With the advent of e-commerce, online shopping is part and parcel of consumers all over the world. It’s convenient, to say the least, and the sharp growth of online portals selling goods and products has also given rise to an increase in online counterfeiting, following the thumb rule that every coin has a flipside. Fake products are sold at a fraction of the price of genuine items, their original counterparts. End users consumers, quite often than not, consumers unknowingly end up purchasing these fake items out of the thought they are saving a lot and making a great deal. But in reality, they are only being deceived. And the most important thing is that they inadvertently are only harming their favourite legitimate brands and exposing themselves to serious risks.
However, there is good news! There are ways to learn how to spot these fake products before purchasing them. On this page, let us discuss the ways to do so.
Identifying the Signs of A Fake Product
Being aware of what to look for is one of the first stages in spotting fake goods. Even while the product could seem identical to the real thing, there are frequently minor clues that might help you identify a fake. Typical signs of counterfeit products include:
- Packaging: Genuine products usually come in high-quality packaging. They come in an elegant, well-made packaging. Poor-quality packaging with mismatched colours, wrong, poor replica of logos, or missing components like serial numbers or holographic stickers are all signs of counterfeit goods.
- The Cost: It's likely the fake products will come at prices that are too low and hence, good to be true. Products that come from counterfeit vendors come at costs that are far lower than their original counterparts.
- Fake Description and Wrong Features: Fake products come with vague descriptions and misleading product information and descriptions. They will have typos, and grammatical errors in description, descriptions that do not match the actual products.
1. Check for the Reputation of the Seller
The identical products are frequently offered by several online merchants on well-known websites like Amazon Flipkart, and the like. While some of these online selling giants might be genuine and reliable, others might not be so. That’s the reason, you need to check the credibility and reputation of the seller before you buy, to ensure you do not end up buying fake products.
- The Rating of the Seller: Pick up a seller with the best feedback and high ratings. A trustworthy vendor will have a large number of favourable reviews. Yes, a few of them may not be favourable, as no seller can satisfy every consumer, but most have to be positive reviews. It indicates the seller offers high-quality goods and top-notch customer support. Keep the ones with hardly any reviews or an abnormally high amount of 5-star ratings at bay.
- Opt for known, Verified Sellers: Programs for confirming reliable suppliers are available on both Flipkart and Amazon. For instance, Flipkart's Assured and Amazon's Choice badges signify that the seller complies with the stringent verification procedures of the respective online selling portals.
- Go Through the Reviews Cautiously: Reviews from customers are one of the finest ways to spot fake goods. A lot of reviews can be useful, but fake vendors frequently try to influence them. Look for reviews that address problems with performance, quality, or the genuineness of the product. Avoid merchants who have no negative ratings at all because these can be fake.
2. Make use of Services for Product Authentication
Fortunately, you will find several top-quality product authentication tools in the market. Using these tools is one of the best and the most genuine methods for confirming a product's legitimacy.
- Truviss is one such online verification tool that comes up with advanced anti-counterfeit solutions. Truviss uses the latest technology to offer product authentication, which enables consumers as well as businesses to authenticate products quickly and effortlessly. These tools assist brands and customers protect themselves from fraudulent products through verification of the product's legitimacy in real-time.
- Online Brand Protection: When it comes to dealing with high-end or luxury goods, renowned brands have established specific online brand protection strategies. These tactics include using product authentication systems to make sure that customers can quickly identify actual products and collaborating with e-commerce platforms to monitor and eliminate fake listings.
3. Utilising Third-Party Marketplaces with Caution
Although a large number of third-party merchants are reliable, others could use dishonest tactics and provide phoney or inferior products. People should ensure that they work with an authorised seller by carefully reviewing the seller's profile and product listing before making a purchase on these platforms. This is done through
- Direct seller interaction
- Brand authorisation
4. Having faith in instincts and exercising diligence
When in doubt, follow your gut. Don't be afraid to leave if something about the vendor or the product seems strange. Even while there are many opportunities to get amazing deals online, it's still advisable to use caution, particularly when buying online.
You can greatly lower your chance of buying fake goods by being watchful, taking the time to check merchants, using product authentication services, and being aware of warning signs.
5. Recognise the Return and Refund Guidelines
Make careful to review the platform's and the seller's return and refund policies before making a purchase. Reputable vendors of Flipkart and Amazon typically have extensive return policies for defective or fake goods.
6. Giving Importance on Client Awareness
One of the most effective strategies in the battle against online counterfeiting is raising consumer awareness. You may prevent being a victim of fraud as a consumer by being informed on the dangers of counterfeit goods and learning how to spot them. Sharing this information with others in your community is also crucial to encourage more individuals to exercise caution while making purchases online.
By giving consumers clear instructions on how to check their products, brands also contribute to raising consumer awareness. They can inform customers about the dangers of counterfeiting and teach them how to use authentication technologies to come up with anti-counterfeit solutions.
The frequency of counterfeit goods rises in tandem with the continued success of internet shopping. However, customers can better safeguard themselves from becoming victims of counterfeit goods by implementing the tactics described in this article. Researching sellers, using product authentication tools, and keeping an eye out for indications of phoney products are all crucial.
The Final Words
Although online trademark protection and anti-counterfeit technologies are being used by companies and platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart to protect consumers, consumer attention is crucial. Customers can make better judgments by using tools like Truviss to confirm the legitimacy of products.
You may safely traverse the world of online buying and have a genuine, safe purchasing experience if you have the right information, awareness, and investigation. Be alert and careful at all times when making purchases online.
