When shopping online, it’s important to be vigilant, because the sheer volume of products readily available can sometimes make it difficult to tell quality items from potential scams or poorly made goods. This is where doing your own research into companies you want to buy from comes in handy.
What we’ve compiled here is a general idea of what to look out for when identifying products or components that haven’t undergone proper testing or are of low quality. It’s not a comprehensive list; however, it’s a starting point and can easily be applied to all areas of online shopping.
Start with the product listing- it’s what catches your eye quickly and lures you in. While the image of the product may make it look like it’s the answer to all your problems, remember that it’s been buffed and shined to look like that to get your attention. Dig deeper into what the listing is actually saying.
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Look for vague or missing product information. Incomplete descriptions, missing key information (like safety metrics), and leaving out specific features could be an indicator this listing is a scam or a bad copy of what you’re looking for. Sellers with a good reputation usually provide comprehensive information to help customers make informed decisions (ex: “stainless steel” doesn’t tell you enough, where “Type 316, corrosion resistant stainless steel” says a lot more).
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How is the product being shown to the public? Are the images clear, with all necessary pieces visible? Or are they low-resolution, blurry, or have only 1 or 2 photos listed? Scam products often use stolen or low-quality images that don’t accurately represent the item. Look for products with a few, clear images from different angles and ideally, some that show the product in-use.
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Grammatical Errors and Typos are, to us, dead giveaways that the listing is offering either a low-quality or scam product. Typos in technical products? That’s risky. If a listing spells ‘turnbuckle’ three different ways or mixes metric and imperial sizes without explanation, steer clear. These are safety-critical items, not novelty mugs.
- Unusually low prices. If what you’re considering buying is significantly cheaper than a similar product from a brand you already know, that could be an indicator of low quality or a scam. Think about the typical price range for the product you’re considering before buying one that’s dirt-cheap. Let’s say you find a 1/8” stainless steel chain for half the usual price. Either it’s not actually stainless, or it’s not actually rated for load-bearing use. Authentic Type 316 marine-grade steel isn’t cheap—and shouldn’t be.
What do you know about the seller? What are other people saying about this seller/brand/product? Is it a brand or distributor with whom you’ve developed a relationship, or is it an unknown brand? That’s not to say buying from new brands can’t turn into a lasting partnership, rather it’s worth the Google search to find out more.
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Contact Info. Can you find their location easily? Is there a phone number or email address available? Who should you be talking to when ordering from them? Sellers with minimal or no contact details should alert suspicion.
- Buying rigging hardware from a no-name seller with no website, no customer service, and no listed WLLs? That’s a gamble. E-Rigging has been serving professional and DIY customers for over 20 years—we welcome questions and share our load chart PDFs freely.
- Little to no reviews. True, new products generally don’t have as many reviews as a flagship item, however a product that’s been listed for some time without any reviews is a telling sign that either a) nobody’s buying it due to poor quality or b) the seller is hiding negative feedback. E-Rigging’s Trustpilot Reviews are out in the open for everyone to see; having that level of transparency is critical for our customers to have trust in what they’re buying.
- In the same vein, have you ever seen reviews on a product with several that have the same language and are posted around the same time? Some scam sellers will post fake reviews or have bots review their products to beef up their presence. Keep an eye out for sellers with a mix of positive and negative feedback that reads as genuine.
- Finally, comments and reviews that target poor-quality materials, the product not matching the description, or lack of functionality are generally red flags to look out for.
How are you getting the products you ordered? Logistically speaking, the entire order could be all well and good up until you go to check out. It’s here that many shoppers get caught up in a scam by not giving the page a thorough inspection before hitting “confirm purchase.”
- You’re probably familiar with several payment methods and have used them on multiple occasions. Generally, you know you can trust those methods. However, when a seller only accepts unusual or unsecured payment methods (think gift cards or requests to input your bank’s routing number), alarms should be going off. Secure payment options are the way to go, with methods you’re aware of and trust.
- Unclear Shipping Information: A lack of clear shipping costs, delivery times, or return policies can be concerning. Legitimate sellers are usually transparent about these details. Reputable suppliers list shipping cutoffs, estimated delivery, and return policies clearly. At E-Rigging, our customers know exactly what to expect, whether it’s a small order of thimbles or a bulk shipment of beam clamps.
Scam products with no liability often appear on major retailers’ websites, like Amazon. It’s important to remember that not all products are directly sold by Amazon, though the platform does host many third-party sellers, meaning the seller is often liable for product quality and safety. Yes, the retail giant does have policies in place to protect buyers, however caveat emptor, buyer beware.
- Prioritize buying from brands you’ve worked with directly, or well-known and reputable brands.
- Take a spin around a search page before purchasing products or components from an unfamiliar seller or products you’ve never bought before.
- Social media is often misleading in the e-commerce space. There are plenty of scam brands out there making really attractive ads to lure you in, only to under-deliver or rip you off entirely.
Scams don’t just cost money; they can compromise safety. When you're buying wire rope, load binders, or something as small as a quick link, make sure you’re not trading a few dollars for a risky knockoff. When in doubt, source from verified specialists like E-Rigging.
Scammers are out there, and their marketing can be pretty good. Paying close attention to the details we’ve listed can significantly increase your chances of identifying and avoiding scam products or those of poor quality when shopping online. Just doing a little more research on a brand or product can save you, your company, and your wallet in the long run.
