Beware of Marketplace PPE Sellers

With personal protective equipment being a part of our daily regime for quite some time now, there are many, many sources from which one can purchase KN95 and N95 masks, including marketplaces full of unknown suppliers.

Are these suppliers authorized? Are they equipped with their MDEL? Are they well-versed in the world of personal protective equipment? When it comes to marketplace sellers offering PPE, the answer to these questions is usually no. So how can we ensure that we’re purchasing from a legitimate supplier and will receive authentic KN95 and N95 masks? What is the actual risk of using a mask from an unknown seller? Let’s discuss it!

THE RISKS WHEN PURCHASING FROM AN UNKNOWN/UNAUTHORIZED MARKETPLACE SELLER

The level of risk ultimately boils down to who is wearing the mask. If you’re someone who is immunocompromised or visiting with someone who is, you’re relying heavily on the mask you’re wearing to perform at optimal levels (i.e., a good fit, facial seal and minimum filtration rate of 95%, what N95 and KN95 masks provide). This makes the risk of you wearing an inauthentic mask to be quite high, as you could be endangering yourself or those around you.

If you’re indoors in a crowded or tightly-packed space (i.e., a plane or busy store), the risk of not wearing a mask is also quite high. You’re can’t be sure who these people have come in contact with, whether or not they have travelled recently or do frequently, or if they’ve been on top of testing themselves regularly. The chance of getting infected or even infecting another is likely while navigating these types of environments, making it a risky decision to wear a mask from an unknown, unauthorized seller who isn’t able to provide you with a recent test report.

If you’re using a mask to simply go about your day, the risk is lower, however, still a risk and not ideal. Why invest your hard-earned money into an inauthentic N95/KN95 mask from an unknown seller, when you’re paying for optimal levels of protection and a minimum filtration rate of 95%?

2 STEPS TO TAKE TO ENSURE YOU’RE PURCHASING FROM A LEGITIMATE SUPPLIER

1. READ THE REVIEWS

When shopping from marketplaces like Wal-Mart and Amazon, we can always learn from other people’s experiences! Check out the reviews on the product and see what others are saying about the mask’s fit, feel and facial seal as well as how confident they are in its protection. You can gain a lot of insight from these reviews, allowing you to spot potential issues and come to a more educated decision.

2.REACH OUT TO THEM

It can be a bit cumbersome communicating with sellers on marketplaces (i.e., Amazon) and you may have to wait a few days for an answer, but simply reaching out to the seller to ask important questions could be worth it in the long run, especially if you’re investing your time and trust into their product. You want to ensure that it’s going to perform at the levels promised.

So, ask the marketplace seller if they have their MDEL, if they’re an authorized seller of PPE and if they have recent test reports on the masks they are offering. If they aren’t able to answer your questions or provide you with any confirmation, then it would be smart to question their legitimacy and look onward.

PPE SUPPLY CANADA, NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

Yes, you read that right! Canada’s favourite PPE retailer is now available on Amazon! We’re always working hard to increase ease and convenience for our valued customers, as we understand that the demands of life can keep us busy. When you’re stocking up on everyday household items, you can now add a few of our high-quality KN95 and N95 masks to your order.

PURCHASE OUR INDIVIDUALLY SEALED KN95 MASK ON AMAZON HERE

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

At the end of the day, it’s always best to have a go-to personal protective equipment retailer where you can grab your N95 and KN95 masks with ease. This will ensure that every time you make a purchase, you’ll not only be satisfied with the items you’ve received but will be absolutely protected at the levels promised. If you’re using marketplaces like Amazon, Wal-Mart, etc., take a few extra steps to ensure you’re receiving what you’re paying for!