How to avoid buying fake headphones

It’s a minefield out there, with more knock-offs than you can shake a 3.5mm jack at. So how do you know the headphones you’re buying are the genuine article? Our guide can help.

Only buy from authorised dealers

Buying from authorised dealers not only ensures the product you get is genuine, it also means you receive a high level of pre- and postsales service. When you buy from an authorised dealer, whether at a shop or online, you can be sure you’re buying a genuine, factory-new product.

Authorised dealers will also have access to the latest product knowledge, so can better serve your needs. They can also offer a full warranty in case the headphones are faulty.

Buying safely from auction sites

While Amazon is an authorised online dealer of many headphone brands, a lot of third-party resellers who sell through Amazon are not. To make sure you’re buying from an authorised reseller, make sure you check where the product is being “shipped from and sold by”. This should be clearly stated on the product page. Many headphone sellers on ebay aren’t authorised resellers either. Buying from them also means you won’t get the warranty or the level of after-sales support that manufacturers provide.

If in doubt, ask

If you’re in any doubt about the retailer you’re considering buying from, check the manufacturer’s list of resellers online. Still uncertain? Contact the manufacturer directly before you buy. It’s well worth checking the serial number with the manufacturer to see if it’s genuine. Many are not.

Understand the risks

If you do buy from an unauthorised dealer, it’s important to know what you’re getting yourself into. The headphones could be faulty, fake or even stolen. And if they do develop a fault, you’ll have no warranty to fall back on.

Headphones sold by unauthorised dealers can come from a variety of sources. They could have been bought from a ‘grey’ secondary market (often somewhere outside Europe with no warranty cover). They may be damaged or defective stock (so-called ‘B’ grade stock).

Many unauthorised resellers sell via sites such as Amazon Marketplace and ebay, but it has also been known for some more established stores to obtain stock through these unauthorised channels. In some cases, unauthorised resellers have changed their name, website address and location to avoid dealing with customer problems. So if you have an issue, you’re on your own.