"Fake" Stephen King - Sells on Amazon

[Randall Flagg]

There is an author who sells books on Amazon using the name Stephen King. Some of his books have catchy titles and covers. Most of the reviews on page one are 1 star (surprise, surprise), but his overall rating atop the page is 2.5 stars.

If there were more 1 star reviews, it would lower his rating.

Thoughts?

Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Beast-Control-...s=stephen+king

[cit74]

A three star review:

October 23, 2015
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
Another one of those strange books. Not one of the Stephen Kings great ones.To me just bla and not one that I care for.

Makes me wonder which Stephen King this person was comparing these stories to…

[Joe315]

He's not the only author being mimicked. I can think of two off the top of my head: James K. Rollins impersonating James Rollins (Omega Force to the real Rollins Sigma Force) and Preston Child impersonating Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child.

I hate seeing this especially when people are getting ripped off.

[Randall Flagg]

It doesn't appear that Amazon is going to do anything about it, so the only chance to warn the buying public is more 1 star reviews. Strange how 49% of the reviews are 1 star, but overall he receives 2.5 stars.

[dnemec]

The reviews are hilarious. Under "Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought" are a lot of real King books. However if you were paying attention, alarm bells would go off. For instance, he is #81 under the "horror" heading of kindle fiction. SK is #1.

Regardless, I do feel like Amazon should do something to differentiate the two. It's not illegal to have the same name, but he is exploiting that he writes horror and shares a name with the best horror writer. I'd think Amazon would do something to help out their (dumber) customers, but it is caveat emptor.

[Merlin1958]

It doesn't appear that Amazon is going to do anything about it, so the only chance to warn the buying public is more 1 star reviews. Strange how 49% of the reviews are 1 star, but overall he receives 2.5 stars.

Well, J 48% of the reviews are 3 star or better.

[Joe315]

It doesn't appear that Amazon is going to do anything about it, so the only chance to warn the buying public is more 1 star reviews. Strange how 49% of the reviews are 1 star, but overall he receives 2.5 stars.

Well, J 48% of the reviews are 3 star or better.

These are probably paid for reviews or friends upping his ranking.

[Merlin1958]

It doesn't appear that Amazon is going to do anything about it, so the only chance to warn the buying public is more 1 star reviews. Strange how 49% of the reviews are 1 star, but overall he receives 2.5 stars.

Well, J 48% of the reviews are 3 star or better.

These are probably paid for reviews or friends upping his ranking.

True. I was just saying is all.

[Brian James Freeman]

He's not the only author being mimicked. I can think of two off the top of my head: James K. Rollins impersonating James Rollins (Omega Force to the real Rollins Sigma Force) and Preston Child impersonating Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child.

I hate seeing this especially when people are getting ripped off.

Yeah, Amazon doesn't seem to care as long as the sales are rolling in. I'm thinking of leaving a bunch of one star reviews to help warn the buying public. Nothing fancy, just "Word of warning: this is not the real Stephen King, it's a fake so don't waste your money" kind of deal.

Anyone else want to help?

Brian

[Randall Flagg]

He's not the only author being mimicked. I can think of two off the top of my head: James K. Rollins impersonating James Rollins (Omega Force to the real Rollins Sigma Force) and Preston Child impersonating Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child.

I hate seeing this especially when people are getting ripped off.

Yeah, Amazon doesn't seem to care as long as the sales are rolling in. I'm thinking of leaving a bunch of one star reviews to help warn the buying public. Nothing fancy, just "Word of warning: this is not the real Stephen King, it's a fake so don't waste your money" kind of deal.

Anyone else want to help?

Brian

FYI, Amazon filters their reviews. I left a review that wasn't posted as they have no recent record of me purchasing one of the books.
Not sure I want to spend $5 to help Amazon and "Stephen King" and then leave another review.

[Brian James Freeman]

FYI, Amazon filters their reviews. I left a review that wasn't posted as they have no recent record of me purchasing one of the books.
Not sure I want to spend $5 to help Amazon and "Stephen King" and then leave another review.

I wonder if these are in one of Amazon's "only publish with us" programs -- that's the first time I've heard of them excluding reviews if you hadn't purchased from them since normally they wouldn't know if you had bought something elsewhere.

Brian

[Randall Flagg]

Give it a try (Posting without buying) and see.

[Brian James Freeman]

Give it a try (Posting without buying) and see.

Yep, I will. I'll also check Kobo and BN to see if the fake Stephen King is listed there. If not, then he's an Amazon only author and it appears they've changed the rules a bit in an attempt to crack down on their self-published authors who are paying for good reviews in bulk or asking friends to post good reviews, etc.

Brian