Peptide Vendor Red Flags Checklist
The peptide market attracts bad actors due to minimal regulation and high margins. Below is a systematic checklist of red flags organized by severity. One critical red flag is enough to walk away. Multiple moderate flags should raise serious concerns.
Critical Red Flags (Walk Away Immediately)
Red Flag | Why It Matters | Common Excuses | Reality |
---|---|---|---|
No COA available at all | Zero quality verification | "We test internally" | Untested or deliberately hiding bad results |
Medical claims on website | Illegal; shows disregard for law | "We're just sharing research" | Will draw FDA attention; site may disappear |
Accept only crypto/gift cards | Avoiding paper trail | "Privacy protection" | Exit scam likely; no recourse for fraud |
No business address/entity | Can't be held accountable | "Privacy concerns" | Untraceable if they scam you |
Fake/altered COAs | Deliberate fraud | N/A | Criminal behavior; products likely contaminated |
Too-good pricing (50%+ below market) | Likely underdosed or fake | "Direct from manufacturer" | Economics don't work at those margins |
Website <6 months old | Hit-and-run operation | "New to the market" | Will vanish after collecting orders |
Moderate Red Flags (Proceed with Caution)
Red Flag | Concern Level | What to Verify | Acceptable If... |
---|---|---|---|
COA on request only (not posted) | Medium | Request and verify lab is real | Quickly provided with batch numbers matching |
Generic COA (no batch specifics) | Medium | Ask for batch-specific testing | Can provide batch-matched COAs upon request |
Unknown testing lab | Medium-High | Google lab; check if legitimate | Lab exists, responds to verification requests |
Inconsistent pricing (wild fluctuations) | Medium | Check if clearance/sale or norm | Legitimate sales cycles with explanation |
Limited payment methods | Low-Medium | Understand why (credit processing issues) | Uses Zelle/bank transfer with good track record |
Minimal web presence/reviews | Medium | Search forums, ask community | New but verified by trusted community members |
Vague sourcing claims | Medium | Ask specific questions about origin | Provides reasonable sourcing info when asked |
Frequent stock outages | Low-Medium | Check if pattern or isolated | Occasional shortages, transparent about delays |
Minor Yellow Flags (Monitor, Not Disqualifying)
Yellow Flag | Why It's Minor | What to Watch |
---|---|---|
Premium pricing (20-30% above market) | May reflect better service/testing | Verify claimed advantages actually exist |
Slow shipping (5-7 days standard) | Legitimate business model choice | Make sure it's disclosed upfront |
Limited product selection | Specialization can be good | Check if they excel in their niche |
Basic website design | Not all vendors are web developers | Focus on substance over style |
Customer service delays (24-48hr) | Small operations have limits | Ensure they do respond eventually |
Minimum order requirements | Common business practice | Check if requirement is reasonable ($50-150) |
Testing Red Flags: COA Specific
COA Issue | What It Means | How to Spot It | Severity |
---|---|---|---|
No batch number on COA | Can't verify your product was tested | Check if batch # matches vial label | High |
Testing date >12 months old | Could be old stock or one-time test | Check date on COA vs purchase date | Medium |
Perfect purity scores (99.9%+) | Unrealistic; possibly fabricated | Compare to known peptide testing norms | High (if consistent) |
Missing lab contact info | Can't verify authenticity | Try to contact lab directly | High |
Only purity tested (no endotoxin/sterility) | Incomplete safety profile | Look for multi-parameter testing | Medium (purity is priority) |
Watermark obscures data | Possible alteration hiding | Request unwatermarked version | Medium-High |
Different product name on COA | Testing different product entirely | Compare peptide names/sequences | Critical |
Communication Red Flags
Behavior | Red Flag Indicator | Example |
---|---|---|
Defensive when asked for COA | Hiding something | "Don't you trust us?" instead of sending COA |
Medical advice given | Illegal, unprofessional | "This will cure your injury" or dosing guidance |
Pressure tactics | Scam behavior | "Sale ends tonight" with artificial urgency |
Refusal to answer specific questions | Lack of knowledge or hiding info | Won't specify testing lab or sourcing |
Overpromising results | Marketing > reality | "Guaranteed to work" claims |
Verification Checklist Before First Order
- ✓ Website has clear business entity and address
- ✓ COAs are publicly posted or immediately provided upon request
- ✓ Testing lab is verifiable (Google them, check they exist)
- ✓ Batch numbers on COAs match current products
- ✓ Pricing is within 30% of market average for tested products
- ✓ Payment methods include traceable options (credit card, established payment processors)
- ✓ Domain is >6 months old (check at who.is)
- ✓ Community feedback exists (Reddit, forums) and is mostly positive
- ✓ Customer service responds within 48 hours to inquiry
- ✓ Website doesn't make medical claims or guarantees
- ✓ Return/refund policy is clearly stated (even if limited)
- ✓ Contact information works (try calling/emailing before ordering)
Known Testing Labs (Legitimate)
Lab Name | Location | Reputation | Verification Method |
---|---|---|---|
Janoshik Analytical | Czech Republic | Gold standard in community | Website, email verification available |
Colmaric Analyticals | UK | Widely trusted | Website, direct contact possible |
ChemTox Lab | USA | Legitimate, less common | Verifiable business entity |
Lab4Tox | Germany | Emerging, credible | Website and LinkedIn presence |