Categories: Consumer goods, counterfeits, fakes, knock-offs

In lieu of all the hot deals scheduled for cyber Monday, shopping online renders the same perils of shopping in the real world of fakes, knock-offs and counterfeits. From electrical products, cigarettes, to shampoo, counterfeiting is a billion dollar industry. Depending on the product, bogus imposters are sometimes hazardous.

For instance, in August of 2006, some 600,000-extension cords were recalled by both the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC.gov) and Dollar Tree Stores. Manufactured in China, the extension cords were tagged with fake UL labels and posed a shock risk. Although, it's only one example of how counterfeit products can be dangerous, consumers pay dearly for these fake goods. To discern the phonies from genuine brand labels, The Consumer Journal recommends these commonsensical shopping tactics:

Quality
Knowing the quality of the actual brand or designer can alleviate the chance of being scammed. Be sure to research the product's features and appearance from the manufacturer's Web site. During traditional shopping, check stitching for evenness, workmanship and the underline durability of the article.


Inspect
Examine all details closely: logos, designs and labels. Quite often, counterfeits manufacture labels that look very similar to the authentic brand; however, upon close inspection, the label may vary slightly enough to go unnoticed.

Cost-compare
What is the average going rate of the product? If the cost seems like a price phenomenon, it most likely is. For instance, not many vendors would set the price of a designer Hermes purse (retail price $700) at $49.99 - unless of course it's a fake.

Reputation
Purchase products from reputable, e-tailers, manufacturers, and retailers.

Online Consumer Tip: Although the vast majority of online vendors are ethical, consumers should check for online reviews to determine how committed merchants are to providing customer satisfaction.

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