Product review (5 stars): Genuine Item - Good Price
As with many items, buying through Amazon was cheaper than I can get it locally.  It was the original filter - same packaging, size, etc. as the humidifier came with.  It has been getting harder to find these in local stores (and they are almost always more expensive), so I was glad to get them through Amazon.  The filters work well with my humidifier (the Vornado, itself, also works well).  I'm wrapping up the second season with this humidifier, and it puts out a few gallons of water daily...

All of that being said, I made sure to purchase the one shipping from Amazon.  If you purchase items shipped by others, perhaps you won't get the genuine replacement?