Bogus Umbrellas, Bath Towels, and Luggage Zippers: New This Week
Shortly after we published our updated umbrella guide this spring, a commenter pointed out a potential problem with our top pick, the Repel Easy Touch. The design had changed, apparently: The commenter shared a picture of two Repel umbrellas purchased from Amazon, one last September and one this April, with different canopies and construction, writing, “Not sure if better or worse, but different.”
We ordered a new Repel Easy Touch, and the differences between the model we tested while writing the guide and the one we received in April were stark. As the commenter pointed out, the two umbrellas were made of a different fabric, and the newer one felt much thinner. Most damningly, the new umbrella we received lacked the nine-rib design that helped make our top pick so sturdy.
Counterfeit items crop up on Amazon periodically, and we immediately worried that this umbrella was another case. At Wirecutter, our editorial team makes all decisions about what is and isn’t a Wirecutter pick. But our affiliates team is in charge of curating our links out to the best places to buy everything we recommend, including hunting down bogus products.
Tony Kaye, our affiliate coordinator, noted a few steps that he follows to avoid fakes on Amazon when linking out from our guides—steps that he thinks all readers should follow too. “Always confirm the seller, even if you’re clicking through from a trustworthy site, and go with Amazon fulfillment when possible, even if another seller is undercutting the price. If you go looking for a cheaper/better price on your own, be cautious for fake seller feedback.”
With Tony’s help, I reached out to Repel to see what had happened to the Amazon listing of the Easy Touch Umbrella. Turns out, the company had been dealing with “a pervasive counterfeiting issue” involving that model on Amazon for the past five to six weeks, according to a representative of Repel’s parent company. With help from Tony, we discovered that the model we ordered had been sold by a Russian counterfeiter, even though we had used the same listing to order the model we tested in February. Repel has assured us that the issue has been resolved, but in the meantime Tony has begun more actively monitoring the sellers on the Repel umbrella’s Amazon listing. If you received a counterfeit umbrella through the Amazon link during this time period, reach out to Amazon and explain the situation. Amazon should provide you a full reimbursement.
Here are some other things we updated this week:
Bath Towels: Our former top pick, the Fieldcrest Luxury Solid Towel, has been discontinued, so we now recommend the Kohl’s Chaps Home Richmond Turkish Cotton Luxury Bath Towel, our former runner-up, as the top pick.
USB 3.0 Flash Drives: Our current pick, the Sandisk Extreme CZ80 USB 3.0, has had increasingly frequent stock issues. We’re in the process of looking into other options, but for now, our runner-up, the SanDisk Extreme Go USB 3.1, is still a great choice.
Thermoses: We retested our finalists in response to reader feedback, and updated this guide to note that none of the thermoses could keep cold foods at safe temperatures for more than two hours.
In-Wall Wireless Light Switch Dimmers: We finished testing the Ecobee Switch+ and have added some information to the Competition section about why we’re not recommending it. We also removed the WiOn Indoor In-Wall Wi-Fi Switch, which has been recalled.
Checked Luggage and Carry-On Luggage: We’ve corrected an error in our discussion of the zippers on both sizes of the Travelpro Platinum Magna 2, after a reader pointed out that they’re actually made by Supra.
Smart Water-Leak Detectors: We previously dismissed the Delta Water Leak Detector, but now the company has discontinued it and issued a recall. If you do own one, contact Delta at 855-833-LEAK (5325) or leakdetection@deltafaucet.com for more information.
Mentioned above
- Year after year, we put our top picks to the test through dozens of extreme-weather events. Read on to see what we recommend.The Best Umbrellas for Wind and Rain
- We’ve researched hundreds of towels and tested dozens, and the Frontgate Resort Collection Bath Towel is the softest, warmest, and most durable towel we’ve found.The Best Bath Towel
- Life is too short to rely on bad USB flash drives. We have fast, reliable picks that won’t hurt your wallet.The Best USB Flash Drives
- We compared 22 food thermoses and tested 10, and we're confident we've found the best one for most people. Read on to see what we recommend.The Best Food Thermos
- A smart dimmer works like a regular switch but makes it easy to put lights on a schedule, automate them with other devices, and control them remotely.The Best In-Wall Smart Light Switch and Dimmer
- After researching 30 models, we found that Travelpro Platinum Elite 25" Expandable Spinner is the best suitcase for most travelers who check bags.The Best Suitcases for Checking
Further reading
Bug Control Gear That Actually Works
by Harry Sawyers
Here are the pest repellents and traps that experts agree can effectively keep bugs away.
The Top 20 Things Wirecutter Readers Bought During Cyber Week 2018
by Ganda Suthivarakom
According to Wirecutter data from 2018, the most popular purchases included bedding and linens, air purifiers, and vacuums.
The Best Bathroom Rugs and Bath Mats
by Alex Arpaia
A good bath mat can keep you from slipping and add some pizzazz to your bathroom. These three durable and comfortable options will work for a variety of styles.
The Best Beach and Surf Gear: Towels, Totes, Coolers, and More
by Kit Dillon
After six years of relaxing in the sand and playing in the surf, we’ve chosen the best picks to help you enjoy a perfect beach day.