• Home
  • News Center
  • Buyer Beward as Shoddy Knock-Offs Infiltrate the Internet

Buyer Beward as Shoddy Knock-Offs Infiltrate the Internet

2/7/2012

Bookmark & Share
  • MySpace
  • Digg
  • Delicious
  • StumbleUpon

The market for counterfeit luxury items is wide and deep, selling everything from jewelry and perfume to handbags and sunglasses. For bargain-hunters looking for name-brand items at discount prices online, Better Business Bureau offers advice on avoiding web-based rip-off schemes.

According to a report by the Department of Homeland Security, the total domestic value of merchandise seized during fiscal 2011 was $78.3 million, an amount that would have had a value of $1.11 billion had it been legitimate. The category of seized consumer safety and critical technology goods rose in value by 41 percent compared to fiscal 2010, the report says.

Online classified sites like Craigslist or eBay are hot spots for counterfeit luxury item fraud online, and both offer "buyer beware" warnings. But venders are now setting up their own websites to fool frugal fashionistas.

"In a tight economy, consumers are always looking to save a buck or two," said Joan Coughlin, spokesperson for the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio. "Too often, what looks to be a ‘great deal’ is really a shoddy knock-off in disguise."

BBB offers the following advice for shopping safely online when looking for deals on designer goods, as well as tips on how to spot a fake:

Always deal with reputable businesses. The number one way to avoid getting ripped off when buying luxury goods is to deal with reputable businesses. When in doubt, shoppers can contact the manufacturer and verify which venders are authorized sellers. Consumers should also check out the business with BBB at www.bbb.org/search before making a purchasing decision.

If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. One of the biggest red flags for knock-off merchandise is an unrealistic price. Extremely low prices are tempting but not to be believed. Paying $100 for a $1000 purse could result in the consumer receiving a poorly constructed – and worthless – fake.

Read between the lines. Some websites or online classified ads will go overboard in their description of the item in order to coax the buyer’s trust. Overuse of "genuine," "real" or "authentic" is a bad sign. Buyers also need to keep an eye out for sneaky phrases like "inspired by."

Check the merchandise. Considering that the name is a large part of the motivation for buying a luxury brand, many manufacturers spend considerable time and energy on crafting the physical label. Counterfeiters aren’t usually as meticulous. Shoppers should look for misspelled words and brand names, poorly sewn logos and labels, etc. Some luxury goods carry an "authenticity label" with a hologram or other security measure.

Know the brand. Different luxury brands, such as purses, have specific hardware consumers can rely on to identify a genuine piece. Zippers, screws, clasps and stitching are usually very specific for the brand and the manufacturer often has details on their website explaining what to look for and how to spot a knock-off. Craftsmanship is king for most luxury brands. If the sunglasses snap in two in the first week, or if the stitching and seams are ragged and don’t match up on a purse, the items are probably counterfeit.

Consumers who have purchased counterfeit luxury goods should contact BBB and can easily file complaints online at www.bbb.org/complain. Consumers can also contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov and file a complaint online there as well.

For more consumer tips you can trust, visit www.centralohio.bbb.org/bbb-news/. To sign up to receive our Scam Alerts, visit BBB Scam Source at www.centralohio.bbb.org/scam-source/.

BBB of Central Ohio serves Columbus and 21 surrounding counties as a leader in advancing marketplace trust by encouraging best practices, celebrating role models, and denouncing substandard behavior. BBB sees trust as functions of respect, ethics, intent, delivering results and addressing concerns. Businesses and charities that earn BBB Accreditation have agreed to live up to our high standards and principals for trust. BBBs provide free and easily accessible Reliability Reports on businesses, Wise Giving Reports on charities, educational information, objective advice, and dispute resolution of marketplace complaints. The first BBB was founded in 1912, and today a network of 128 local BBBs serve communities across the U.S. and Canada, evaluating and monitoring more than 3 million businesses and charities. Please visit www.bbb.org for more information about BBB.
Average Rating | Rate It

z