10 Tips for Avoiding Counterfeits Online
Boston, MA - December 05, 2005
This year, analysts are expecting online holiday shopping to increase
25 percent over last year. And over Thanksgiving weekend alone, online
retail sales surged 29 percent. Bargain hunters will surf online
retailers and auction sites by the millions for holiday gifts. In fact,
Nielsen/NetRatings said eBay logged the most online shopping activity
on Black Friday.
While online shopping can help consumers save time and money
during the busy holiday season the threat of buying counterfeit
products could undermine the overall experience. GenuOne offers the
following tips for consumers to be sure the holiday gifts they buy
online are authentic:
10 Tips for Avoiding Counterfeits Online
- Beware of bargain prices - If the price is substantially lower than
the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), it's likely
counterfeit.
- Pay attention to the site's return policy. Don't buy it if you can't return it.
- Look for a warranty or guarantee, especially for luxury
brands. If the site won't guarantee or offer a warranty on the product,
it's probably fake.
- Watch out for strange colors or new styles. If the product
you're buying is in a color or style you've never seen in stores,
chances are it's counterfeit.
- Read the customer feedback section of any site before you buy from it and don't buy from sites that don't have one.
- Be sure the site has a formal "contact information" section. If there's no way to contact the seller, don't buy from them.
- Be sure the site has online buyer protection policies and procedures.
- Compare product pictures from the site to the brand owner's corporate website and look for inconsistencies.
- Never buy from a web site that doesn't offer a secure payment option such as Pay Pal.
- If the product is offered in large quantities at deep discounts, it's probably a fake.
Interviews & More Information
Tips to avoid
counterfeits provided by GenuOne, an organization that provides online
monitoring tools that identify counterfeits online. To discuss the
problem of counterfeit products with GenuOne and/or to interview a
consumer who has bought counterfeit products online, contact Maura
Landry at 617-681-1229.
About GenuOne
GenuOne
secures the products and supply chains of the world's leading brands
from counterfeiting, online piracy and gray market diversion. Its
solution driven approach combines web based software, security tags and
professional services into a unique solution to secure its clients'
supply chains. GenuOne tracks hundreds of millions of unique products
across 10 countries with a focus on major corporations in footwear and
apparel, luxury goods, pharmaceuticals and consumer electronics.
GenuOne is the only company that protects a company's assets across the
global supply chain and onto the Internet.
