Canadian men are facing an unsettling online shopping reality: brand new underwear orders from Amazon are arriving looking anything but fresh. Multiple shoppers across the country are reporting receiving visibly worn, stained, and previously used intimate apparel from third-party sellers on the e-commerce giant's platform.
The Disturbing Discovery
What begins as a routine online purchase of basic men's underwear has turned into a hygiene nightmare for numerous customers. Instead of crisp, packaged new garments, shoppers are unboxing items that show clear signs of previous wear including stretched elastic, fabric pilling, and in some alarming cases, visible stains and discoloration.
One Toronto resident described his experience as "absolutely disgusting," noting that the underwear he received had obvious wear patterns and lacked any original packaging. "These weren't just tried on—they'd been worn, washed, and sent to another customer," he reported.
How This Is Happening
The problem appears to stem from Amazon's commingled inventory system, where products from different sellers are mixed together in fulfillment centers. This means that even when purchasing from a reputable seller, customers might receive merchandise that actually came from a less scrupulous source.
Experts point to several potential causes:
- Return fraud where customers send back used items
- Poor quality control in Amazon's return processing
- Deliberate scams by third-party sellers
- Cross-contamination in warehouse inventory systems
Protecting Yourself as a Consumer
Canadian shoppers aren't powerless against this concerning trend. There are several steps you can take to reduce your risk of receiving used intimate apparel:
- Check seller ratings carefully before purchasing any clothing items
- Look for "Ships from and sold by Amazon.ca" rather than third-party sellers
- Inspect items immediately upon delivery and document any issues with photos
- Report any used items to Amazon customer service immediately
- Consider purchasing from brands that sell directly through their own websites
Amazon's Response and Consumer Rights
When confronted about these incidents, Amazon has typically offered refunds and apologies to affected customers. The company maintains that such occurrences are rare and violate their seller policies.
"We want customers to shop with confidence on our store," an Amazon spokesperson stated. "If ever a customer is concerned with an order, we encourage them to contact our Customer Service directly so we can make it right."
Under Canadian consumer protection laws, retailers are required to provide products that match their description. Used underwear sold as new clearly violates this fundamental requirement, giving consumers strong grounds for refunds and potentially further action.
The Bigger Picture for Online Shopping
This underwear issue highlights broader concerns about quality control in the fast-paced world of e-commerce. As online marketplaces prioritize speed and convenience, some consumer protection measures appear to be falling through the cracks.
The trend serves as a wake-up call for all online shoppers, particularly when purchasing items where hygiene is non-negotiable. While Amazon offers convenience and competitive pricing, this situation demonstrates that vigilance remains essential—even when buying from trusted platforms.
As one affected customer put it: "You expect new to mean new, especially with something as personal as underwear. This experience has made me rethink how I shop online entirely."
