What are these weird little 'notation' type numbers in listing titles about?

[gurlcat]

Here are a couple of examples I just found but not the only ones I've seen.  Incidentally these are two different sellers, or at least different handles, ha.  Anyway these little numbers above some of the words in the titles (can't remember if I've seen other numbers besides 3's) -what's up with this? 



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[eburtonlab]

No idea. Perhaps one seller added the superscripts to see if other sellers were copying the item listings. Or someone thought the superscripts made the listings "stand out", and others copied that.

I notice all the current sellers using the superscripts either have abysmal feedback or else are new to selling.

There are a lot of counterfeit flea collars manufactured overseas, and some may actually be dangerous to your pets.

I would strongly recommend buying flea collars from trusted domestic sources only.

[gurlcat]

Oh I'm totally familiar.  The first one I bought (years ago) turned out to be fake -didn't hurt my cats but didn't hurt fleas either.  I found out how to tell the difference from the photos.  Of course that doesn't mean they actually have what they show in the photos, but I actually bought from the one on top ^ here, because they have tons of feedback, 100% pos, including for their Seresto cat collars.  I know, still not an absolute guarantee, but I'll know in a day or two (at least shipping did originate in CA and is moving fast).  

[richard1rst]

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@gurlcat wrote:

Here are a couple of examples I just found but not the only ones I've seen.  Incidentally these are two different sellers, or at least different handles, ha.  Anyway these little numbers above some of the words in the titles (can't remember if I've seen other numbers besides 3's) -what's up with this? 



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A few additional thoughts in addition to the above.

Right off, the seller is suspect since policy says you can not add text to a picture. Then the text says USA stock and Ships from USA. That to me waves a big red flag that this is a Chinese seller. Without painting with too broad of a brush that says to me counterfeit.

Finally, the thought may be that it will escape a VERO complaint since the bots will be looking for "Seresto" and the addition of the superscript makes it not a perfect match. I place no value on that assumption - I merely offer it as what the seller might be thinking.

[eburtonlab]

I actually bought from the one on top ^ here, because they have tons of feedback, 100% pos, including for their Seresto cat collars. I know, still not an absolute guarantee, but I'll know in a day or two (at least shipping did originate in CA and is moving fast).

That seller does have 100% feedback, and apparently does indeed ship from the US as advertised, so not all those sellers have abysmal feedback.

But I notice the seller account is registered in SE Asia, and more than likely sources their products from nearby before shipping to a US warehouse for distribution.

[robbie31415]

Usually amazon "dropshippers" that use this lingo, I'd compare to Amazon.