How To Avoid Fake?
Unfortunately, nowadays there are thousands of fake products made every year, and even worse – they are mostly labeled as authentic, so as a result customers get defrauded and the reputation of numerous brands gets damaged. What can you do to prevent getting caught in a trap of counterfeiters? There are several general rules:
Check the seller – sometimes when you are scrolling through Google you might click on links that look pretty legit, getting on a page where you get to see the flawless product. The very first instinct is buying the item impulsively but this is exactly where you become a victim – never buy anything without researching the seller first. Check whether the seller truly is a third-party vendor, check feedback from other buyers, search for return policies and contact information. Most importantly, try their customer service and see if they respond adequately about the product.
Check the customer reviews – this is one of the most helpful steps, for example on Amazon people highly depend on the reviews as they find out whether the product is reliable or not. If the reviews for the same products are wildly different from each other, consider this as a sign of control and durability issues and then decide whether you want to buy an expensive item from such a brand.
Look out for discounts – It might sound weird at first but branded items rarely go on sale so if you happen to find a product online for much less than the actual price, this is a major red flag. Counterfeiters use price tags as appealing as they can to get more customers, so beware of that.
Know your product well – If you decide to buy a branded item we advise you to get familiar with the product and its features well. Search for logos and brand letterings on specific places, tags, and serial numbers. If you don’t find any of these details on your item, you most likely have a counterfeit product in your hands.
Check the packaging – brands take care of the packaging as much as the production of the item itself. If you receive a purchase in anonymous packaging this is a major red flag. Compare your packaging to the official pictures. If you happen to find differences in design or misspellings, then we’re sorry, but you’re holding a fake product.
These general rules might not be enough when it comes to a real-life situation and you might need professional help. Fortunately, we are happy to be familiar with the LegitGrails expert team that not only offers the best authentication services 24/7 but also writes guides for those with less knowledge in fashion, just so they can legit check their items at home by themselves. You should consider reaching out if you are going to buy a branded item and want to make sure you are paying for what you expect.
Check Website Policy
We advise you to check the website return policy before purchasing an item. If the online store doesn’t even have a legitimate return policy, then maybe you should consider not even purchasing anything from the mentioned website. Have some of the general return policies in your mind too: For example, almost none of the brands take underwear or swimwear as a return. Take into consideration that each store has its independent return policy that might not be like anybody else. Mostly, customers get 60 days to return the order that is packed in the original package, if it’s possible.
Ask Seller for a Refund
If you happen to purchase a counterfeit item marketed as authentic, ask for a refund as soon as possible. describe your problem as clearly as possible, attach photos if possible so they get visual evidence too, and apply for a refund. The seller has to contact you regarding this issue but if they seem to ignore your complaint, then you have to start a dispute.
Try to Pay with Credit Card
Fortunately, the bank can help in this situation too. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act of 1974, you have a protection that allows you to reverse the charge, to say it in other words, the bank will take money from the seller and put it back into your account. This process is called a chargeback, which is a super-serious process, so you should only consider requesting it if you have a serious dispute with a brand.
If Seller Cancels Your Refund Apply Who Can Help?
If the seller cancels your refund you can sue in small claims. Of course, it depends on how much refund you are trying to get but most of the time, suing in small claims might be the perfect option for you. You should know that every state has its own system when it comes to small claims, for example, while the limit in Arkansas is 5000 USD, it’s 10,000 USD in Alaska. We advise you to research policies in your state before suing.
