How I avoid no-name dropshippers on Amazon and find real products
Key things
- To rule out dropshippers, check seller profiles and check product names and descriptions.
- A reverse image search can also help you confirm product authenticity.
- Reading reviews from other customers and avoiding products with suspiciously low prices can also help.
Have you browsed Amazon recently? You notice page after page of the exact same item being sold by seemingly different sellers. These dropshippers try to sell very similar products and usually game the Amazon review system to get to the top of the rankings.
But that’s not what I want to see, so I’ve started using a few different techniques to avoid these unknown Amazon dropshippers.
1 View the seller’s profile
If you come across a product from a new seller on Amazon and you’re not sure if you’re dealing with a reputable seller, click on their name below Add to cart and Buy now buttons.
This will take you to their profile, which will tell you the seller’s average rating over the past 12 months, whether they sell other products, and whether customer feedback has been mostly positive or negative. Also check the name of the seller. Is it a string of random letters or words? If the name seems nonsensical to you, it is unlikely to be a legitimate brand.
2 Pay attention to the name and description of the product
If the seller’s Amazon profile doesn’t raise any red flags, be sure to pay close attention to the product name and description. If you see all possible keywords associated with the product for the title, it is likely that the dropshipper is trying to ensure that their product appears in as many searches as possible.
Genuine and reputable brands usually use straightforward and concise product names rather than relying on keyword stuffing. While you’re at it, check out the product description as well. Ideally, you should see well-written descriptions highlighting specific features and unique selling points. It’s best to avoid products with vague descriptions that don’t make much sense or seem different from the product images.
3 Reverse image search Product photos
Another way to eliminate dropshippers is to do a reverse product image search. There are plenty of reverse image search apps for iPhone and Android, or you can use Google Images or Google Lens in your browser. If the product appears on other sites, especially those that sell discounted wholesale products, you are probably dealing with a dropshipper.
Another way to identify a dropshipper is to check for identical listings from different sellers on Amazon. If several small brands are selling the same product with the same images and similar product descriptions, it is more than likely a dropshipped item.
4 Read reviews from other customers
A quick look at recent reviews can tell you if the product is really worth your money, or if it’s something you’d rather avoid. But the problem is that there are a lot of fake reviews on Amazon, so you can’t take everything you read at face value.
While there are some tools you can use to spot fake reviews on Amazon, I’ve personally found it helpful to only consider three-star ratings and reviews to get the most balanced view of product quality and performance. It goes without saying, but if you see more negative reviews than positive, it’s best to skip the item altogether.
5 Avoid products with suspiciously low prices
I’ve come across some incredible deals on Amazon, but for the most part, I really believe that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Suspiciously low prices usually mean that the product has been shipped and the seller has not checked the performance or reliability of the item.
So no matter how good the deal may seem, do a quick check on Amazon and compare the price with similar products from more established brands. If you notice a significant difference in price, it is worth stopping and reconsidering the purchase.
No matter how small you are on time or looking for deals, don’t rely on Amazon’s algorithm to find you the best products. While there are tricks you can use to find exactly what you need, I recommend using these strategies to avoid substandard products from dropshippers.