A peek at the counterfeit world
Counterfeit products are everywhere and it’s not just a threat to large businesses. if you’re an individual who’s just looking to buy a new product online or offline, chances are you will come across counterfeits, in plenty! And if you are not the person who checks the price or authenticity codes then you probably have been scammed and you don’t even know that it’s happening. Around $600 billion worth of counterfeit goods is being sold around the world. So it doesn’t matter where you live or what kind of business you have—if there is an opportunity to make money, people are going to take advantage of it. The problem with counterfeit goods is that they aren’t just as good as the real thing. They can be downright dangerous to your health as well. While it might seem like purchasing legitimate products is expensive and time-consuming, in the long run, it will save a lot more than it costs because it prevents future expenses from mounting up due to fraudulent purchases. The best way to protect yourself from becoming a victim is by knowing which products are most likely to be fake—and how you can avoid being duped if something seems suspicious about the price or packaging of an item you want to buy. So let’s meet five of the most-counterfeited products in the world.
Watches
Watches are a very popular product in the counterfeit world, as they are easy to replicate and many people like to have them as accessories. So it’s no surprise that watches come first in place. Searches for 'fakes' in watches rounds at 15-30%. It’s easy to spot a fake watch, because the quality and features of the product will not be up to par, and the packaging and labelling will be inaccurate. The best method to determine if a watch is counterfeit or not is to look at the specific details of the product, how the brand name and logo are engraved on the product and the quality of the material used, it doesn’t matter if it's leather or a chain watch, the material will have a premium quality if it is priced high. Look how the dials work, the rotator at the side and see if they give a good feeling, also remember to check whether the mini-dials inside are working as they should be. You don’t have to learn rocket science to identify a fake watch, you just need the right gut feeling.
Sunglasses
It’s not enough to determine that the sunglasses you want to buy are fake by their price. You have to take a more in-depth look at their components to determine that the sunglasses you want to buy are counterfeit. The easiest way to do this is by closely observing the packaging and the product itself. Pay very close attention to the quality of the product. Feel the material, you will know if it is an original when you wear one. Look at the detailing, the engravings and how the brand name and logo are placed. If the packaging of the product does not give you the same feel or if they look very different from the genuine ones, then it’s a good indicator that the sunglasses are fake. You can also use online tools to help you identify the sunglasses you want to buy and counter-check with the one you have in hand.
Perfume
The perfume you bought because of its charming fragrance and the mind-blowing discount will get you to the hospital very soon. When it comes to counterfeit perfumes, it’s not just about the ingredients of the product. It’s about where the product was manufactured, who it was shipped to and other relevant details that can help you determine if a perfume is real or not. There are many online marketplaces where you can buy fake perfumes and the easiest way to tell if a perfume is fake is by looking at the price. If the brand names and the price does not match accordingly, then it's a definite fake. Using fake perfumescan cause skin rashes and other allergic reactions. A good rule of thumb is to only buy perfume on sites that you trust and have a good track record.
Mobile phone cases
If you think that the phone case you bought for 100 rs will hold the phone like a 500 rs one, then you are dead wrong. These can damage the side panel and back of your phone and they won’t bother protecting your phone in case it falls down. Phone cases are another commonly counterfeited product and the reason for this is the same as why watches and sunglasses are so popular—they’re easy to make and they look realistic. The best way to ensure that you don’t buy a fake cell phone case is by closely inspecting the product and the packaging before you buy it. If the product looks authentic and holds a good, tough and premium quality and the packaging is well made then it’s a good bet that the product is real. Your phone cover is your phone's best companion so choose wisely so you don’t have to replace your phone.
Socks and underwear
Socks and underwear are often counterfeited because they are available in many different brands and styles. These can be seen sold at a very cheap rate on the street side and in small textiles. Never go for them. They are made from low-quality materials that do not possibly hold the necessary hygienic norms. Skin rashes, inflammation and often skin cancer. Learning the material used to make the product, checking if the brand name logo used is authentic; the text, font and image are similar to the original ones, checking whether the stitching is uniform throughout the product and if it is made with care. Every branded clothing would have a note from the manufacturer stitched inside, which would advise you how to handle the product and the serial number and other details which makes the product original, check whether it is present.
Stay Away from Fakes!
Counterfeiting is an issue that businesses need to be aware of, but it’s also important for individuals to be careful and take steps to prevent falling victim to counterfeit products. If you want to be sure that you don’t buy a fake product, you can do a little research before you go shopping. Knowing what you want and finding the same, the original one is a different kind of happiness. Pay the extra money and buy the original product if you can, so that you won’t have to pay hefty hospital bills in the future.
