3 ways to spot COUNTERFEIT GOODS

Many of us have been buying more online recently, but how do you know what you’re getting is the genuine article? Read on for how to spot a fake…

Last Christmas, a whopping 68% of us mistakenly bought counterfeit products, according to online marketplace Onbuy. As well as being a waste of money, buying a counterfeit can also be dangerous. In a study last year, The British Toy & Hobby Association found just over ⅕ of the 200 toys it purchased from the largest online marketplaces had serious safety failures. Here’s how to spot a counterfeit product…

SEARCH FOR ERRORS

Websites selling counterfeit goods often don’t look professional. Phil Lewis, director general at The Anti-counterfeiting Group, says, ‘Look out for spelling mistakes and poor-quality images of the products.’

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Check the products against their descriptions on the manufacturer’s official website. Warning signs are:

 Not being able to find the identical product on the manufacturer’s official site.

 Differences in design.

 Different product descriptions (check the materials it’s made from and the dimensions).

 A significant difference in price.

WATCH OUT FOR ELECTRICALS

Charity Electrical Safety First found that 14 out of 15 electrical products it bought from three major online marketplaces failed to meet UK safety standards. ‘Missing materials or parts and non-uk plugs are giveaways that you don’t have a genuine, standard-compliant product,’ says the charity’s Lesley Rudd. ‘Try to stick to reputable high street retailers or their online outlets when buying electricals.’