Search for a popular supplement on Shopee and you will often see the same product at very different prices. Sometimes the cheapest listing is simply a good deal. Often it is cheaper for a reason.
Why prices differ
What can make a listing cheaper
- 01It is counterfeitCopies of popular brands are cheaper to make than the real thing.
- 02It is near or past expiryOld stock sells at a discount. In one listing we reviewed, the specification panel showed an expiry date months in the past.
- 03It is not registered hereA personal import or grey-market product, sold without Philippine registration, skips the costs of doing it properly.
- 04The “discount” is inventedAn inflated original price makes a normal price look like 80 or 90 percent off.
When cheap is fine
Not every bargain is a red flag
Generic products can be legitimately much cheaper than brands. In our vitamin C research, the cheapest product per milligram from an official store was a generic ascorbic acid tablet, properly registered with the FDA, at about a quarter of the price of the most expensive pick. Cheap and legitimate is the best outcome. The problem is a branded product sold far below its brand’s own price by an unknown seller.
How to tell the difference
Four checks for a suspiciously cheap listing
- Find the official priceLook up the brand’s own store or a major pharmacy’s store. Some listings even quote a suggested retail price in their own description.
- Compare price per doseMake sure you are comparing the same pack size and strength. How to work it out.
- Check registration and expiryLook up the FDA number and find the expiry date before you buy.
- Check the sellerAuthorised distributor? How long in business? Brand-name products are safest from the brand’s own store.
Price questions
Why is the same supplement so much cheaper from some sellers?
It may be a genuine discount, but it can also be counterfeit, near expiry, unregistered, or listed with an inflated “original” price.
Are generic vitamins worse than branded ones?
Not necessarily. A registered generic can contain the same amount of the same nutrient at a much lower price. Check the registration and the dose.
Is a big discount on Shopee a warning sign?
Discounts of 80 percent or more on supplements are worth questioning. Compare with the brand’s official store price.
Where is the safest place to buy branded supplements online?
The brand’s official store or an authorised retailer’s official store, after checking the product on the FDA portal.
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