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 |