believe nothing I see. I now only watch hauls to maybe see a
new product out at Sephora or MAC that I've never seen before and
tutorials by professional muas rather than hobbyists. Nothing else.
I miss the youtube circa 2006-7... sigh

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[]FindingEsperanza 3 points 1 year ago

When literally everyone started talking about the PMD pro, I knew it
was so obviously sponsored.

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[]tallulahblue 34 points 1 year ago

missJenFABULOUS.
She did a swap with New Zealand Youtube beauty guru Shaaanxo.
They both decided to spend $400. In the states, you can get A LOT of
high end stuff for that. In New Zealand, everything is about 2-3 times
the price.
Shaan sent Jen a lot of New Zealand and Australian products that Jen
wouldn't be able to get in the states, along with NZ chocolate, and a
perfume. The perfume on it's own would have been over $100. Shaan
said she spent more than $400 because she felt bad that Jen wouldn't
get as much from her in return.
In Shaan's video opening Jen's stuff, she was SUPER excited and
grateful.
In Jen's video opening Shaan's stuff she looked visibly disappointed.
With every single NZ-brand gift she said, "I haven't heard of this
brand, let me know if you have tried it." Then at the end of the video
she straight up said she was hoping for better, more high end stuff like
MAC. Didn't even pretend to be happy or grateful or polite.
Why the hell would she want Shaan to spend 2-3 times as much for
MAC stuff Jen could have gotten herself in the states for cheaper?
THEN when Shaan's fans commented on the video explaining the price
difference of makeup in NZ and how it made no sense for Shaan to

spend so much on stuff Jen could get herself for cheaper... and that
the NZ brands Shaan had sent were good quality... Jen deleted / didn't
publish any of these comments. Any comment that made her look bad
was deleted. So the video is full of comments saying how Shaan gave
her shit stuff, probably products she got for free, etc. Comments from
NZers are kept when they say things like, "I'm from NZ and those are
crap brands and she didn't spend $400 on you" (which isn't true) but
comments saying they are good brands are deleted.
ALSO MissJenFABULOUS also steals people's nail art and doesn't give
them credit / claims she created it herself. Google it.

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[]breannabalaamon a strict no buy 10 points 1 year ago

Wow what an ungrateful bitch.

I would be so freaking excited if someone from NZ wanted to do a
swap with me (and I had the money to do it). I wouldn't even be mad
if it wasn't all makeup.

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[]emdoubleewe 3 points 1 year ago

I unsubscribed from her after watching that video!

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[]_leelee 33 points 1 year ago

Everyone who is being sponsored by audible. Yeah, I'm sure you're

listening to a new audio book every video you post. Juicystar07 in her
latest video mentions it. She also had some video where puffs (the

tissues) sponsored her. It was comical the way she was working it into
the video, and the viewers definitely noticed.

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[]fetishiste 8 points 1 year ago

God, I wish I could do something sponsored by Audible, because I

listen to basically a new audiobook every week anyway. Least
challenging thing ever to work in, though it's deeply irrelevant to
makeup.

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[]throw-away-todayCurious Bystander 5 points 1 year ago

Do you remember which video? That sounds hilarious.

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[]Hannadi 3 points 1 year ago

I think it's her office makeover video!

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[]_leelee 3 points 1 year ago

Here's one I believe there was also another one where she worked it
"casually in".

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[]kmv09460 115 points 1 year ago

Missglamorazzi. I saw her most recent video - daily skincare maybe? and she spent about half the video talking about Whitening Lightning.
So, same as always basically.

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[]etheressence 35 points 1 year ago

I don't even see her do makeup tutorials anymore, which is a shame

because I love the way she does her makeup. I was subscribed for so
long but I really don't care about what kind of food she eats, what her
apartment looks like or what's in her purse. I just want some freaking
makeup (and sometimes hair) tutorials! I guess the outfit videos are
ok since we have similar taste, but I really don't care about her
personal life but it seems like the fame got to her.

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[]bananablueberrydark lip junkie 5 points 1 year ago

I like what's in my purse videos cause 1) purses are my second love

and 2) I like to see what makeup people bring with them

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[]MixxedOpinionHigh on Highlighters 13 points 1 year ago

Ughhh Whitening Lightning. Do they really think we're all idiots and
don't know what's up???

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[]PhoneJazz 6 points 1 year ago

I loved watching her videos, she seems so sweet, it's a shame that she
has turned into a shill. Reminds me of What not to Wear when

Carmindy would finish the makeup and say "now, polish up your look
with some Crest brand Whitestrips!"

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[]OvaryActingFemale 5 points 1 year ago

"After I put on my toner, I light up my teeth..." - Miss Shamorazzi

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[]makeupiscoolI wish there was a makeup thrift shop 8 points 1 year ago

Ugh, my little sister bought teeth whitener from there. She said I
should buy their brow box. I'll stick with plain brown shadows, thanks.

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[]julreese 60 points 1 year ago

Bethany Mota (macbarbie07) is one who comes to mind. She's similar

to missglamorazzi in the sense that she's constantly doing "get ready
with me" and "this that and the other thing routine" and the products
are never the same. It just got tiring. And a lot of Bethany's videos are
thing that I don't care about, like random DIY or cooking.

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[]brookelz 12 points 1 year ago

That's true, but I don't really consider Macbarbie07 as a

beauty/makeup guru. She's always been pretty versatile with her
videos and changes it up a lot between beauty, fashion, hair, and DIY.
And most of her videos are aimed towards teenage girls.

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[]michelle_mybellefull coverage Queen 20 points 1 year ago

I have to agree. I stuck around for a while for the fashion aspect, but
her style got...... weird. Mega-trendy and just odd. Is it also weird that
I stopped watching because of her lack of skin issues? I mean I have
oily skin and acne, there is no way I could measure the worth of a
product based on how it looks/works on her.

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[]maroonrice"Yes, they're real... my lashes that is." 18 points 1 year ago

She has her own clothing line for aeropostale now haha.

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[]michelle_mybellefull coverage Queen 3 points 1 year ago

Yeah I actually saw her at a mall in my area a few weeks ago. She was
in the Aeropostale checking out the line I guess.

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[]anaccountiguessboth ashamed and proud to be a VIB Rouge 29 points 1 year ago

Once you get to a certain number of followers, you are going to get a
ton of offers to get sent free makeup, skincare, clothes, accessories.
The good, honest Youtubers will disclose when they get sent products.
I know a few Youtubers personally who get sent products and don't
review (and sometimes send back) the products they don't like
because they don't want to say negatives things on their channels,
they'd rather celebrate the things they DO like.

To each their own, but there are definitely a lot of sponsored

youtubers/bloggers out there and it's hard to know which are biased
and which aren't!

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[]love-from-londonYSL B10 31 points 1 year ago

I know Sharon Farrell says she doesn't accept products if the company
says that you have to give a positive review.

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[]ZeelaiBeauty Blogger 2 points 1 year ago

This is common practice within press though, its called press-ethics.

Accepting products that require a good review is a breach against the
marketing law here in Sweden. I have no clue about american
marketing laws though, I would assume something should regulate
misleading advertising? :o

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[]SlightlyAmbiguous 8 points 1 year ago

One of my favorite gurus ciaoobelllaxo is so good about being honest

about what's sent to her and giving honest reviews about what she
gets for free. There was a nyx haul she did that was very honest and
straightforward about what she did and didn't like, and that just makes
her reviews so much more credible to me.
Nyx haul here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZbK6L9a0p8

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[]breannabalaamon a strict no buy 34 points 1 year ago

I still watch her videos occasionally, but MissJessicaHarlow has become

really sponsored lately. 99% of the products she uses in tutorials now
are from the ipsy glam bags. Same thing with CharismaStar (I actually
unfollowed her because her life is just too perfect and I was sick of her
bragging about it).

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[]norbertmonster 18 points 1 year ago

i never liked charismastar to being with. her tutorials and looks were
so gaudy and found her personality annoying. she won the whole nyx
face competition thing and tbh I think it should have gone to
madeyewlook. I feel like she won because she slapped a bunch of
things all over the place and called it original.

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[]rosesnrubiesMoney poor, but makeup rich 11 points 1 year ago

Alright I am a huge judgmental bitch, but while I could handle her

occasionally her husband was annoying as hell. The "poser" vibe
pulsed off him like whoa

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[]monica_joanNC40, oily skin 5 points 1 year ago

I used to adore Charismastar and I enjoyed the way her and her
husband filmed her earlier videos. Then she did this makeup tutorial
where she kisses her husband almost every after she applies
something on her face (it looked like they were going to town with
their lips) it really irked me for some reason and I just never watched
her videos again!
"Hi my BEAUTIFULSHINNINGSTARS!"

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[]Holy_shnikiesHopelessly Addicted 17 points 1 year ago

MISSJESSICAHARLOW. She's associated with ipsy, which is fine, but

she only does looks with her ipsy stuff. And her makeup tutorials are
subpar to begin with.

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[][deleted] 7 points 1 year ago

I just watched one of her videos to see what you were talking about.
In the one I watched, there is like a 30 second montage of her winking
and smiling at the camera. So creepy and weird.

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[]Holy_shnikiesHopelessly Addicted 4 points 1 year ago

Girl, don't even try and watch more of hers. They're all like that.
There's a fine line between confidence and narcissism and she walks it
every day.

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[]devil_girl_from_mars 13 points 1 year ago

Omg, when I first found her on youtube, I watched a good hour of her
videos. She does that stupid seductive batting her lashes in slow
motion at the camera and then smiling. She did it like 10x per video
and i wanted to die

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[]Holy_shnikiesHopelessly Addicted 8 points 1 year ago

Was gonna EDIT my post and say that! In her latest one she just does
eyes. Not brows, not foundation not even lip color! The last 2 minutes
are her in slow mo!

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[]devil_girl_from_mars 7 points 1 year ago

Haha!! I know, I just watched a video of hers to make sure and it

wasn't just me mis-remembering, and yep, at least 5 times of slow-mo
seductive lash batting. Its like seriously lady cut the shit

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[]Folding__stars 15 points 1 year ago*

Amarixe. I loved her when I first found her, then she started imitating
missglamorazzi and as she got more popular she became very shady
about saying when things were sent to her for free. I believe it started
with the Michael Todd skincare stuff everyone started showing in their
videos. They all admitted they were sent to them for free except for
her. I don't trust any of her reviews anymore.

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[]yadi_1690 14 points 1 year ago

I like how you can tell what the free stuff is because suddenly a bunch
of them all start "loving" the same products. Micheal Todd, Travalo,
etc.

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[]blushbun 13 points 1 year ago*

I used to like Missglamorazzi alot, but now her videos are so obviously
sponsored. On a random note, all she says nowadays is "UH-MAYZING," "SO awesome," "freakin amazing," I'm OBSESSED," or "I'm SO
excited." I also don't care about what she eats for breakfast, what her
workout routine is, or how her apartment looks like.

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[]yadi_1690 6 points 1 year ago

"SUUUPER oily" too lol.

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[]whythehecknotHopelessly Addicted 32 points 1 year ago

This thread on /r/SkincareAddiction turned me off

of GlamLifeGuru/Tati.
I had just found one of her haul videos (I love haul videos) and
subscribed when I read through that thread. I immediately
unsubscribed.
It seems like a lot of the people I watch have somewhat of a bias. How
can you not when you're sent stuff for free? But I don't really buy
anything just because someone on YouTube says it's good. Unless
Makeup Alley and reddit echo those recommendations.
Edit: fixed link

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[]somewhatstrange 9 points 1 year ago

Wow. I am subbed to her, but I guess I missed that one. Btw, do you
have any idea how old she is? It is something that is bothering me.

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[]whythehecknotHopelessly Addicted 8 points 1 year ago

I don't. I wanted to like her because she's older than a lot of the other
people I've watched, but if she's going to delete comments and block
people for trying to prevent people from damaging their skin, then I
don't want to support her.
She recently did a video with Makeup Geek, who I really like. :(

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[]i_was_onceon a serious no buy 4 points 1 year ago

She is either 31 or 32! She had a blurb in the Allure Best of Beauty
issue and she was 31 at that time. I used to really love her too but I
feel like with all of these "gurus," they start out with high quality,
honest reviews and tutorials, then as they get sponsored it just turns
into BS videos I don't want to waste my time watching. I want to lnow
what's good at the drugstore, not how great your Neutrogena skin
regimen is!

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[]antisocialite- 81 points 1 year ago

I adore Michelle Phan and I respect her so much...but her

sponsorships take away from her videos and why people liked them in
the first place. It kinda bums me out.

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[]Allenhae 24 points 1 year ago

I actually just saw her on TV. A commercial that I now can't remember
what for. I was stunned. I just un-followed her on Facebook cause I

started to get irritated that there was nothing about makeup. Just her
and her boyfriend and whatever cute clothes she was wearing that
day. Ugh.

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[]fournipsnohips 22 points 1 year ago

Dr. Pepper commercials.

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[]Allenhae 4 points 1 year ago

Yes! That was it, thank you.

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[]_leelee 9 points 1 year ago

That commercial was so weird, I had to do a double take to see if it

was really her.

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[]LadyIronfire 12 points 1 year ago

If you read the numbers it says that there are only 8 famous beauty
gurus. I was like wat.

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[]antigenabx 11 points 1 year ago

I used to follow www.messywands.com, but her posting frequency has

decreased dramatically while her sponsored posts have gone up
dramatically. Out of her last 8 beauty related posts (not counting her
most recent Happy 2014 post), 7 were sponsored. She usually but not
always discloses when the post is sponsored or the products were free,
but seriously... 7/8 is too much. I stopped following.

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[]teenadee 3 points 1 year ago

You're right. I assumed it was because of her job, or something, but

she only ever reviews now when it features sponsored content. :/
Which makes me sad, I really loved her blogging style.

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[]OddricBiba Fever 11 points 1 year ago

Gigi Gorgeous (formerly Gregory Gorgeous) is so bad with it. Every

video contains some silly product no one needs or wants.

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[]INeedToComment 8 points 1 year ago

I watched a couple of her videos and I couldn't stand her just chucking
a $70 perfume over her shoulder without looking onto a bed full of
other stuff. I understand that $70 may not be a lot for the more
popular YouTubers, but it just seemed like she didn't appreciate what
she had. I would NEVER chuck a perfume over my shoulder, especially
one I just got, no matter how much it cost.

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[]The_OryxLipstick Lover 5 points 1 year ago

Huh. I thought it was really funny and that is what made me watch
her.

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[]INeedToComment 8 points 1 year ago

Different strokes for different folks I guess. I also couldn't stop

thinking about how bad it would be if it broke. Not only would she be
out a $70 perfume, but whatever it spilled on would smell so strongly
of perfume it would have made me gag.

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[]The_OryxLipstick Lover 3 points 1 year ago

...she actually convinced me to buy GungHO energy shots from a video

once.
...they are terrible.

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[]MixxedOpinionHigh on Highlighters 2 points 1 year ago

Oh my gawd, when she started doing those music videos was when I
had e-fucking-nough.

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[]ladyluck11 21 points 1 year ago

missglamorazzi as already said - in one of her new videos she spent

a lot of time talking about whitening lighting in her routine video..

which is funny because she also said she only uses that product maybe
once a year. She doesn't seem as genuine as she used to be.

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[]catfishtreegeorgeandbear.com | ig: clare_neilson 11 points 1 year ago

Full disclosure before I continue: I'm a beauty blogger who is friends

with a lot of the (mostly Australian) beauty blogger community. My
blog is pr-free now but it's previous incarnation wasn't.
Basically, bloggers/vloggers/online publishers in the US have to
disclose not only when they are paid to write a post, but also when
they review, use or mention a product they were sent as a gift or for
review. If they don't, technically they're breaking the law. My
understanding is that these laws should apply to any content seen by
viewers in the US, which is why a lot of international bloggers disclose
now, but I don't know know how this would be policed. Even without
the laws though, bloggers should disclose because it's ethical. But...
Zanita (one of the FELT) bloggers wrote an article last year about why
she doesn't disclose. So there's a lot of opinions.
My old blog wasn't huge compared to some of the others out there but
I was getting so much stuff sent to me that I was really overwhelmed.
It was also tough not to make every post a review of something gifted,
particularly because I also wanted to maintain good relationships with
the PR companies/brands who were sending me stuff.
As soon as you realise a blogger is being dishonest and posting
positive reviews of bad products, or mentioning things they wouldn't
actually use though, you should absolutely unsubscribe.
Guess I just wanted to provide an "insider" point of view. Happy to
answer questions if there are any.

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[]ChoxRoxNC15 3 points 1 year ago

What's your beauty blog? I'd love to read it!

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[]shoesbrewstattoosUlta Addict 27 points 1 year ago

It saddens me to say but Kandee Johnson. She had multiple promo

codes for teenager/ low-quality sub-brands (i.e. Dermalogica). She
seems like a beautiful soul and talented beyond belief, but her tutorials
seem more like a diary.

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[]ThatGirl-- 19 points 1 year ago

Kandee Johnson is far from being a beautiful soul. She has a really
horrible history of lying, e-begging, etc.

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[]BorisTheZombieMakeup Artist 11 points 1 year ago

Can you explain?

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[]ThatGirl-- 6 points 1 year ago

I would but because it's been a while since I read anything about her, I
don't remember exact details. It's just along the lines of her going to
jail for neglecting her kid, begging for bail money....There are tons of
posts in many forums about all of her little scandals so if you want you
can just look it up.

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[]BorisTheZombieMakeup Artist 3 points 1 year ago

Oo wow I had no idea, I might have to look in to it, ty!

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[][deleted] 1 year ago

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[]MixxedOpinionHigh on Highlighters 13 points 1 year ago

puts kettle on and grabs snack

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[]CupcakesAreTasty 9 points 1 year ago

I seriously don't understand the love being expressed for Kandee

Johnson in the other thread. She's a lying, manipulative, annoying g
con who has been caught and called out numerous times. Check out
gurugossiper.com for all the ridiculous amounts of evidence against
her.
That must be some tasty kool-aid she's dishing out.

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[]INeedToComment 18 points 1 year ago*

Is Dermalogica low quality? I have always had a very high opinion of

them and their Microfoliant is the only thing that has EVER gotten rid
of the flakies around my nose. They are expensive as shit, too.

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[]random_user_name_13 3 points 1 year ago

Yup came here looking for this. I used to watch her (fuck, watching her
is how I learned to put eyeshadow on right), but then a few years ago
she started getting weird and doing videos of her house and all this
other random shit. I gave up.

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[]veryfunbags 19 points 1 year ago

I hope someone does the opposite of this thread too so I can see who
I SHOULD be looking at haha
Edit: wait there already is one? Aww mannn.

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[]kochipoikNew Zild 9 points 1 year ago

Did you find one? I don't watch many videos but I quite
like leighannsays - she is remarkably pretty (intimidating?) but quirky
and doesn't take herself too seriously

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[]toffeeface 4 points 1 year ago

That linked to Michelle Phan for some reason?

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[]freudiansleepGlitterati 8 points 1 year ago

emilynoel83 HIGHLY recommend her. She is super honest with her

reviews and down to earth

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[][deleted] 14 points 1 year ago

I just saw Michelle Phan on a diet dr pepper commercial. I understand

it has nothing to do with makeup, but it just seems like she has sold
out a little too hard. Maybe that makes me a horrible person, but I
want someone new. New and legit with a large fan base.

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[]kikomama89But I NEED this color 8 points 1 year ago

This is something that has bothered me in learning about the world of

beauty bloggers. I know a company that helps brands find influencers
to elevate their space in the market place, and it just doesn't sit well
with me that the beauty vloggers are getting sent things to test out
and may not be 100% honest with their opinions. But I must say one
of the women who works at said company is honest with me about the
products. She personally won't talk about anything on her channel that
she wouldn't actually use just because she is hooked up with the
company.
But when you have a network of 2,000 'influencers' I doubt many of
them are fully honest. It is a huge business and super profitable; that

being said, it does help smaller brands get their name out of there. Not
every company can afford to be in Sephora or Ulta, it takes certain
leverage and product quantity, to be on that level.

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[]mysteries1984 11 points 1 year ago

I've only recently started reading her blog but essiebutton springs to
mind. She had a post on Charlotte Tilbury and it reeks of sponsorship
but she doesn't disclose that it is as such and hasn't replied to the
multitude of comments mentioning it.
As I said, I've only just started reading her blog. I'm not really familiar
with her. That one post stood out to me in a fairly negative light
though.

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[]trolleydipUse it or lose it 8 points 1 year ago

I know the post you are talking about. I think it was mostly strange for
essiebutton because it wasn't an in depth review. As she mentioned,
and asked for requests if people wanted more. However, I also can't
imagine Charlotte Tilbury paying, or sending free products to bloggers
(at least I haven't seen any sponsored reviews).

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[]Maverickkkkharrisondarling.blogspot.com 6 points 1 year ago

Yea it was kind of an odd post, but she also has a huge disclaimer on
her site about that, admitting that she occasionally does do sponsored
content. Granted, I'm not sure if she totally follows through on that,
but I feel like she does in all honesty.
"Essiebutton is a mixture of products purchased by myself as well as
samples. I am in no way obligated to review products sent to me in a

positive light. I am not obligated to review all samples and what goes
on my website is up to my discretion.
Its rare, but I may accept sponsored content on Essiebutton, which
means I am financially compensated to publish a campaign or article.
These posts will only be published if I feel the content is relevant to
this website and will always be clearly marked as sponsored content."

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[]curryo 6 points 1 year ago*

Man, essiebutton was the one guru who I was really hoping not to see
in this thread. She just seems so genuine in her videos.
I'm not sure how much I mind her including products in her videos
that she didn't buy herself-just because she got it for free doesn't
mean she doesn't actually like it. It would bother me if she actually did
get paid to mention certain products in a positive light and didn't do
the disclaimer that you mentioned. I've never seen her actually admit
to doing sponsored content in a post though. Not sure if that means
she never does it or she just doesn't admit to it.

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[]mysteries1984 3 points 1 year ago

Yeah, I saw her disclosure...it just seemed odd though. Almost every
other blog I read marks stuff given for review with an asterisk, puts a
text in the review saying 'PR sample', 'this was bought with my own
money' or whatever. I know a lot are obliged to, but not all,
apparently. And the fact that she didn't respond to any comments just
made me feel a bit.. I don't want to use the word uneasy, that'd going
too far...strange, maybe.

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[][deleted] 5 points 1 year ago

She continuously has had problems with sponsorship disclosure; see

the dove body washes, Rimmel lipsticks, etc. Which is sad because I
love her simple, pretty makeup style.

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[]thefriendlypickleQuality over quantity 5 points 1 year ago

Probably because the FCC is an American government institution.

essiebutton is a Canadian living in the UK. She isn't bound by
American law whatsoever.

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[]jennareClueless Newbie 7 points 1 year ago

I just unsubscribe from secretlifeofabionerd after a 10 minute long

"daily routine" that was literally a huluPlus commercial. "while brushing
my teeth, I catch up on Doctor Who. Then, I go eat breakfast and
watch some Breaking Bad." etc

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[]yadi_1690 12 points 1 year ago

Missglamorazzi. She has become so transparent and obviously

sponsored, but she can't bring herself to own up to it. Many other
youtubers are open to discussing the fact that companies send them
free products to try out, but she isn't. I recently unsubscribed after her
latest day/night routine with that whitening lighting commercial.

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[]NCM728 4 points 1 year ago

Julie G- years ago she had a video that promoted a pigment sample
website. I ordered from them to try out some stuff, and what do you
know it was a huge scam and I never got my samples. I eventually got
my money back from paypal but I unsubscribed. The entire website
and alleged company vanished. How can you take money and promote
a company that does that?

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[]dingdongavonlady 6 points 1 year ago*

I understand the frustration when it comes to lying or being paid to

talk great about a product , but people need to understand that these
makeup gurus aren't trying to stay on youtube forever . Majority of
them have managers that get them in touch with certain companies
and editors that do their videos for them ( Michelle Phan ) . I still
watch gurus that are sponsored but I don't rush to the store every
time a new product is reviewed .
it's no different than any real celebrity being paid to advertise or
model for a certain company . Just don't buy into it .

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[]JessMess86 18 points 1 year ago*

I just came in here to ask why there is so much hate for people having
sponsored posts? Full disclosure, I work for a company which helps
these YouTubers work with brands. This sort of thing is my everyday so
I am pretty well versed in how this works on their end. I happen to
know that all the YouTube channels that my company represents only
take brand deals on products they like themselves. Most of the
YouTubers turn down WAY more than they accept. All of them are very
aware of their fan feedback on branded content and want to remain

authentic to who they are. They never want to promote something

they themselves aren't keen on. That said, brand deals are how they
make their money and give them a lot of really cool opportunities such
as Michelle Phan's Dr. Pepper commerical or Bethany Mota's clothing
line. It seems they get hate from their fans for disclosing the brands
they are paid to promote or who have given them free product and it
seems they get hate when they try to integrate the products
seamlessly. I'm just trying to understand why there is so much
negative feedback like the comments in the post around these.
Thanks!

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[]yadi_1690 26 points 1 year ago

Personally, it's when they DON'T disclose that it annoys me, and many
barely acknowledge it in the "about" section. I get that that's how they
make money, but they can at least say when it's a free product. By not
doing so, it makes me feel like they are just trying to sell a product
and might not genuinely like it. In that case I might as well watch a
commercial or flip through magazine ads.

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[]JessMess86 3 points 1 year ago

That makes sense to me! I'll definitely give my girls this feedback. The
truth is a lot of the product they receive is free, but it is because they
are a true fan of the product. Brands notice when these girls are taking
about something of theirs and will send them product as a thank you
and in hopes they might mention it again. Thats not always the case,
but it does happen often.

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[]stagier_malingering 19 points 1 year ago

Sponsorships happen and that's okay; I view it as a positive trade off

for both sides.
The issue is when people appear to be disingenuous.
Some stuff might be amazing, but is every product from brand X THE
ABSOLUTE BEST EVER OMG MY FAVORITE? No. Definitely not.
Similarly, there's a difference between saying "hey, brand X sent me a
lot of products to review, so I'm going to use them all in a look!" and
going "Here is my super amazing new look that only has brand x
products in it coincidentally and I just happened to have a lot of those
lying around!"
I also really don't like it when reviewers try to make products sound
good when they clearly are not. "Well, this super-plush mega pigment
lipstick is actually really sheer and kind of dry, but when you cover it
up with a layer of balm and heat it up with a hair dryer, it leaves a
really pretty nude color on your lips, so I'd buy it!"
I don't care much otherwise!
Reviews are a pretty large part of my decision making process when it
comes to purchases and it is important for me to know what
perspective the reviewer is coming from so I can factor that into my
process. I get really irritated when a review steers me wrong, even in
a country with a good return policy.

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[]BlipblipbloopShimmer Junkie 15 points 1 year ago

I want to watch a makeup tutorial, not a disingenuous attempt to sell

me something.

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[]MixxedOpinionHigh on Highlighters 3 points 1 year ago

That's just it, it's not a seamless integration.

You have never used this product before and will never use it again
even though it's 'Your favorite and you could never leave home without
it.'
I wasted product costs plus shipping because you decided that this
product was high enough on the 'not shitty' scale that you deemed it
worthy of posting about once, trying once.

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[]High0nLife 7 points 1 year ago

I'm so surprised no one has mentioned Panacea81 yet!

Lauren was the YouTube channel that pretty much got me into makeup
when I was younger. I absolutely love her and feel like despite the
attention and success she definitely deserves, she is still pretty much
the same wonderful personality.

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[][deleted] 18 points 1 year ago

Dulce candy. Now she has changed and made it her career. When she
first started she did hauls, and showed her favorites. Now she had
recently gotten a nose job, moved to Calabasas, and travels around.
Seems to live a normal life but I stopped watching her.

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[]Eureka19 5 points 1 year ago

I was just going to mention her. She seemed very down to earth in her
very first videos but now she acts like a Kardashian. I had not heard

about the nose job but she did get a boob job. She's just a sell out
now.

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[]LordButterMuffin 3 points 1 year ago

I really avoid all of them actually... there's two that I actually watch,
and they are Lisa Eldridge and Klairedelysart. I like them because
they're unique, and it's not always a "watch me do the same exact
eyeshadow routine on my eyes, but with different colors" video.
They're actually different and I don't feel like I'm being told to buy
something. It's really an art to them, and that's what I like.

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[]xempyreanx 3 points 1 year ago

Xiaxue used to be so fun now shes just about sponsors and non stop
baby pics. I dont really mind the baby pics but I miss her blog.

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[]verytinyappleLipstick Queen 11 points 1 year ago

I still watch Promise Phan's videos because she usually does

transformations and those are cool. But lately she has only been using
Too Faced products?

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[]fauxhee 9 points 1 year ago

She used to use pretty basic products - drugstore or BH cosmeticsesque brands. She was sponsored by Lancme too a whole back
though, along with Michelle Phan.

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[]greenighsIt's only makeup, not a cure for cancer. 10 points 1 year ago*

The Pixie Woos. I used to love their videos, until they started the Daily
Mix channel. Their "makeovers" were so bad! They used foundation
shades that were so off, "but that's what they had with them" (??!!)
And all they brought with them was Chanel. Chanel, Chanel. It was
pretty obvious they were going to use Chanel weather the client
looked good in it or not. Several of the makeover victims looked so
awful, with thick, greasy looking foundation and really bad contouring,
I was just so turned off. And I know this is bad, but once I got used to
Lisa Eldridge's lovely accent, I just couldn't take the Pixie Woo's voices
anymore.

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[]Talia-AlGhulEyeing that Liner 5 points 1 year ago

I love MadeYewLook but it does bother me sometimes how she ONLY

uses her brushes and 99.999999999% of the time Mehron paint. Not
really a beauty guru but still.

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[]itsapirateslifeforme 2 points 1 year ago

Jessica Harlow. Blegh.

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[]keparcell 2 points 1 year ago

I can't deal with xsparkage- she's super sponsored (Urban Decay...)

and all of her looks are the same.
Basically I only watch Lisa Eldridge and the pixiwoo sisters- I find
everyone else seems very... youtubey. I also watch make up geek but

it's because I love her personality/weight loss journey. I really want to

support her.

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[]RandomMusing 2 points 1 year ago

Michelle Phan. Her videos are nothing more than commercials for her
overpriced cosmetics. I watched a recent video of hers and found that
something like 13 items she used in the video were all Em products
and the rest were products used in that months ipsy bag ( in which
she's part owner).

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[]CupcakesAreTasty 1 point 1 year ago

I know Emilynoel83 was at one point sponsored by Sigma. I suspect

she's currently sponsored by The Balm or Two Faced, perhaps behind
the scenes. She's a little too lovey on their products at the moment.
Neither of these brands are "high-end", but she claims they are and
raves about them like they're equivalent brands to Dior or Giorgio
Armani.
Plus, her "tutorials" are the same boring look time and time again.
She's a pretty girl, but her looks age her and make her look like a 4045 year old when she's only 30.

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[]freudiansleepGlitterati 2 points 1 year ago

I respectfully disagree with your opinion, and will refrain from using
the downvote =)

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[]CupcakesAreTasty 3 points 1 year ago

Classy. I thank you, and I will upvote you for your stellar
reddiquette! :)

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[]freudiansleepGlitterati 2 points 1 year ago

Thank you, & for you as well =)

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[]BNSquashBlog: PrettyTrivialities IG: aiksasarual 2 points 1 year ago

WAYNE GOSS

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[]MixxedOpinionHigh on Highlighters 6 points 1 year ago

One thing that's annoying me about him are those stupid, 'THIS
AMAZING TRICK IS GOING TO SAVE YOUR MAKEUP LIFE AND
EVERYONE IN IT' videos. One was putting liner on a eyelash curler as
an easy way to apply it to your lid. It seems like he's putting out halfassed content just to have something out.

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[]Joss138 -2 points 1 year ago

Wayne Goss. He pays for his own stuff, he's not sponsored. Plus, he is
very resourceful and seems like a nice person.

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[]DavysLittleWannabe Beauty Blogger 51 points 1 year ago

This is a WHAT NOT TO watch thread.

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[]greenighsIt's only makeup, not a cure for cancer. 26 points 1 year ago

Wayne is a YouTuber NOT to avoid!

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[]Schnapps_out_of_itLip Junkie 12 points 1 year ago

YES! Wayne Goss is like my god. Seriously, such genuine reviews and
little to no (obvious) sponsorship.

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[]thisisnotkaitlin 10 points 1 year ago

I love that he doesn't ramble. He gets straight to the point. I'm a busy
women and I don't have time for a 20 minute video on mascara.

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[]BNSquashBlog: PrettyTrivialities IG: aiksasarual 5 points 1 year ago

Uh... he currently has a shitty "HAVE ACNE - FOLLOW THESE THREE

SIMPLE STEPS FOR CLEAR SKIN" in the description if every single one
of his videos

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[][deleted] 1 point 1 year ago

Yeah, that bugs me but I guess I'd rather it be in the info bar than
have him try to work the products in to every video like other
youtubers do.

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[]MyntBerryCrunch 1 point 1 year ago

...Am I the only one here who doesn't care whether the youtuber is
sponsored or not? I'll still watch the videos because I find them
enjoyable. If they also happened to get money for it then it's a win
win. When I want actual feedback on a product I'll do my own research
and read reviews.

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[]christinatheturtle 1 point 1 year ago

A few that come to mind to me is Stillababe09 and makeupbymandy24

They're both pretty young, but they became sponsored and now I just
can't stand to watch them!

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[]JaneDoeEyes 0 points 1 year ago

I used to love the Youtube beauty community until all of them started
doing it as a job. Well, that goes for Youtube as a whole, pretty much.
They're all sellouts now.

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[]BartokTheBat 0 points 1 year ago

I feel like the odd one out not caring about sponsorship videos. People
have to make a living and they're doing so this way. How many times
have you seen Beyonce in a beauty-related advert? I doubt she uses
all those products but nobody complains about it.

If you're going to be taken in by one person using an expensive

product and saying it is amazing without first doing your own research
before you drop 50 bucks, that's your own fault.

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SHEILA ANE:
I don't patronize fake products because I do have a huge respect to all fashion
designers

fashion designers and companies that created their brands. I may not have tons of
collections but I do have some, from gifts and some I bought it personally. And If I
can't afford it I don't buy it even though I have seen some websites that offer cheap
fake products so what I did instead I reported the websites. But there is always an
option for every style (as long as it is legit). Just be patient to look for it.

almost 2 years ago

#2

MAX. G.
France
196 posts

I won't buy knock-offs for the sole reason that it's poor quality and that I'm
not this much into brands. I don't like something because it's plastered a
brand name all over but because it is high quality. Brands really mean
nothing and I think that those who buy fake clothes are just carving for
luxury garments they can't afford.
I can't say that's wrong... I do have respect for designers too but when I
see that a plain Balmain tee may cost around $250, it sounds outrageous
to me. Even a no-name cashmere sweater should normally not be worth
this price.
When I see Choies or Ioffer offering the very same stuff at slashed prices, I
personally don't mind.. if some people really want to follow the trends and

look like their fashion icons, they can go for knock-offs.

0 August 15, 2013

#3
@MAX. G.

Yes I agree with you about the balmain tee, i won't dare to buy a t-shirt for
that price. But as I've said there are more options nowadays to find for
similar designs online or not instead of fake.

SHEILA
ANNE ..

I didn't mind on the beginning when people buy fake stuff... Until it came to
the point that some people that I knew were confused if i've got the real
PHILIPPINES thing or fake. Then I became concerned about it because I may not have
AND LIVING tons of collection (but I have a humble collection) i worked hard for my
IN QUEBEC, money too. And I knew that if I spent my money on the real thing then they
Canada
gonna earn the money that they work hard to create the product. So if I will
spent my money on fake products then the people behind it are stealing
61 posts
money from the real ones who created the brand.

0 August 15, 2013

#4
@SHEILA ANNE ..

MAX. G.
France
196 posts

Oh I know what you mean :) That's why I never buy iconic designer clothes.
I have recently bought a Burberry shirt and I wittingly didn't want to buy a
classical one because I know half of them are fakes so I wouldn't like
everyone to think I'm wearing fake when I know it's original. It sounds like a
waste of money indeed :)
That's the problem with brands that always put a logo or a specific pattern,
for example, on every items. It's quite easy to copy this.
On the other hand, you must tell yourself "I know mine is genuine". In
addition, most fake clothes are poor quality and liable to tear rapidly. Also,
you can be somewhat "proud" of your item when people who bought fake
cannot. For example, I can imagine how ashamed a girl who bought a fake

LV bag would feel when visiting a LV store :)

0 August 15, 2013

#5
@MAX. G.

SHEILA
ANNE ..

Thank you for understanding :D. And yes I agree with you with those iconic
designer clothes. Last year I almost bought a Burberry scarf... but then the
pattern is very common for fakes so i changed my mind instead. And yes
as you've said i wouldn't like people to think i'm wearing fake.
Yes! :D i do think that way ... that mine is genuine and I'm proud of it.

PHILIPPINES
AND LIVING And I totally agree with your example. I've encountered some girls saying
IN QUEBEC, that they look better than the ones who got original LV's, I was stunned and
Canada
didn't say anything coz I don't want no drama... but It was mean of them to
say that...not cool at all.
61 posts
0 August 15, 2013
#6
@SHEILA ANNE ..

MAX. G.
France
196 posts
#7

Haha fake LV bags are really bad and so commonly widespread...

When I see some attention-seeking girls wearing overly tacky clothes and
carrying a LV bag, I just can't believe it's an original for a second. All is in
the attitude !

0 August 15, 2013

@MAX. G.

NN S.
BANGKOK,
Thailand
822 posts

yes yes! i agree. i don't buy brands for the 'brand' or the stupid logos. i
don't buy stuff to flaunt to others. other people are other people and im not
here to impress anyone. i buy branded things for myself, they use tons
better materials which obviously will last you much longer!
Also, i know not everyone can afford branded items. and there's nothing
wrong with that coz you can find tons of original awesome items that are
not branded. what i really don't like is ppl wearing fake LV bags (that are
really obviously fake) or fake anything else. i just think, it's better not to
have it at all! carrying fake branded stuff makes you look cheaper than if
you were to own non-branded stuff.
i buy really expensive coats (Max Mara or LV) because they last you a really
long time and they are much warmer because the materials used are much
better. but with t-shirts, shorts or casual everyday items, i don't care if i get
them from the local market or whatever. because these sort of items i get
bored of easily so i don't need to spend a fortune on it!! =D

0 August 15, 2013

#8
@MAX. G.

Absolutely! And I agree with you ;D

0 August 16, 2013

SHEILA
ANNE ..
PHILIPPINES
AND LIVING
IN QUEBEC,
Canada
61 posts
#9

@NN S.

SHEILA
ANNE ..

I totally agree with you Nun very well said, branded things they last much
longer. I know someone who got an authentic Gucci clutch...she got it for
$300 back then and it's been 30yrs now, still in perfect shape. She said it's
worth the money and investment as well because she don't have to buy 50
bags that will only last in a year or two.

PHILIPPINES Exactly! there are tons of original items that are inexpensive and some are
AND LIVING not branded. I still buy those items because I can't afford the whole
IN QUEBEC, collection of high end brands that I'm dreaming to have. And besides
Canada
having a humble collection won't break my bank account.
61 posts
I just want to share inexpensive brands with decent quality too such as
Aldo, Guess, Nine West, Naturalizer, Geox and Steve Madden (particularly
on shoes and bags).
Wow Max Mara & LV coats... i've never seen anyone of it in person... must
be amazing! I love coats too but I don't have Max Mara or LV :D and I would
like to see it in your post or have you already?

0 August 16, 2013

#10

I thought you had meant the "Knock off Name Brands" Such as Channel vs
Chanel, or "Coco made me do it" - that kind of fake product.
But back on topic, I don't purchase knock-off items, and even if I could
NADINE R. afford the real ones like you said Sheila people wouldn't believe or know if
what I had was real or not anyway! And sadly, I feel like that is what's
NEW YORK, important now when people consider brands. I know for me, I view brands
United
& designers from an aesthetic and style-specific point of view.
States
Ok, so you can afford a $300 purse, but you don't have the style to match
196 posts it, so what's the point?
Brands and labels have become more of a money and status symbol then
as a way for a person to show their dedication to a designer or a style.

I'm sorry if my post sounds like mumbo jumbo, it's getting late and I've
been up all day! :X

0 August 29, 2013

#11
@NADINE R.

MAX. G.
France
196 posts

I agree with you on that point ; basically, we should all buy things from a
specific brand because we know its aesthetic and not only because it's
prestigious and overly expensive.
Having said that, I sometimes buy from a brand I am not particularly
interested in. I also like to mix styles and trends so even if I like the
minimalistic style of Acne, I wouldn't make my outfit a total Acne look.
I guess that most of us buy designer clothes for quality and not just for the
brand, anyway I hope so :)!

0 August 30, 2013

#12

having never being bothered by brands, i'm now thinking about this issue
but i'm not sure where i stand on it yet

0 August 30, 2013

SELINA M.
LONDON,
United
Kingdom
5516 posts
#13

@MAX. G.

NADINE R.

Oh most definitely!
I'm not saying to be wholly exclusive, besides, I know - call it an intuition :P
- that if you were going to wear something that you'd wear it tastefully and
won't look like trash.

NEW YORK, Nothing repulses me more than ladies wearing velour tracksuits, with
expensive sheepskin boots (COUGH Uggs) and tacky replica bags, saying
United
States
how "trendy" and "stylish" they are. *shudder of terror*
196 posts

0 August 30, 2013

#14
@NADINE R.

Haha I get the picture of these ladies wearing Uggs while they fancy
themselves as super stylish and fashionable girls. I mean, it's nothing but
trendy and it just shows how shallow you really are :)

MAX. G.

0 August 30, 2013

France
196 posts
#15
@NADINE R.

Hi Nadine, thanks for sharing your thoughts and I really appreciate your
effort.
On this topic i'm not only talking about on specific brands such as LV,
Chanel or Gucci. I have mentioned it on my previous post it's because it is
the most counterfeited brands. It could be anything else like perfumes,
PHILIPPINES watches, shoes, jewelries & etc., even people now a days is also copied lol
AND LIVING what i mean crooks stole peoples identity and their money the same thing
IN QUEBEC, with counterfeit/ knock off brands. So it is important that people should
Canada
patronize authentic brands.

SHEILA
ANNE ..

61 posts

You're saying...Nadine: Ok, so you can afford a $300 purse, but you don't
have the style to match it, so what's the point?
It's another topic but i will give it a shot. And my reply to that well if they
can afford to buy the "Real Thing" then why not? Further than that I can't
judge people from buying the real thing even if they can't use it. Because
well never know, maybe some people love to collect to appraise the value
in the future especially the limited edition items. Just like the woman that i
know she bought her first Gucci bag (authentic of course) for $300 and now
it's value is close to $2000+ (re-issue only) but if you check on the auction
prices it is probably double or triple the price than the re-issue because of
the original date issue and the condition of the item. I also watched an
auction on TV an old used LV traveller luggage it was bid for $500 and it
was sold for $20,000 because some people in the auction are collectors
and the LV item was a limited edition they invested for that amount of
money because later in the future they could also sell it to the museums or
other collectors or they could also give the collections to the next family
generation. I hope people won't get a wrong idea about me and to add i'm
not here to brag it's just good to know that i could invest with items that in
the future it will appraise it's value and also to share what I learned.

0 September 6, 2013
#16
@NADINE R.

I agree with you both.

0 September 6, 2013
SHEILA
ANNE ..
PHILIPPINES
AND LIVING
IN QUEBEC,
Canada

61 posts
#17
@SHEILA ANNE ..

You bring up a lot of interesting points.

LACE L.
CA,
United
States
100 posts

It puts the blogger in a very difficult position. You want to be able to afford
and wear the trendiest things, but sometimes that's just too much. I think
it's fine as long as you're doing a Celine shirt or a purse or whatever based
off of the fashion itself, and not presenting it as the real thing.. if you try to
lie about it and cover it with dishonesty I think that's bad. A lot of people
use things like Chanel shirts and whatnot just because it looks cool. I
wouldn't be averse to doing so myself.

0 September 7, 2013
#18
@LACE L.

Thank you so much Lace. I know it's very difficult for a blogger but I rather
be honest than lie. Because I've noticed some bloggers wearing knock off
brands and believe me or not... their on the hot lists and they've got
thousands of fans. I don't envied them it's just that they've got a lot of
SHEILA
followers and it's bad to influence other bloggers to this kind of stuff.
ANNE ..
Because what's the point of being a fashion blogger if their hook into fake
PHILIPPINES stuff. They stand as the role model as well for their followers but at the
AND LIVING same time they should be honest on what they're showing.
IN QUEBEC,
Canada
There is one blogger that i am a fan with. She used to have some sponsors
who sells counterfeit brands and it's good to know that she refuse them
61 posts
lately to advertise on her site. I hope others should do the same way.
Yes I agree with you too. I don't follow every trends because in my opinion
it's too much for me. Because I don't have any sponsors lol if i would then
why not and I'm not a full time blogger but I have a full time job. So
whenever i gets a chance for a photo shoot I would do it.

0 September 7, 2013
#19
@SHEILA ANNE ..

LACE L.
CA,
United
States
100 posts

Wow, what a well written post. (: You have a lot of good points - I don't
think it's very good to deceive your following who trusts you and respects
you enough to give you their time of day (whether it's hyping your stuff,
reading your stuff, or merely looking at it)!
I think counterfeit brands are bad if they're trying to be sold as the real
thing or for a ridiculous price. If it's just a playful design similarity or
something like that it's not too bad as long as they don't lie about it being
real... a lot of people do wear fake products purely because it looks good
and they want the status associated with it - nothing wrong with that. I just
think people are a little afraid of admitting it's fake because it looks bad on
them.

0 September 7, 2013
#20
@LACE L.

SHEILA
ANNE ..
PHILIPPINES
AND LIVING
IN QUEBEC,
Canada
61 posts
#21

Thanks once again Lace. I think the same way about counterfeit brands if
their sold as the real thing then it's bad as i've said on my description on
the topic... there is always an option for every style. Just be patient to look
for it.

0 September 7, 2013

I have had this conversation with others before so it is interesting that you
bring this up. I do agree with you that counterfeits and replicas make it
frustrating for someone that has spent their well earned money on the real
thing. So while I agree completely agree with you on that point, I don't
CHRISTINA necessarily have an issue with people that buy replicas just as long as they
are not doing it for the reasons of seeming "cooler" or to gain more
J.
popularity (especially in the blogging world). I myself am not more or less
CALIFORNIA, impressed by a person with a collection (modest or plentiful) of designer
United
items, so I don't appreciate when someone goes out of their way to seem
States
like "Look at me, I am high fashion and I wear Givenchy." On the other
hand, if someone really just likes the Givenchy style t-shirts but can't afford
9 posts
the real thing, I'm not bothered by his or her decision to wear a replica if
they make no pretense that it's real and simply bought it for the love of the
print/style.
The reason I don't have an issue with it is because there are people with
designer items that can hardly afford their rent or are eating a ramen diet
every night. Am I going to respect them more because their items are real?
Of course not. I wish I could elaborate more on my view point but I feel that
my issue with this real or fake argument goes deeper into the image one is
trying to present.
I have bought a replica of the Givenchy Brooklyn Jersey and I don't have an
issue with admitting it's a knock off because I really really loved the jersey
and would have bought it whether or not I knew it was a Givenchy replica.
I'm sorry if that makes someone with the real thing upset because they
don't want to be associated with my replica...but when I hear comments
like that it just makes me wonder sometimes "Did you buy it for the love of
the item or for the recognition of owning Givenchy?"

0 September 17, 2013

#22

@CHRISTINA J.

SHEILA
ANNE ..

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your opinions. Yes I find this topic
very interesting and it's a never ending debate on the internet as well.
Since this is a fashion blog i mis well share it here on how other people
think about it. But it's good to know others opinion too.

I'm not here to impress and yes i'm not even popular here (and I have a
PHILIPPINES very good reason to be here). I just hope that people won't take it a wrong
AND LIVING way that i am being mean to those who have "KNOCK OFF", "FAKE", "
IN QUEBEC, COUNTERFEIT", in short "NON-LEGIT ITEMS". You said that too.... It's just
Canada
that it is unfair and frustrating for someone who spent their money on the
"REAL THING"... but we also call it "ORIGINAL", "AUTHENTIC", "GENUINE"
61 posts
and "LEGIT" brands/ items/ stuff/...even "NO NAME" brands pays TAXES.
Millions of people spent their money on non-legit items those are illegal
businesses who also don't pay taxes. Just imagine if that "MILLIONS OF
MONEY" were spent right then the economy of each country will boost. (I'm
not an english literate but I guess you get the point).
I didn't say that I don't respect people who bought "KNOCK OFF" items...
but I guess what i'm doing here is to "EDUCATE EACH ONE OF US ON
WHAT'S RIGHT AND TO STAND ON WHAT'S LEGIT AND FOR THE GOOD OF
OUR ECONOMY".
***This issue or topic is similar on piracy. People who work hard to create a
movie should be the one to earn the money that they worked hard not
those 'THIEVES", who copied their movie and then sell it.

0 September 17, 2013

#23
@SHEILA ANNE ..

You brought up a very important point that I didn't think about. It is a very
comparable business to piracy and, you're right, it is an economical issue.

0 September 17, 2013

CHRISTINA

J.
CALIFORNIA,
United
States
9 posts
#24
@CHRISTINA J.

Thank you and good to know.

0 September 18, 2013

SHEILA
ANNE ..
PHILIPPINES
AND LIVING
IN QUEBEC,
Canada
61 posts
#25

I have to say that I LOVE brands but I don't like fake products because no
brand is better than a fake one.
For example, I want a Michael Kors bag right now and some weeks ago I
was in Turkey and the shopkeepers offered me many fake Kors bags (the
quality was pretty good and the bags were real leather) but I couldn't buy
ANDA R.
them. I couldn't lie about the fake bag being a original model and if I say
ROMANIA
that it is fake the girls my age think I don't have enough money to buy
BUT LIVING original brands ...
IN VIENNA, However, I have a lot of stuff from well-known brands but I also like to buy
Austria
in cheaper shops!

33 posts

0 September 18, 2013

#26

I don`t gonna make publicity directly for knock-offs. But lets be honest, all
of us have worn pieces from Zara and those stores that are not exactly
original designs. I think is slightly different to use a fake LV bag but still!

ANA G.

0 September 20, 2013

Guatemala
37 posts

Sunhawk-IIMario Aguilar
2/15/13 11:16am
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Apple has a hundred billion dollars on hand. They can afford to build
their own aircraft carrier if they wanted to. So I'm sure they can afford
to have fake product development going on. Fake product development
that can still yield benefits to Apple.
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dccorona
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dccoronaSunhawk-II
2/15/13 11:23am
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I could see putting new engineers on projects that would be like

Bugatti is to VW...cutting edge stuff that isn't ready for mass
marketing, but tech that will roll into their future products at some
point. But regardless of how much cash they have, they're a
public company. They have a legal responsibility to their investors,
and if the only explanation for such a project were "to make sure
things don't get leaked", they wouldn't be able to get that to fly
when the time comes to release their expense reports.
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Clem-Clone

ProfileFollow

Clem-CloneSunhawk-II
2/15/13 11:23am
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I worked at Apple R&D in the late 80's into the 90's. We *always*
had multiple projects building Mac CPU's then, based on the same
specs. 3-4 complete teams would build a Mac based on the specs
then, and one team won out when it came down to DVT
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o

Sunhawk-II
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Sunhawk-IIdccorona
2/15/13 11:24am
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Well then their shareholders should be pissed at the millions

pissed away in the World War III scale patent lawsuits they've
been waging across the globe.
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o

dccorona
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dccoronaSunhawk-II
2/15/13 11:32am
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not if they keep winning.

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Rabastens404
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Rabastens404Mario Aguilar
2/15/13 11:28am
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It's all R&D stuff to me, some lazy journalists may try to spin some of
those projects as fake products, but that's a little short-sighted. R&D
projects have to carry out some sort of marketing plan at some point to
determine whether they stand a chance on the market.
Also, while I'm a long-time reader of Ars Technica (sorry Giz, I love you
too), Jacqui Cheng is about as much a journalist as I'm a xenobiologist
from the planet Zeta - she does no digging around, she copy/pastes bits
and pieces of stuff she finds on various web sites.
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o

sTalkinggoat
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sTalkinggoatRabastens404
2/15/13 11:52am
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Exactly. As a product designer I've worked on more projects that

get scrapped at various stages of completion (right up to having

tooling cut for manufacturing) due to being nonviable for any

number of reasons. Doesn't mean the product was fake. That's
just how things work.
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o

Pucksr
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PucksrRabastens404
2/15/13 1:14pm
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Also, amazingly, newer employees are more likely to work on the

'riskier' projects. You put your A-team on developing the iPhone 6.
You put your new guys on developing the iPhone watch. It isn't a
'fake product', it is just that a lot of the initial design/engineering
can be handled by newer employees. They get to learn a lot more
about the Apple process because they work on a fledgling project,
and they get to show their chops.
This is standard practice anywhere. Calling them 'fake projects to
test loyalty' always sounded a bit incredulous. Projects that are
likely to be terminated before completion is a better term.
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o

medic.abe

ProfileFollow

medic.abeRabastens404
2/15/13 1:24pm
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Jacqui Cheng is to Ars as Giz is to the web?

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o

Rabastens404
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Rabastens404medic.abe
2/15/13 1:53pm
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Not sure, tho they certainly went a little on the trashier side since
getting acquired by Cond Nast, they do still however publish

original material that both has depth and relevance.

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GOAT__RODEO
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GOAT__RODEOMario Aguilar
2/15/13 11:00am
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all the HW guys I know who work over there understood what their job
would be prior to accepting their offer. who on earth joins a company
without having a concept of if the R&D position will be a step up,
sideways or down?
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Yinzers Are People Too

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Yinzers Are People TooGOAT__RODEO

2/15/13 11:20am
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Sure, but knowing the type of project and knowing the specifics of
that project are two different things. They're not going to tell you
about unreleased hardware before they have you hired and
signed to an NDA, I wouldn't think.
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o

GOAT__RODEO
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GOAT__RODEOYinzers Are People Too

2/15/13 12:19pm
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you actually sign an NDA prior to the interview at most

companies. :)
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o

Yinzers Are People Too

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Yinzers Are People TooGOAT__RODEO

2/15/13 1:22pm
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Really? I've only worked for one major company (got this job after
a college internship) so I assumed most big companies were
similar in that you signed the NDA once you were hired.
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o

GOAT__RODEO
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GOAT__RODEOYinzers Are People Too

2/15/13 2:36pm

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Ive only had one technical interview in my career where I didnt

have to sign an NDA. In the end, it doesnt really matter - cause if
you're reasonably well connected in the industry... you know every
project thats going in far more detail than you should. Happy
hours tend to void NDAs pretty quickly. ;)
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startinggl0ry
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startinggl0ryMario Aguilar
2/15/13 11:10am
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"Non-disclosure agreement". Scary. Let me tell you, an NDA sure does

prevent all forms of leaks from a company.
Reply
o

Liddles

ProfileFollow

Liddlesstartinggl0ry
2/15/13 11:13am
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It's standard practice by many companies of the same caliber, if

not all.
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o

dccorona
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dccoronastartinggl0ry
2/15/13 11:31am
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They work based on the fact that these people are going to value
their high 5 or 6 figure salaries at a prominent tech company with

awesome benefits over having awesome internet cred for being

right about a new apple product. They might tell friends/family
that they really trust, sure, but those people will know leaking it
could get their friend/family member fired. So they'll keep quiet
too. Apple leaks come from China, not California
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o

GimmeSumGadgets
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GimmeSumGadgetsstartinggl0ry
2/15/13 11:48am
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NDA's work pretty well for those who value their jobs and don't
want to lose them, which is pretty much everyone these days.
Anyone in the know at Apple is probably make well over $100k
salaries, and in most cases probably a lot more, with great stock
options. Do you really think many people in that position would
risk all that to drop a few photos or info on one device that will be
old news in a year anyway?
Reply

Zeust the orange fluffy unicorn

ProfileFollow

Zeust the orange fluffy unicornMario Aguilar

2/15/13 12:05pm
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I think pretty much every tech company is working on projects of which

they are ot yet sure whether or not to release them when they're
finished, I even suspect most projects are of this nature. I think most
new hires at Apple start working on projects with a relatively low
probability of ever being released, but are still interesting enough to
investigate. And some of those projects probably do get released after
all.
Disclaimer: I am not an expert and I may be completely wrong about
everything I wrote in this post.
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mystixa
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mystixaMario Aguilar
2/15/13 1:23pm
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So the argument here is:

Apple is widely known to have an extraordinary culture of secrecy, one
that goes beyond most other companies in scope and enforcement.
Therefore they only utilize the standard tools that other companies use
to enforce their own secrecy. Evidence of this is unnamed sources not
knowing and a current employee who is of course free to discuss their
secrecy practices accurately.
um, no.
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matt975321
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matt975321Mario Aguilar
2/15/13 2:19pm
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Any company that is spending billions on R&D will have multiple teams
working on myriad projects. It would be very surprising if everything
they worked on yielded a product. Sometimes you just want to throw an
idea at a project team and see what they can come up with. Most of the

time their results are not practical.

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aec007
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aec007Mario Aguilar
2/15/13 11:22am
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MS does the same to some extent in their research labs. Lots of

products and ideas do not ever make the light of the day or as simply
killed by management before they get out due to economics,
technology, etc...
Courier anyone?
Reply

starscreech
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starscreechMario Aguilar
2/15/13 11:24am
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"fake projects" could be a good training method for new hires... then
again apple has enough clout to only hire employees that don't need
training, i guess.
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Mark Carlson
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Mark CarlsonMario Aguilar

2/15/13 1:12pm
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It's called strategic division of labor, not "dummy projects". So he was

either sensationalizing for the sake of selling more units, or he's an
idiot.

WORLDofVAPE

Mod a year ago

We just added an interesting statement from Efest about fasttech.

It almost looks like companies are starting to wake up about FT.
Another company a couple of days ago was telling us that FT has
factories purely dedicated to replicated (clone) other brands products. It
is so crazy the more you think about it.
5

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o
o

nukeum

a year ago

Thanks for the Informative insight into this

5

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o
o

jake

a year ago

That guy was lying to you. FT has many clones, but they are listed as
such. The real deal is that FT sells their products under the MSRP. They
can do this because they have connections to the factories that make
them. Companies like Smoktech (and others) don't like this and say that
the products are fake because it raises questions from retailers like you.
There are other reasons not to buy from FT, (i.e: long shipping times,
poor customer service, foreign company, ect) but fake product is not
one of them.
4

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WORLDofVAPE

Mod jake a year ago

So I just had a follow up with fasttech on this topic. This time it

was not my call - I have better things to do - but they insisted
on talking to me.
I added a little addendum to my post - but the summary is this:
Smoktech is right. 100% - and I mean 100% of Smoktech goods
on Fasttech are fake ones.

I posted a link to a good example of what is going on over there.

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jake WORLDofVAPE

a year ago

I guess they have these guys fooled

too http://www.fasttech.com/forums...

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WORLDofVAPE

Mod jake a year ago

What you are saying makes a lot of sense to me. And matches

my understanding of the situation as well.

What is truly amazing though - is that an official rep of
smoktech would blatantly lie about this. I think this says a lot
about Smoktech. It is more than disturbing to say the least. I am
so glad we are not carrying their products. Not because of that simply not good enough that's all.

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o
o

Anonymous

10 months ago

This dude confirms fasttech is all fakes.

3

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o
o

David

6 months ago

O and one more thing. Just my final thoughts. Weather there fake or not
if the product works as it should dose it matter if it is fake? I have a
4nine clone from there and a Omega that work great and have for some
time. I personaly dont have the money to buy the real expensive stuff,
and even some of the clones are over priced from some of these "legit"
businesses. My only concern is safety and function. If I can get those 2
things I don't care who makes it. As long as it works. O I also have
"legit" Kayfun clone I got in a co/op buy from a good manufacturer and
one from FT that says 1:1 and you can not tell the difference at all in
function. made by same people likely not. With that said yes I have
gotten junk from there. I have also gotten junk form others "legit"
manufacturers that I have payed more for there product. I will continue
to only buy what works and what is cheap. I will watch reviews and
other peoples thoughts before I buy anything. I would like to see more
USA made stuff that is affordable. but that is not going to happen. I
have a hard time spending a lot of money on vape gear. mostly because
it is getting to be nuts. and everyone is cranking out new stuff all the
time. So I will continue to look for the best deal for me on what I want.
and make what I cant get myself. like my DNA40 cost me $110 to make
as did my SX350 and hands down just as good as any one like it I could
have bought. Take that for what you will. China's business is very shady
and I don't really believe any of them to be honest.
1

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Rishona Campbell David

6 months ago

While I don't agree with you 100%, I can completely see your
perspective!

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David Rishona Campbell

5 months ago

Really though! the vast majority of these devices are over

priced. I'm more then willing to pay $100 for a device
even $150 on a mod any way. but good attys are like
insane prices. Its just straight up greed. Though it dos
look like its changing. with thins like the Mutation X and
Lemo.

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Rishona Campbell David

5 months ago

Yeah I wrote a blog post on this. Same problem in

the musical instrument area. You can buy a cheap
Chinese saxophone for $800, or spend $3,500 on a
Selmer. Is the Selmer's name and quality worth
$2,700? Yeah....I doubt
it! http://www.rishona.net/2014/12...

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David Rishona Campbell

5 months ago

exactly. I'm willing to pay to have piece of mind

that it is quality but not a excessive amount. Only
time I will pay more then reasonable is if its made
in the USA and very good quality. But $250 for a
mech is too much. $125 is as high as I will go on a

US mod even. its just too nuts.

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o
o

evlover

9 months ago

Curious as to why Ski leech isn't suing FastTech, if they are really selling
fakes. Unless, they can't.
China manufacturers like to control prices that their products are
retailed for. If a store resells a product below what they like to see, they
say the store sells fakes.
1

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o
o

Looner

9 days ago

Let me tell you of an experience I just had with FastTech. I put in an

order over a month ago, comprised totally of the colored Pyrex tubes for
Nautilus minis and some assorted acrylic drip tips. The order came to a
total of $89.07
The package didn't come, and didn't come. It was apparently just
"stuck" at the sorting station in L.A. After a MONTH of fighting with
FastTech as to where my package is, insisting that THEY had to find out
the information, not me " making arrangements with the post office to
deliver it", which is what they told me to do. Finally a month later they
tell me the package was returned because of :
"After checking with the post office, they replied us that the package
was returned back to us since it was rejected by your country
customs(import prohibition)."
Mind you, the United States has no import restriction on plain glass
tubes, nor on acrylic drip tips. USPS will not tell me the reason the
package was returned, the automated response says I have to contact
the sender. I have no idea if the package was returned for "import
prohibition" or simply because the package was crushed because of
improper packing.The reason I say this is in the picture they supply of
the package before it is shipped was Fastech put $89.07 with of Pyrex
tubes in a brown paper package and not a box. Imagine how they would
ship more expensive equipment!
Now I am having to fight with FastTech to get my refund. And I don't
know the real reason I didn't get my package and whether FastTech is
lying to me ( probably) At the most, they say they will refund everything
"except the shipping fees" which is around $10.00.
So basically, at the best, I paid $10.00 for the privilege of hassling with
them for a month.

EDIT: I put in an arbitration with PayPal to have them assist with the
discussion. FastTech kept emailing me personally and not sending it
through PayPal. They sent me an email saying I had to change the
amount I wanted refunded to be minus the shipping, or they wouldn't
give me ANY money OF OUR "disputed" amount. I told FastTech to only
communicate with me through PayPal. I also called PayPal.
Do yourselves a favor. Don't do business with this company. Seriously.
EDIT: 6/11/2015
Because I paid with PayPal I took the matter up with them, and once I
escalated it up to a claim, within two days they got me a full refund.
What FastTech was trying to do is illegal. What a surprise, I say
sarcastically. I wish all this info could be distributed everywhere for
unsuspecting buyers. I am writing the outcome here in case anyone
here is going through the same situation to let them know you are
entitled to your FULL refund ... But don't do business with them.
see more

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Jeff

a month ago

I would say that SOME of the stuff on there is fake, for sure. However,

I've bought "Authentic" Kanger and Cloupor items whose scratch-off

codes properly validate on the manufacturer's site.
I think to make a blanket statement like this based upon one
conversation with a Smok rep would be a little too hasty.

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Peter Mller

5 months ago

The text about batteries is here singled out at Fasttech but they made
similar statements to fake products at aliexpress ect ect. I got theese
information on my own computer and will be able to show it when I get
to it later this week.

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Tracy Lynn McLean

6 months ago

I am so glad you shared this. We will NOT ever order from FT again.
Tracy McLean, Cloud Nine Vapors, LLC

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David

6 months ago

I have spoke with a few suppliers over that myself and and only order if
they sell me a sample product first. There is an overwhelming belief
that us americans will belive what ever they tell us. And they do use it
in there marketing.

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Nate

8 months ago

I made one purchase from FastTech. I ordered a battery, supposed to be

an Ego C-Twist. It took over a month to ship, and when it arrived, it
didn't look like my other 2 C-Twists I purchased from other authentic
sites. Yes, it was cheaper in price, but I guess I got what I paid for. The
battery will not charge anymore, after using it less than 2 months. I
recently received my MVP 2 from WOV. I received the MVP 2 in 3
business days, and I am extremely pleased.

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Porgy Tirebiter

8 months ago

always use good batteries! avoid ultrafire!

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BillyB2k

9 months ago

Funny telling them to sue Fasttech. The Chinese govt shields companies
from those kinds of things to boost their GDP.

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Lauren renee

3 months ago

No I am not agree to you because FT is not fake.Actually there are many

store out there who copied FT.FastTechis a very good store I bought
many things from there and I never had any complain with my order
and lets suppose if Ft is a fake so why they are providing us FastTech
vouchercode and coupons and many people use them and get discount
on their orders and I am the one of them and if you don't believe it you
can check it by yourself

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Looner Lauren renee

3 days ago

How do you know all their merchandise is real? And what if your
purchase is returned and they won't tell you for a month like
they did with me? I don't think you are a real customer.

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Mike Burgess Lauren renee

9 days ago

Apologies Lauren, but the fake shill account is a bit obvious. I'm
curious where you're from, as your grasp of the English
language (or lack thereof) gives you away. It was a good effort

though.

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Lima Dan Lauren renee

2 months ago

Agree with Lauren! i used FastTech Coupon Code which i got

discount on my order
http://wativ.com/stores/fastte...

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Lima Dan Lauren renee

2 months ago

thanks a lot Lauren Renee