How do I know if an item is a counterfeit?
Alas, we live in an increasingly fake world. And no area is spared. If the authorities bend over backwards to try to eradicate scammers and fraudsters, it must be recognized that it is a long-term fight and counterfeiting still seems to have a bright future ahead of it. And we are unfortunately collateral damage in this matter. Of course, luxury brands are directly targeted and clearly suffer, but consumers are being fooled from morning to night. Who has never been deceived and deceived by these attractive sites that exhibit “sumptuous” products at unbeatable prices? We often see only fire: nowadays, counterfeit products are so well imitated that we blindly believe in their authenticity. And they are so widespread that we can resolutely no longer disentangle the true from the false. As they say, a wise man is worth two. Instead of rushing into your purchases, take your time and meticulously observe the items you like. Don’t get me wrong, there are some telltale clues that should put the chip in your ear. So ignore the tempting price and keep your eyes peeled!
Speaking of price, it is clear that the difference is often obvious between an authentic product and an imitation. So, already, the best thing to do is to go check the real price to get a little idea of the margin. If you see that the gap is exaggerated, do not be fooled and do not draw your wallet. No, it’s not the deal of the century, it’s a pure and hard scam!
Often, counterfeit items give very little official information about the manufacturer. Quite the opposite of the original brand. So, be conscientious and watch for all the information. Usually the contact details are incomplete: if the e-mail, the website, the full address or the phone number for an after-sales follow-up are missing, do not dive into the mouth of the wolf, it is most likely a counterfeit product!
Incorrect positioning of distinctive signs and logos
You don’t have to be an expert in the field to detect certain anomalies. Therefore, before rushing to buy your favorite, first check the location of the logo and some distinctive signs of the product. Are they placed correctly? Brand creators have a very strict and precise charter: the size of the logo, the font used, the location, the colors… Everything is well adjusted to the detail. While counterfeits, in general, neglect all these criteria. If you are a keen observer, these little subtleties should not escape you. The slightest printing error should jump out at you. In footwear, for example, at one time, smugglers did not hesitate to sell items signed “Adibas” or “Mike”. Oh sure, it’s not the same as Nike or Adidas! Even today, if you are very careful, you can find similar small differences. So, learn to dissect all the details, even the most insignificant!
It has become very difficult to differentiate an authentic Smartphone from a pale imitation “made in China”. As you well know, the Chinese are very strong in this area! So how can we not fall into the trap? In the case of a mobile phone, there is a much more meticulous control to do. For example, if you compare a real iPhone 7 to a fake, you’ll be amazed to find that the original has a darker screen at startup than the counterfeit. Yes, you really have to have an eye to spot these barely noticeable differences. Finally, it is best to seek the advice of an expert or go directly to an authorized retailer to make your purchases.
An infallible trick to verify the authenticity of clothes and bags? So pay particular attention to the seams, this is often where the problem lies. It is obvious that an original article has perfectly neat, straight and uniform seams. While those of counterfeit products are most often uneven and even unsightly. You can’t miss them!
Look carefully at the label
Of course, thanks to new technologies, it is easier to scan and reproduce the labels of luxury labels. Even so, some small revealing details can alert you to a potential imitation. As long as they are blurred, Discolored or neglected, this can be a clear sign of falsehood. Important tip: on clothes, watch for missing or unusual washing symbols.
Are you excited to have found a great pair of AirPods at a crazy price? We calm down, we relax and we make sure of its origin first. Look carefully at the case: if it is a counterfeit, the back button is much larger than the one on the original shell. And normally, the authentic case bears the original legend signed Apple. So check all these features. If something is wrong, you won’t get a good deal!
Last but not least: the packaging says a lot about the product you plan to buy. Tell yourself that creators usually put the package in the packaging to seduce their customers. And it is a whole budget that is invested, unlike counterfeit products that do not really pay attention to it. Sometimes it’s even the least of their worries! Therefore, if you notice that the packaging is discolored, with a worn appearance, with an unlikely fabric or even slightly damaged, no more doubt, it is a fake. Look no further!
General observation: perfumes are still at the top of the “most popular gifts.” So, obviously, this is a wonderful boon for scammers who go to great lengths to multiply tempting offers. And suffice to say that you are spoiled for choice on the web. You only have to surf the Net to come across a multitude of incredible offers and promotions. Yes, but be careful, do not fool yourself, most of them are extremely false! There’s nothing authentic about it, just cheap. Not only does the quality leave something to be desired, but even worse, these fragrances can cause skin irritation. So, be very careful and take into account the following signals.
Again, conditioning has a very important role to play. A real brand is strong to offer its customers a finished product without the slightest flaw. Therefore, if this container looks fishy, tell yourself that the content is worse! What should put the chip in your ear? A packaging film that smells strongly of plastic, a box folded crookedly, a dirty print, the absence of the famous green dot legally required … All these criteria indicate that this is a counterfeit perfume. Remember that a branded box is always irreproachable, otherwise it would not leave the factory.
Small technical detail: you should know that each perfume has an individual serial number. It must be printed on the bottle and on the packaging. That is, if you notice that it is simply stuck or that it is simply non-existent, you are certainly dealing with an imitation.
Observe the bottle carefully, it can easily reveal the deception. For example, the glass of a fake perfume is often much thinner than that of an original. So, it is very likely that you will detect slight dents or small cracks in the corners. Similarly, the lid of an imitation is often loose and wobbly. As for the spray button, it is not uncommon for it to be wobbly or very slippery. In short, you will understand, if the design and the general appearance of the bottle seems questionable to you, let go of the case. And this, even if the price is very tempting!
Many people fall down when they realize that their perfume is fake, while the juice looks like the real thing. Indeed, we often have this strange impression that the scents are not distinguishable. However, there is a nuance to take into account. Because of its high alcohol content, counterfeit perfume has a scent that fades after just a few minutes. Quite the opposite of a real perfume whose smell can last even all day. And for good reason, it is designed according to a well-defined olfactory pyramid (head, heart, base note): after application, the three different aromas unfold. However, as long as you have a sufficiently developed sense of smell, you will notice that imitation does not have such a sophisticated or subtle juice.
