Anyone who has been shopping online can tell you that the products you see on a web page won't always be the same that arrive at your doorstep. Some sellers or retailers oversell the product so you would be encouraged to buy it, but here's how you can sniff out fake advertisements.
1. Check the Reviews
The most basic measure to make sure that the item is of good quality is seeing what other people have to say about it. You'll find that buyers have a lot to say when they don't like what they get, so you'll surely hear about it in the review section.
If the reviews are all good and way too general, such as "five stars," "I love the product," or something else with the same premise, you should also steer clear of the product or service. Chances are the reviews are from bots or paid commenters.
2. Look for Answers in Forums
Even if the reviews are manipulated by sellers or retailers, it might still be a good product. If you insist on buying it but cannot rely on the reviews from the site, you can look for posts about the product or service on forums, particularly Reddit.
If you want to find answers, Reddit holds a lot of honest reviews. Of course, results will depend on what kind of item you're buying or if the brand is common enough. Search in subreddits that have something to do with the thing you're searching for.
3. Read the Description Carefully
Just like reading the fine print when making a huge purchase, the details of the item or service are usually included in the description, since not doing so could lead to the seller or retailer facing consequences, even alerting the law.
Read the description carefully as something could indicate that the item might not be what it is at face value. For instance, you should look into the details when you want authentic leather boots, as the seller usually indicates that they are made of synthetic materials instead.
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4. Does the Price Match the Product?
You won't see cheap items with the best quality very often, so you should definitely question whether the item or service is worth it if the price is suspiciously low. If you see someone selling a "brand new" console for $300, for example, it's best to look elsewhere.
Of course, there are instances when the prices really are just lower than expected for a good item, but this kind of judgment should be reserved for physical purchases since you will be able to examine the item yourself.
5. No Return Policy, No Purchases
If you're skeptical about the product but still want to risk purchasing it, you should at least make sure that you can return the item if it does not meet your standards. Check the return policy as well to see how you'll go about it when you do return the item.
Some policies are designed to be too much of a hassle so disappointed customers would rather just keep it. Some even let the buyers cover the cost of shipping fees when returning the item. Settle for nothing less than a free return if the product or service is not even close to what's advertised.
