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Comment by neartheplain | Hacker News Reader

Unfortunately, even this approach isn’t foolproof. Fake brand-name products make it into supply chains all the time, especially on sites like Amazon via third-party sellers. In China for example, “fake alcohol” (where brand-name bottles are refilled with cheaper, sometimes dangerous off-brand liquors) has been a big problem:

https://www.mersolluo.com/china-cracking-down-on-counterfeit...

I can’t imagine that the rubbing alcohol wipe industry is that much more resistant to counterfeiting.

(Edit: It’s not- https://wjla.com/features/7-on-your-side/scammers-promise-cl...)

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Yeah that is true. I'm hoping Costco has their supply chain down well enough that it's not an issue, but at least there is a slightly higher chance it's legit if it says Clorox on the side.

Yeah, we've gone back to having to trust the brand name of the distributor - if it says it came from Amazon it is basically assumed to be counterfeit chinese crap; Costco and Home Depot (and even Walmart in store) are a bit more secure there.

Does Walmart (online) co-mingle their inventory with third party inventory like Amazon?

Amazon doesn't co-mingle their inventory with 3Ps, they do co-mingle 3Ps that don't opt to avoid it. This is one of the reasons I look for the "sold and shipped by Amazon" for important purchases.

Unfortunately, I've never seen information about how Walmart handles this. Given their massive shift to 3Ps providing most of their products online...I'd imagine they use a similar strategy (it improves same/next day availability and lowers cost). I follow the same strategy with Walmart (try to only buy directly).

It is a sad time for online purchasing :(

I'd heard that they DO mingle their 1st party inventory, but that you have an easy return when it turns out to be fake; but perhaps the story changes.

absolutely, I've been shifting my purchases to in store, leaning heavily towards Costco because whoever their buyers are have a good eye for quality. Also with their incredibly generous return policy I don't really worry about buying things from Costco and will buy by default because I know I can change my mind later if things don't work out.

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