knockoffs

10 Ways to Spot a Knockoff

Paul Michael — Tue, 01 May 2018 09:00:10 +0000

The counterfeit goods business is a big problem, so big that it's valued at $461 billion as of 2013. Knockoffs are everywhere, and can be found in almost every product line. It's not just watches and purses, but razor blades, laundry detergent, cosmetics, toys, medications, and even fish, wine, and milk. And counterfeiters are getting more sophisticated with their copies. So, how do you protect yourself? Here are 10 ways to avoid getting taken.

1. The price is too good to be true

You can argue that some brands are way overpriced (Kanye West really does sell a plain white T-shirt for $120). The price of any legitimate product you purchase goes way beyond the cost of materials. You're paying for fancy ad campaigns, design and research costs, quality materials, and many other factors. Knockoff brands don't have to incorporate any of that, so although they look almost identical, they can be priced at 75 percent less than the original, and that should be an immediate red flag. (See also: The High Cost of Cheap Clothes)

2. It's not available from the original retailers

Retail stores and trusted online sites go to great lengths to keep fakes out of the system. They also have the power to help authorities track down the suppliers of knockoffs. If you see incredible prices online for brands you know to be much more expensive, they will be on unfamiliar, sketchy-looking sites.

If someone is selling these items on the streets of your town or city, that's also a major warning sign. Not only will you be risking more than just the purchase of a fake brand, but you have no way to return the illegal purchase. Even eBay has had trouble with knockoffs, and will often have to remove sellers when they find out the items are counterfeit.

3. You find mistakes and typos

Knockoff products do not go through the rigorous quality controls that legal items must endure. It's extremely rare to find errors on legitimate products, and those that do have them are usually marked down and sold in outlets. If you see spelling errors, especially in logos, then it's a fake. If you see highly visible typos (not something buried in legal verbiage), then it's almost certainly fake. If you notice that the color combinations are way out of character for the brand, then it's most likely a knockoff.

4. The materials look and feel wrong

If you examine the product and it feels off, it's good to trust your gut. It could be way lighter than you expect it to be, or not as smooth and luxurious as you'd hoped. Knockoff brands cut corners, using man-made materials in place of leather or suede, steel instead of silver and gold, and cheap alternatives to quality supplies. If it just feels wrong when you handle it, you should walk away. (See also: 4 Ways to Spot and Avoid a Fake Sale)

5. The workmanship is way below par

From a distance, fakes can be difficult to spot. However, if you get up close, you should be able to see some of the poor quality workmanship. For example, on clothing and bags, you will come across inferior stitching, misaligned labels, overprinting, collar tags instead of tagless labels, and uneven embossing. Authentic products are well-made because a brand's reputation is everything. With knockoffs, it's just about profit margins.

6. The description goes overboard on "authenticity"

Real products don't usually have to point out that they're authentic. Fake products, on the other hand, are promoted with language that sounds desperate to convince you that they're the real deal. You'll see phrases like "100 percent authentic," "no cheap knockoffs," and "verified genuine." Any kind of description littered with these words is akin to a serial cheater telling you they are totally, completely, 100 percent trustworthy. Yeah, sure.

7. Smell and color can be major red flags

You may think, what's the harm? when buying a knockoff perfume, if it looks and smells the same. Well, keep in mind that shortcuts to make the product cheaper might include using ingredients like antifreeze and urine. Yes, pee has been used in the production of counterfeit perfume. Imagine what that could do to your skin.

The other biggest indicator, other than price and smell, is color. Genuine perfumes do not use a lot of dye in the formulation. Also, the bottle will be a little misshapen, or the glass could be cloudy.

8. The packaging is off

Sneakers, for example, can go for thousands of dollars, especially the limited editions. If you spy a pair that you really want, carefully inspect the box first. Look up genuine sneaker box packaging on your phone and look for shoe size placement, logos, and the color of the box. The fakes will be a little off, and the printing won't be as sharp. Look inside for the correct labels. Everything should match with the box. Look at the stitching. It will be perfect on a genuine sneaker.

Take a whiff, too. It should smell fresh and new, not like chemicals or "gluey."

9. Use magnets and your breath to check jewelry

When it comes to precious metals, your secret weapon here is a magnet. Gold and silver are not magnetic, so if the solid gold chain sticks to the magnet, it's either gold plated or simply gold colored metal.

With diamonds, breathe on them. A genuine diamond does not retain heat so it will not fog up. A fake one will go cloudy. Also, look for hallmarks on jewelry. Most counterfeiters cannot be bothered to stamp them.

10. Test out electronics before buying

Fake electronics can look identical to the real deal, but the internal components are miles away from the quality of the originals. First, turn it on (if you can). When you fire up a new tech gadget, it should work perfectly. You shouldn't have issues with flickering, loading, or anything else.

Look for misspellings, especially in the places most people don't look (the serial number panels, inside the battery compartment, and so on). Also, make sure the packaging and the item are on-brand. Apple is very clean, sleek, and simple. If your packaging is busy, it's not Apple. Most genuine electronics have a certification mark and a hologram — these are almost impossible to fake. And again, look at the price. An offer of $250 for a new iPhone? Yeah, that's clearly counterfeit.

Like this article? Pin it!

This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Discount Luxury: Save 50% or More on 5 Fabulous Substitutions

Kelly Medeiros — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 09:48:30 +0000

You don’t have to be rich or famous to try to put some luxury in your life. While it may be a stretch to own a private jet or a magnificent vacation home, there are still lots of little things you can do to still feel like a million bucks without spending that much. Here are some frugal ways to mimic some favorite luxuries. (See also: 8 Little Luxuries That Go a Long Way)

1. Trade Champagne for Cava

If you’re not popping bottles of Cristal on your yacht, you are still in luck. While I am not saying a bottle of good sparkling wine is the same as an $800 bottle of fancy champagne, it is certainly much more affordable, still delicious, and just as bubbly.

Try a nice cava, which is a Spanish sparkling wine that is extremely affordable. Cava was once known as "Spanish champagne" and is made using the same methods, but only sparkling wines made in the Champagne region of France can be called "champagne." Cava is an excellent option for parties and weddings if you want some good bubbly without a crazy price tag.

Likewise, you can always try things like wine spritzers or sangria for super affordable alternatives, which always seem to be crowd pleasers. Both of these options can be made with affordable table wines or any economical, good tasting varietal.

2. Use Furniture Store Design Consultants

Who wouldn’t love to have the services of a real interior decorator to make your home worthy of a magazine cover? Unfortunately, such services come with a hefty price tag.

If you don’t have a professional decorator friend, you can still score decorating services for free if you happen to be in the market for new furniture. Many furniture stores, like Ethan Allen and Pottery Barn, offer free in-house design consultants who can do everything from helping you choose the right piece to coordinating and decorating all aspects of your room.

Or go it alone, and find a picture in a magazine or online and try to reproduce the style on a discount. Visit the Crate & Barrel or Raymour & Flanigan design guides online, which can give you some inspiration There are also a plethora of decorating tips, room pictures, and ideas at sites like HGTV and Better Homes and Gardens that can help, too.

3. Buy Used Designer Clothing

Dressing in high-end designer labels doesn’t have to be reserved for the super rich. Online retailers like Tradesy, SNOBSWAP, Poshmark, and others resell gently used high-end designer clothing. This can make getting your hands on those coveted Louboutins a whole lot more affordable.

If you don’t like the thought of someone else once owning your designer duds, then you can always hunt down the most affordable options available at some of the high-end department stores, which now have outlet shops. Barney’s Warehouse and Sak’s Off 5th both offer some amazing deals on designer and boutique labels with huge savings. Gilt Groupe, which is a members only discount site that is easy to join, offers many sought-after designer brands on sale daily for up to 70% off.

4. Don't Get Your Spa Services at a Spa

Booking an afternoon at a spa for a massage and facial can certainly run a pretty penny, but that doesn’t mean it’s out of reach for those on a budget.

Massage schools are great places to get a discount massage. You can search the American Massage Therapy Association to find schools near you that need practice clients and will offer deeply discounted rates. Also try searching for deals on Groupon, which often has local discounts on massages and facials at day spas and salons in your area, which can save you big bucks for quality services without sacrificing on the spa atmosphere.

Another money saving idea is to turn your average manicure into a mini spa experience. Many nail salons offer mini massages for your feet, upper back, and neck for a small fee. You can have a pretty relaxing visit by tacking on these little extras without breaking the bank.

5. DIY Personalized Meal Service

If you are looking to eat gourmet, healthy meals on a daily basis, but don’t have the time or skill to prepare them, you might consider an in-home meal service. These services offer up a fixed number of calories in five or six meals and snacks per day, which magically show up on your doorstep each morning in a little cooler. When I was working non-stop before I was a mom, I indulged in this luxury, which, however wonderful, is not cheap. Not having to cook each day and maintaining my best weight justified the cost in my mind. But like how you can work out without a professional trainer, you don't need a professional meal service if you are willing to put in some effort and planning.

To mimic your own daily healthy eating menu, set aside a few hours on the weekend to cook some low-calorie dishes that you can freeze for lunches and dinners. Stock up on low-cal snacks and breakfast ideas and you can put together your own daily gourmet menu for the week without having to cook each day. Good nutrition sites will have great ideas for which foods work best and their calorie counts. Most meal services aim for 1,200-1,800 calories a day, depending on gender and weight goal. With the help of great free apps like MyFitnessPal, you can easily log and track your intake to take the guesswork out of what you are eating daily. I’m not saying it will be easy, but with some real discipline, it can be done.

What are your favorite frugal knockoffs of luxe products and services? Please share them in comments!

This article is from Kelly Medeiros of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: