Real or Fake: How to Avoid Buying Fake Accessories Online
Sometimes, treating yourself to a good-quality designer accessory comes with more issues than just spending some more money than usual. The dangers of being tricked into buying fake accessories are great these days, but if you are set on getting your hands on an original, there are some tips that can help you distinguish the fake from the real items.
Pay attention to the price
Even if you are in a search for some designer accessories, you will probably try to find the best price option available. While it is true that even designer items are sometimes on sale, they still cannot be really cheap. If you happen to find the item you desire that is extremely affordable, this should be your first clue that the probability of this accessory being a fake is significantly high. If you are not sure of average price that designer accessories of your interest go for, you can easily check this information online. This way you can be absolutely sure what price range to expect when shopping for the desired items.
Specific details
All designer brands make their goods with some specific details included. These details differentiate from brand to brand. For example, if you are buying a bag, pay attention to the label, trim, material, feel and look for imprints of designer’s brand name. If you wish to buy some designer sunglasses, make sure to check the codes as well as the logo. The same goes for makeup. The brand logos can often be mimicked really precisely, but there will always be some slight differences. Moreover, the quality of the product itself is probably going to be questionable if the fake item is in question. In order not to get fooled by really good fakes, you have to make sure that you possess the thorough knowledge of the brand you want to get so that even the smallest details can warn you of the possible counterfeit.
Check the packaging
When you’re looking for your desired designer accessory, packaging can be a great giveaway of whether the item is fake or real, even more so than any other aspects. This is especially true for sunglasses and perfumes. While most fakes focus on copying the product itself, not many put the equal amount of effort to copy the packaging. By asking to see the box the item would come in, you can definitely get the important insight on the originality of the item.
Research the store’s background
If you are determined to buy something from an online store, or simply have no other way of obtaining the accessory you want, check the credibility of the store. Make sure to get your goods from proven and certified online stores. For example, if you search for a good-quality pair of designer sunglasses, Sunglasses Warehouse offers a great choice of sunglasses online by many famous brands. Moreover, check the comment section on the store’s website. That way you can see for yourself if their previous customers are satisfied with the goods received. Another good sign of the store’s credibility, apart from numerous positive feedbacks, is the long amount of time they’ve been in this business. The store will also have a credible return policy.
Some people will be perfectly content with the copy of designer accessories when they accept the fact that they get what they pay for. Of course, this is only acceptable when the price is clearly cheap. If you want to avoid being tricked into paying the full price of a designer item only to get the fake one, make sure to spend enough time acquiring all the possible information you can get on the specific accessory as well as the store that sells it.
About the Author
Tracey Clayton is a full-time mom of three girls. She feels she knows a thing or two about raising happy, healthy and confident kids, and offers helpful advice in hers parenting articles. Her motto is: “Live the life you love, love the life you live.”
Kenia
June 25, 2016Great tips, I love online shopping and I do A LOT of research before shopping anywhere. I tried avoiding retail drama as best as possible lol
View CommentAnwar
June 25, 2016Seriously there soo many online scammer out there and trying to sell people fake items and labeling them as real, that is mess up but this guild will help my mother and sister with there online shopping thank you did good well
View CommentDavidTofie
June 25, 2016Since online shopping has become such a big thing, this is very important for buyers. Well needed advice. 🙂
View CommentThe Belly Rules The Mind
June 25, 2016With online purchases increasing every year this is such an important issue.
View CommentJessica Ayun
June 25, 2016I am not into accessories and I must admit that I am highly vulnerable to fake ones. I will note these tips and use as a guide whenever I plan to buy one, either for myself or for others as gift. 🙂
View CommentTheGracefulMist
June 25, 2016Thank you for the tips. I agree, if the price is too low for a designer brand item, be cautious because it could be a fake item. It`s always best to look for online reviews about the shop as well.
View CommentJoanna
June 25, 2016You have some very good tips here. I remember how much I paid attention when I bought my Naked makeup palette. You can find it all over ebay for half the price in the store. I ended up buying it from a proper online shop, paying the full price and I don’t regret my decision. The quality is so good and I am so happy with it. I would have never got any quality by buying it from ebay, it was surely fake there.
View Commentedoldera
June 24, 2016Thanks for some advice, online shopping is harming if you’re not be careful
View CommentLiz Mays
June 24, 2016This is an awesome guide. I definitely wouldn’t want to get ripped off, especially if it was a gift.
View CommentJolina
June 24, 2016This is a very real problem isn’t it? Especially now that a lot of people do their shopping mainly online. I personally only buy from reputable stores. And if something is too good to be true (e.g. too cheap!), I stay away.
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