Many of us have wasted money on a fake product that pretended to be a genuine brand. No one wants to be tricked into buying fake products. To avoid such a failure next time, Bellara gathered some tips and indicators which can help you identify fakes. We've got 12 ways for you to spot a counterfeit product.
Let's check it out!
1. Price. Whether you are shopping on the high street, through mobile apps or online, price can be one of the first indicators. While not always the case, counterfeits tend to be cheaper than the genuine brand so you should be wary of unusually low prices.
If a price on a designer items is too good to be true, then chances are it's fake. Check the advertised price against the recommended retail price of the brand - what might seem like a bargain could leave you with poor quality imitation. You can also check the price tags; have the brand logo printed on it? Does the price tag look too generic? If so, then the product is most likely counterfeit.
2. Stitching. When a product is authentic, the stitching will appear much cleaner than is duped counterparts. The stitching on authentic items will be straight and contain more stitches per square inch. Fake items will have less stitching (more materials = more cost) and the lines won’t be nearly as straight.
3. Fastenings. Be wary of zippers and pulls on designer bags and jackets. The fastenings on counterfeit items tend to be glossy, lightweight, and will often chip or peel after excessive use. Authentic brands will use a matte finish to their zippers and pulls. When used, the fastenings should feel heavy and zippers should be easy to use
4. Logo. Probably the easiest way to spot a counterfeit item is by looking at the logo design. The logo on designer brands should look perfect; there should be no details missing from the company name or logo icon. Fake items may not even have a logo and will instead try to trick consumers based on the color and shape of the product. Many high-end brands will have a metal logo or leather logo, while some will often stamp their logo onto the product.
5. Buttons. If you’re about to purchase a peacoat or button down, check the buttons if you’re unsure the item is real or fake. Genuine brand buttons will have the company name engraved, while counterfeits will use a cheap and light plastic that’s unlabeled. The buttons should also be sewn on securely when it’s an authentic item.
6. Leather. Another easiest way to spot a counterfeit item is by determining whether it is made from real leather. When picking up the item, run your hand over the surface. If the surface of the item feels smooth and even, then chances are the product is a fake. Real leather will have a slightly uneven texture. The smell of real leather will also be prominent if the item is new. Finally, look at the material; is the material shiny? If so, then this is probably a fake designer product as real leather does not have a glossy finish.
7. Spelling. While many imposters have stepped up their game when creating counterfeit items, sometimes there can be spelling errors on the fake products. When looking at the logo, be sure that the brand name is spelled correctly. Don’t forget to check tags to see whether the spelling is correct there.
8. Fabric. If the item isn’t made of leather, then be sure to assess the type of fabric used. The fabric of authentic items should feel weighted and of finer quality. The fabric should not have pulls or rips in it, nor should the color fade or bleed. Oftentimes designer brands will include their logo design on the interior fabric, so be sure to check for this small detail.
9. Quality. Counterfeits are often produced using cheaper and poor-quality materials such as fake leather, low quality glass, inferior cloth materials and old or used electronic parts. If the item does not look or feel authentic, it likely isn’t. When buying products from a reseller, Protect yourself and ask them about their supplier quality assurance processes.
10. Supplementary Materials. Always confirm that there are supplementary materials included within the packaging. Tech products such as laptops, headphones, speakers, and even kitchen gadgets will all have the proper owner’s manual and instructions included. Check that all the pieces to the product are included in the box as oftentimes this is not the case. Check for batteries (if stated that they are included), remotes, attachments, and warranty information.
11. Packaging. Inspecting the packaging is another way to distinguish an original from a counterfeit. Reputable brands and business invest in high quality packaging so if you receive an item in ill-fitting or suspicious packaging or wrapped in what appears to be cheap plastic or flimsy materials then it could be a warning sign. Items which come without any packaging at all are almost definitely fakes.
The packaging of authentic item is an important branding element that no one can ignore. Check also the spelling errors, flawed logos or trademarks are further indicators that an item is a fake.
12. Payment method. When making in-person transactions, look out for signs that your customer data or credit card information may not be handled and stored in as securely as you would expect from legitimate retailers. For online purchases, check that your payments are submitted via websites which begin with https:// and which are accompanied by a lock symbol. Legitimate online retailers tend to request payment via credit or debit cards, or with PayPal so consumers should be suspicious if they are asked to make a payment through a direct money transfer, such as a bank transfer.
That's our 12 tips for you guys to help you distinguish the authentic and counterfeit. At Bellara, we personalize the buying of our products. We personally travel to another country to purchase those branded items. Making it sure that we are only getting the authentic products and to give you the best deals in the region. As a reseller we do not want to compromise the quality and the authenticity of the product to provide a great deal to our customers.
