Community Chat

[PickyPicky3]

I rarely write reviews on Amazon, but I was sent a box of N-95 masks with an expired use-by date. I didn't bother returning them because -- it's not like they're cottage cheese. I submitted a short review saying only that I was sent expired merchandise.

Ten seconds later I received an e-mail rejecting the review because I was reviewing the seller, not the product. Amazon readers would learn nothing from my comment and would likely not have a similar experience.

Well! You can make arguments on both sides in this case, but the response was more specific than the usual chatbot, very well written with no spelling or grammatical errors, and totally unapologetic. No "We're sorry to say..." I didn't bother resubmitting.

The new world of AI?

[Shelbelle]

I would have called Amazon CS which you still can do and they will offer you a refund, I have done that several times when I get expired items, I just got refund recently on 2 bags of pretzels that arrived all broken in small pieces, before I could say much, the CS rep gave me a full refund. 

[kaydee50]

I didn't know N-95 masks expired???

[sunshine45]

just passing this along for those who are interested. 
JAMA study 2020

10-Year-Old Expired N95 Masks as Effective as New

Surprisingly, the expired N95 masks were within one percent as effective as the brand new masks–essentially indistinguishable. It’s important to note that this was a relatively small study. The researchers tested six different masks in two model numbers. However, there was no evidence of a meaningful reduction in effectiveness.

[Icegoddess]

Did you review from the E-mail they send asking you about your experience or did you go to the Your Orders page and choose the button for Write a Product Review?  

I rarely review stuff too, but I think the E-mail you get is to review the vendor whereas the button on your orders page is to review the product.  

[PickyPicky3]

@Icegoddess    Submitted from the order page.

[chrystaltree]

KN95 masks have a shelf life of 5 years.  The materials can break down after 5 years.  I learned that at the hospital I worked for.  Hard to believe that any reputable manufacturer would be selling KN95 masks that are over 5 years old.  

[Icegoddess]

@PickyPicky3 Hmmm, I've seen people complain about expried products in the reviews before.  Only thing I can think of is maybe because that's all you said about it.  

[PickyPicky3]

@Icegoddess    I think it's a new AI response system. 

[Mindy D]

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@kaydee50 wrote:

I didn't know N-95 masks expired???

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@kaydee50 @Genuine, NIOSH certified, N 95 masks do.