Even the best of us get duped.... Buyers and Sellers alike.
With the growth of the internet, fake merchandise has increased tenfold; especially fake designer goods. Fake no longer means poor quality.
Actually in some cases, the fakes look the EXACT same as their authentic counterparts.
Marketplaces such as Overstock and eBay have been cluttered with fakes for the last couple of years. They are taking further action to to put a stop to the peddling of this merchandise that has been floating around on their sites for years. More and more sellers are being suspended and given the "boot" from these as well as other sites. Some sellers have been removed unfairly, and some finally received what they deserved.
If you are serious about your internet dealings, there are 10 rules you should always apply before purchasing designer merchandise online. These rules are extremely simple and easy to remember. They can save your business as well as save you from the heartache of a cheesy fake.
IDENTIFY FAKE DESIGNER BAGS
1. USE COMMON SENSE!!! If it is too good to be true, then it normally is. For example LV items are NEVER offered at wholesale prices! Unless the LV bag is secondhand, gently used, or someone's dective bag, you should beware. If some one is selling a BRAND NEW LV at a super low price, chances are it is fake. There are exceptions, but as a rule LV does not resell surplus bags.
2. If you are a seller, KNOW YOUR BRANDS!!! Research it before you sell it. No one wants to hear the excuse, " I did not know". Researching your items, will save you alot of problems. For example, Chanel sunglasses are extremely difficult to purchase in the excess market. Normally, 90% of these sunglasses are fakes. Brands such a Gucci, Dior, Armani, Versace, etc, are alot easier to find in the excess market (this does not mean that these other brands have not been counterfeited).
3. QUALITY CONTROL!!! Sometimes, there are just blatantly, cheap knockoffs that can be spotted a mile away. On the contrary, there are some knockoffs that look so good that you will never be able to tell the difference. With that known, learn what to look for. The best thing to do if you are not completely comfortable, is to simply purchase one from the store. Pay attention to the stitching, all logos, special markings etc. Count the stitching, pay attention to the logos and their font and positioning. This is important because these things should be the same. Measure the bag. Also as crazy as it may sound..... smell the bag. If you happen to purchase a bag from some one that has a return policy, take it to a Sales associate at the local department store (don't tell them where you got it, eBay and other competing sites is a turn off for sales associates) and ask them if it is authentic ( tell them it was a gift or you purchased it online).
4. The Price. Common Sense should tell you that you don't get something for nothing. The initial price of the merchandise should tell you alot about the item. For example, if you find a brand new bag that retails for $999 selling for $200, a big red flag should go up. Unless the item is outdated and is really used then... this item is fake. Be familiar with the normal resale price of your items.
5. Research the Seller. One rule of business is you should know or get to know who you are buying from. The best way is to visit their Internet site or view their sales history. Check their feedback. Google them. Ask them questions. If their merchandise is what they say it is, they should have nothing to hide.
6. Paperwork. I am referring to Receipts, Sanitized Invoices, etc. Many sellers of counterfeit merchandise are beginning to purchase these items to accompany their bags. Trust me there are places where these can be purchased. Some of them are from the actual stores! The real proof of authenticity should provide a chain of title. Meaning there is a trail of invoices from the original trademark owner or authorized reseller. These invoices should specify exactly what was purchased with the style number and brand name or trademark written fully on it.
7. U.S. Custom and Import Laws. It is completely within your rights to import authentic merchandise from non-US domiciled brands and re-sell them, within certain limitations. It is not permissible to import US domiciled brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren in the US with out the permission of the respective brands. Research these laws.
8. Purchase samples. Purchasing small lots will be helpful to you as a seller if you are trying out a new supplier. Do not let the pressure you into purchasing a large lot. You may be disappointed.
9. READ. Please make sure that you fully read the listing of what you are buying. So many listings and websites I have come across fail to mention the authenticity of their merchandise. Some of their merchandise looks so much like the authentic ones that you don't notice that they are counterfeit. Reading is very important. If the merchandise does not mention AUTHENTIC and says TOP QUALITY, it is fake. If it says AAA or 7 STAR or MIRROR QUALITY, there are no was around the fact it is a phony FAKE. Wording is extremely important.
10. Use credit cards as forms of payment. Credit cards are safer for buyers because they protect you. These payments are much better than wire transfers. Until you get to know your supplier or seller, you should always use a safe form of payment. There's always a paper trail with credit cards which enables you to keep records and file chargebacks if need be.
About Author
Diane Drew has successfully helped 1,000's of people avoid purchasing fakes, and getting ripped of online. In 2006, she took the reigns of an upstart Luxury Auction site dedicated to making it safe to purchase Authentic Designer Merchandise, Luxury Items, and Premium Electronics online without fearing what you would receive. http://www.reddmark.com
http://www.reddmark.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://www.1888articles.com/author-diane-drew-3044.html
With the growth of the internet, fake merchandise has increased tenfold; especially fake designer goods. Fake no longer means poor quality.
Actually in some cases, the fakes look the EXACT same as their authentic counterparts.
Marketplaces such as Overstock and eBay have been cluttered with fakes for the last couple of years. They are taking further action to to put a stop to the peddling of this merchandise that has been floating around on their sites for years. More and more sellers are being suspended and given the "boot" from these as well as other sites. Some sellers have been removed unfairly, and some finally received what they deserved.
If you are serious about your internet dealings, there are 10 rules you should always apply before purchasing designer merchandise online. These rules are extremely simple and easy to remember. They can save your business as well as save you from the heartache of a cheesy fake.
IDENTIFY FAKE DESIGNER BAGS
1. USE COMMON SENSE!!! If it is too good to be true, then it normally is. For example LV items are NEVER offered at wholesale prices! Unless the LV bag is secondhand, gently used, or someone's dective bag, you should beware. If some one is selling a BRAND NEW LV at a super low price, chances are it is fake. There are exceptions, but as a rule LV does not resell surplus bags.
2. If you are a seller, KNOW YOUR BRANDS!!! Research it before you sell it. No one wants to hear the excuse, " I did not know". Researching your items, will save you alot of problems. For example, Chanel sunglasses are extremely difficult to purchase in the excess market. Normally, 90% of these sunglasses are fakes. Brands such a Gucci, Dior, Armani, Versace, etc, are alot easier to find in the excess market (this does not mean that these other brands have not been counterfeited).
3. QUALITY CONTROL!!! Sometimes, there are just blatantly, cheap knockoffs that can be spotted a mile away. On the contrary, there are some knockoffs that look so good that you will never be able to tell the difference. With that known, learn what to look for. The best thing to do if you are not completely comfortable, is to simply purchase one from the store. Pay attention to the stitching, all logos, special markings etc. Count the stitching, pay attention to the logos and their font and positioning. This is important because these things should be the same. Measure the bag. Also as crazy as it may sound..... smell the bag. If you happen to purchase a bag from some one that has a return policy, take it to a Sales associate at the local department store (don't tell them where you got it, eBay and other competing sites is a turn off for sales associates) and ask them if it is authentic ( tell them it was a gift or you purchased it online).
4. The Price. Common Sense should tell you that you don't get something for nothing. The initial price of the merchandise should tell you alot about the item. For example, if you find a brand new bag that retails for $999 selling for $200, a big red flag should go up. Unless the item is outdated and is really used then... this item is fake. Be familiar with the normal resale price of your items.
5. Research the Seller. One rule of business is you should know or get to know who you are buying from. The best way is to visit their Internet site or view their sales history. Check their feedback. Google them. Ask them questions. If their merchandise is what they say it is, they should have nothing to hide.
6. Paperwork. I am referring to Receipts, Sanitized Invoices, etc. Many sellers of counterfeit merchandise are beginning to purchase these items to accompany their bags. Trust me there are places where these can be purchased. Some of them are from the actual stores! The real proof of authenticity should provide a chain of title. Meaning there is a trail of invoices from the original trademark owner or authorized reseller. These invoices should specify exactly what was purchased with the style number and brand name or trademark written fully on it.
7. U.S. Custom and Import Laws. It is completely within your rights to import authentic merchandise from non-US domiciled brands and re-sell them, within certain limitations. It is not permissible to import US domiciled brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren in the US with out the permission of the respective brands. Research these laws.
8. Purchase samples. Purchasing small lots will be helpful to you as a seller if you are trying out a new supplier. Do not let the pressure you into purchasing a large lot. You may be disappointed.
9. READ. Please make sure that you fully read the listing of what you are buying. So many listings and websites I have come across fail to mention the authenticity of their merchandise. Some of their merchandise looks so much like the authentic ones that you don't notice that they are counterfeit. Reading is very important. If the merchandise does not mention AUTHENTIC and says TOP QUALITY, it is fake. If it says AAA or 7 STAR or MIRROR QUALITY, there are no was around the fact it is a phony FAKE. Wording is extremely important.
10. Use credit cards as forms of payment. Credit cards are safer for buyers because they protect you. These payments are much better than wire transfers. Until you get to know your supplier or seller, you should always use a safe form of payment. There's always a paper trail with credit cards which enables you to keep records and file chargebacks if need be.
About Author
Diane Drew has successfully helped 1,000's of people avoid purchasing fakes, and getting ripped of online. In 2006, she took the reigns of an upstart Luxury Auction site dedicated to making it safe to purchase Authentic Designer Merchandise, Luxury Items, and Premium Electronics online without fearing what you would receive. http://www.reddmark.com
http://www.reddmark.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://www.1888articles.com/author-diane-drew-3044.html
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