Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the challenges consumers face in distinguishing genuine agarwood products from counterfeit ones in the market, exacerbated by misleading marketing tactics and similar appearances of products [1][3]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - The agarwood market is characterized by a variety of promotional phrases focusing on "oil content," leading to consumer confusion and potential overpricing of inferior products [3][21]. - In the "Agarwood Night Market," prices for cultivated agarwood bracelets vary significantly, with ordinary types priced at tens of yuan per gram, while those that can sink in water can reach up to three hundred yuan per gram, showing a price difference of nearly thirty times [5][7]. - The price of wild agarwood, which is under strict national protection, ranges from thousands to hundreds of thousands of yuan per gram, indicating its scarcity and high value [11]. Group 2: Quality and Processing - The quality of agarwood is primarily determined by oil content, with higher oil levels leading to better density, weight, and fragrance, making "sinking grade" the recognized quality standard [14]. - The processing methods significantly affect the price, with larger sizes and specific shapes commanding higher prices due to material usage [16]. - Some merchants enhance the appearance of low-quality agarwood by adding essential oils during polishing, which misrepresents the product's true quality [19][22]. Group 3: Counterfeit Products - A term referred to as "technology goods" is used by merchants to describe advanced counterfeiting techniques that make it difficult for consumers to detect fakes [21]. - Merchants often use methods such as oil infusion and pressure treatment to artificially enhance the appearance of low-quality agarwood, allowing them to sell these products at inflated prices [22][36]. - The market has seen a rise in the sale of artificially treated agarwood products, which are often disguised as high-quality items, leading to consumer deception [39]. Group 4: Regulatory Challenges - Despite the presence of detection standards, the effectiveness of these regulations is questioned, as many counterfeit products still receive certification based on superficial criteria [41][45]. - The testing centers often fail to identify artificially treated agarwood, as they only assess basic characteristics, allowing substandard products to pass as genuine [47][51]. - The inconsistency in testing results across different institutions further complicates the ability of consumers to ascertain the true quality of agarwood products [53].

Core Viewpoint - The Southeast region's largest agarwood market is characterized by diverse promotional tactics, leading to consumer difficulties in distinguishing genuine products from counterfeit ones, resulting in frequent instances of consumers overpaying for fake goods [1] Group 1: Market Practices - Promotional language in agarwood e-commerce live streams heavily focuses on terms like "full of oil" and "genuine products," creating a misleading perception of product quality [1] - A visit to the night market in Maoming, Guangdong, revealed that the price difference for Qinan bracelets can reach up to 30 times, indicating significant price inflation in the market [1] Group 2: Product Manipulation - Some factory managers admitted to enhancing the appearance of inferior agarwood by using Qinan essential oil for polishing or soaking, which improves color and fragrance, thereby allowing low-quality products to be sold at high prices [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the challenges consumers face in distinguishing genuine agarwood products from counterfeit ones in the market, exacerbated by misleading marketing tactics and similar appearances of products [1][3]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - The agarwood market is characterized by a variety of promotional phrases emphasizing "oil content," leading to consumer confusion and potential overpricing of inferior products [3][21]. - In the "China Agarwood Capital," a night market showcases numerous vendors selling different grades of agarwood, with prices varying significantly based on quality and oil content [5][7]. - The price of wild agarwood has skyrocketed due to its classification as a protected species, with prices ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of yuan per gram [11]. Group 2: Product Quality and Standards - The quality of agarwood is primarily determined by oil content, with higher oil levels indicating better quality, and "sinking grade" being the recognized standard for premium products [14]. - The processing methods, such as polishing and oil infusion, can artificially enhance the appearance of lower-quality agarwood, misleading consumers about the product's true value [19][22]. - Industry standards, such as the national forestry standards, are in place to regulate agarwood quality, but enforcement and adherence appear inconsistent [12][40]. Group 3: Counterfeit Products and Consumer Risks - A significant issue in the market is the emergence of "technology goods," which are artificially enhanced agarwood products that mimic higher-quality items, making it difficult for consumers to identify genuine products [21][30]. - Some vendors resort to using low-quality wood as a base, injecting it with oils to simulate the appearance of high-quality agarwood, which raises ethical concerns about product authenticity [36][38]. - Despite the presence of testing centers, the ability to accurately assess the quality of agarwood products is limited, as many counterfeit items can still receive certification based on superficial criteria [40][52].