How to Avoid Counterfeits on Brands | Full Guide

What Is the Harm of Counterfeits on Brands? Guide of How to Buy Original Items

In the post-pandemic era, online purchasing has become far more convenient and popular than it has ever been, and counterfeit brands have taken note of this. As a result, we may claim that counterfeit products are on the rise in 2021. Nobody wants to spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars on something that isn’t even genuine. Even worse than poor quality and counterfeit labels is the harm they can cause due to their poisonous contents. Because of these factors, it’s always a good idea to be aware of some of the most basic guidelines in order to avoid purchasing counterfeit goods.

in 2021 the total percentage of counterfeit and pirated products was as much as 3.3% of total world trade.

The Harm of Counterfeits on Brands for Customers

1# Customers losses 

Counterfeit products are offered in a variety of places, including walk-in shops and online websites. The problem is that, while a person can thoroughly inspect a product in a physical store, this cannot be done on an online website because pictures can be edited or even copied from the official online store. As a result, counterfeiters prefer to sell their products online rather than in physical stores.

Because of the zero-tolerance policy, counterfeiters find it difficult to sell fake products in regular stores because the store and the owner risk being fined or even imprisoned for copyright infringement. As a result, counterfeit products are mostly sold on the black market, where regulations are non-existent.

Selling online is significantly easier because all counterfeiters need to do is create a professional-looking website and entice buyers. Although copyright infringement is a significant concern in this situation, it is a truth that thieves are still able to make it work. As a result, brands lose their sales and customers.

You might have heard about the RealReal scandal when the counterfeit Christian Dior got sold for over $3,600

2# Low-quality Items

Some individuals believe that the main disadvantage of buying counterfeit goods is that the design is poor, but this is incorrect. You may believe that spending less saves you money, but the materials used to produce counterfeit products are of such poor quality that they can affect your health and that of your loved ones, particularly when it comes to make-up and toys. It’s better to spend a bit more money now for your safety than to regret it later. Fake goods also have a shorter lifespan than genuine items, making the purchase illogical.

3# Effect brand’s authority

Counterfeit brands tarnish the reputations of our favorite brands, which is why they work so hard to control the market and discover the offenders. They are not only sentenced to prison but are also fined millions of dollars. For example, in 2017, Louis Vuitton won a $2.3 million lawsuit against Chinese retailers selling counterfeit items on the internet. Counterfeiting is a serious crime for which the perpetrators should be held accountable.

Methods of How to Buy Original Items?

Pay attention to the price

Let’s face it, we all love a good bargain, and it would be unnatural if we didn’t; why would we pay more for something that can be had for less? When it comes to branded things, though, you should be cautious. There’s nothing wrong with buying on a budget, but if the price appears to be too good to be true, the item is almost certainly fake. We recommend that you compare the retail price to the advertised price first; if there is a significant discrepancy, you should be cautious.

Being extra careful with payment methods is also a very good idea. Sometimes, counterfeit brands would request a direct money transfer, such as a bank transfer, rather than accepting payments via credit or debit card, as well as PayPal, which is a common method of safely paying for things online. If an online store requests a direct money transfer, this is a significant red flag and you should look for the product on another website. Think twice before putting your personal information on such websites.

Investigate brand package

If you receive an item in suspicious packaging that is constructed of low-quality materials and is not labeled, you should be on the lookout for further differences. Brands frequently place their logos and letters on the outside as well, and if your package is plain or contains obvious defects such as spelling issues or defective logos, the item is not real.

 Look at the original codes

If you google search for the serial number of the branded item, the original model should pop up. If the code does not work, then your item is most likely fake.

 Use Online Authentication Services

Buying from official businesses can seem unattainable at times, and it’s all too tempting to find a good price online and pass it up because you’re worried about its validity. When you know who to approach for expert guidance, you don’t have to say no to any of those offers. LegitGrails offers professional authentication services with the fastest turn-around time, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, where they’ll examine your item carefully, determine whether it’s genuine or not, and provide you with an authenticity certificate. Doesn’t it seem like a big deal? If you still want to complete it yourself, you can use their authentication guidelines to walk you through the legit check process step by step.

 

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