Hi fellow eBayers, please be cautious when bidding for Molton Brown products on eBay. I had previously fallen victim to an eBayer passing fake products off on eBay as genuine items. Upon checking other listings, I realise that there are others out there, perhaps unknowingly selling fake products they bought off eBay.

Molton Brown is a brand that I enjoy using. I do love to have a good therapeutic spa bath or invigorating shower at home. And I enjoy collecting its full range of bath & shower products to suit my mood. Real Molton Brown products are made with copious amount of essential oils, exotic extracts and natural fragrance which will stay on your skin for a good part of the day. The fakes are just cheap imitations and sometimes, just coloured gels with ingredients that might be harmful to your skin! However it can be difficult to judge if the items are fake until they arrive.

Here are some tips that might help you differentiate genuine Molton Brown from the fakes:
• Make sure the picture on the listing is sharp so you can compare the images with your own products.
• Images that are the sellers own are good – These can range from professional looking ones to blurry pictures. If they are sourced from the web, ask for actual product images.
• If you think something is amiss or you are unsure about, ask the seller – genuine sellers should be more than happy to answer your questions.
• Fake product colour is different and fake bottles are, very noticeably, not completely filled to the brim with the product.
• Fake Ultra Light Bai Ji Hydrator (glass bottle) is easy to spot – the words are navy blue instead of vibrant sky blue and the signature MB “bumps” are off-centre. (Please note that there is a travel version of Ultra Light Bai Ji Hydrator that comes in a plastic bottle)
• Also, the cap doesn't fit the bottle properly and will look very wonky.
• The “Molton Brown” printing on the fake bottles is bolder, darker and smudged.
• Fakes have only been known to come in full sized 300ml bottles... so far. (Except Bai Ji Hydrator which is 100ml)

If you suspect the Molton Brown you've bought is possibly fake, here are more tips to help you check:
• This is very obvious – Check colour, fragrance and consistency. The product should “flow like runny honey” not in gloopy lumps!
• Test it and you will definitely smell, feel and see the difference. The fragrance should be complex and evocative, not like cheap perfume.
• The fake “Molton Brown” embossing on the silver cap is slightly rounded as compare to the sharp, “flat” embossing on the real cap.
• The “300ml” text on the bottle looks different. Check it against another bottle – the number “3” is the one to inspect.

So far, fake products seem to be ONLY restricted to the following therapies and ONLY in the listed size:
• Re-Charge Black Pepper Bodywash 300ml
• Ultra Light Bai Ji Hydrator 100ml
• Celestial Maracuja Bathing Nectar 300ml
• Inspiring Wild Indigo Bath & Shower 300ml
• Inspiring Wild Indigo Body Lotion 300ml (Genuine MB only comes in 200ml!)
• Cleanshine Quillaja Hairwash 300ml
• Ziao Jao Healthy Hairwash 300ml
• Indian Cress Instant Conditioner 300ml
• Rosé Granati Fine Liquid Handwash 300ml
• Rosé Granati Soothing Hand Lotion 300ml
• Thai Vert Fine Liquid Handwash 300ml
• Thai Vert Soothing Hand Lotion 300ml

And for some reason, they always sell them in sets of 6 (from the above list) in a large Molton Brown Gift Box for Unisex, Men or Women! See the seller's other items for sale – if the seller's items for sale are repeatedly limited to the above list, I would question their authenticity. Also check feedback for items sold. Past buyers would have encountered problems with the authenticity of the product and would have left negative feedback. Be careful, always read feedback before buying and if in doubt, ask for details or for extra, sharper pictures.

There are lots of genuine eBayers out there, but their reputation is tarnished by those who sell fake Molton Brown on eBay. If you have purchased fake products, demand a full refund, and/or report to eBay.

Finally, shop wisely and good luck!


NEWS FLASH!!!:
There has been a new development in the selling of fake Molton Brown products on eBay. Unfortunately, new fake products have surfaced and are currently spotted on eBay. Please see my new guide “NEWS FLASH!!! FAKE MOLTON BROWN UPDATE!!!” for more information.