Top Selling Counterfeit Products / Fakes
96A Sweeping Universal Problem
Selling counterfeit products has become common practice where people flock in person at flea markets, college campuses, salons, libraries, swap meets, and at "private homes parties" where the dealer shows you their products. Amongst the counterfeit products you may suspect would be handbags, clothes, watches, and colognes which have been amusingly renamed such as Essey Miyami instead of Issey Miyake. Scott Wolfson, a spokesman for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, said that it was rare for counterfeit products to be sold in well-known walk-in stores.
Vendors, of course, are still peddling counterfeit products on our city streets. When a reporter was sent to see what he could find in New York, he found himself in an old decrepit building with makeshift doors and walls where a bunch of women sat sewing clothes. In and around that area and on the nearby streets is where the reporter bought some of the fake merchandise that is pictured below.
Counterfeit Detectors
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Selling Counterfeit Products is Booming
The internet has allowed counterfeiters to find partners who can make, market and distribute counterfeit products to an ever broad audience. In January of 2008 the Department of Homeland Security said that 81 percent of all conterfeits in the U.S. came from mainland China.
It is very easy to fool people. Ninety-nine-point-nine percent do not know the difference between the original and a counterfeit product. The fake products in the long run do not wear as well and lack the technology that contributes to comfort. But if the maker is to blame, so is the buyer. One in five Americans knowingly bought a counterfeit product last year mostly because the fake products were easy to find and the price of the original product was seen as unaffordable.
In some instances, the counterfeit products are easily spotted. The printing may be blurred, the embroidery is of low quality and the labels are often missing. But to the casual consumer who has been misled by the marked down prices, the fake products look just fine.
According to consumer reports, China has been pressed by other countries to crack down on counterfeiting. China has a long way to go to deter its counterfeiters judging by the penalties it imposes. For instance local law-enforcement agencies can seize counterfeit products and levy fines. But the fines are so modest that a counterfeiter would not think to raise an eyebrow.
Gucci Handbag
The real Gucci tote is leather trimmed with a nice fit and finish. Quality assurance numbers and ID tags are legible. It came in a cloth sack inside an ornate box. The fake’s “leather” looks to be plastic glued and flimsily sewn onto hardware. The stitching is imperfect, there are loose threads, and you can’t make out “Italy” on the label. It has decorative piping that resembles a shoelace and it came without packaging.
MP3 Player
The fake 6GB player bears an uncanny resemblance to an Apple Nano. It is slightly thicker, its screen is not quite as bright, it doesn’t work with iTunes, and it has an On/Off button where the Nano’s Hold button is located. It also uses a generic operating system with a cartoonlike display. Its “click wheel” is a crude jog dial; its headphones are inferior in sound quality. But the fake has a voice recorder and an FM radio which no iPod has.
Jeans
Jeans are a favorite target of counterfeiters. Clues to the fake Baby Phat jeans can include stitching that lacks details, an atypical finish, and may be missing nameplates or leather accents. The hangtags could be flimsier with words that are printed and not embossed like the original jeans. Other jeans could have loose threads and may be missing logos.
Electrical Cord
John Drengenberg, consumer affairs manager at Underwriters Laboratories says of the 21 billion UL marks placed on products every year, very few are fakes. Most fake labels are on high-volume, low-cost items such as night-lights, extension cords, and power strips. The real strip bears a holographic label and the fake one has a printed “UL” label that the Chamber of Commerce identified as fake.
Sneakers
Ed Haddad, a vice president at New Balance said that this is one of the best counterfeits he has seen. There are more marks on the real sneaker that identifies it as New Balance which also includes embedded data decipherable only with a special reader. It has a vented insole and the bottom of the sneaker is more intricate. The “N” on the fake looks like it had been sewn on as an afterthought.
Diebetic Strip
Counterfeiters added a finger and changed its typeface and made “One Touch” two words. There were incorrect results in counterfeit kits in 2006 found by Lifescan and these results could possibly lead to serious complications. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration saw counterfeit-drug investigations rise to 54 at the end of September 2006.
Sunglasses
Counterfeits like these Oakleys may not provide the proper protection against ultraviolet rays and also may not be impact resistant which could expose the wearer to eye injuries.
Useful Links to Help Avoid Fake Brands
- Counterfeit Electronics - Shopping tips to avoid fake brands and replicas | Dealgiant.co.uk
With Christmas approaching fast shoppers need to be aware of the fake electronic products which are flooding the market. Sellers of these fakes are targeting shoppers who are looking for a bargain around this time of year, but you can still shop safe - FACT SHEET - Retailers and Counterfeit Pet Products
How to Pick a Purse - Tips on Fake Designer Handbags
Gucci Handbags
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Avoid Counterfeit Products
Tips From The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI)
~ WorldWide Counterfeiting of Electrical Products is Estimated to Range Anywhere Between $11 Billion to $20 Billion Annually!
~ North American Electrical Product Counterfeiting is Estimated to be in the $300 to $400 Million Range!
~ Counterfeit Electrical Products May Look Just Like Other Products We Buy!
~ Counterfeits Are Not Made to the Same High Standards!
~Do Not Offer The Protection From Fire and Shock That Certified Products Do!
~ Buyers Should Be Aware of Bargains That Seem Too Good To Be True!
~ Avoid No-Name Products and Purchase From Reputable Retailers!
MP3 Players
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New Balance Sneakers
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Power Strips
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Sunglasses
 | Amazon Price: $72.50 List Price: $90.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $62.30 List Price: $90.00 |
Diebetic Strips
 | Amazon Price: $30.25 List Price: $54.21 |
 | Amazon Price: $57.33 List Price: $121.41 |
The Seventh In a Series / Brought To You By:
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Where to Report Counterfeit Products
Counterfeit.com.au is asking for your help by reporting any person or business that you know or even suspect selling counterfeit products.
UPDATES (last update - July 18, 2011)
- EBay May Be Liable for Counterfeit Goods - WSJ.com
U.S.-based EBay and similar online marketplaces may be liable if their users sell counterfeit goods through their websites, Europe's highest court said, in a ruling on a case brought by cosmetics company L'Oreal. - Philippines eyes to destroy P10M counterfeit goods in 2011 | Inquirer Global Nation
The Philippines aims to destroy at least P10 billion worth of counterfeit goods this year as the country seeks to be removed from a US blacklist of na - Police Confiscate Counterfeit Goods from Beach Store - Hampton-North Hampton, NH Patch
- Let customs officials seize counterfeit goods, Ottawa told - The Globe and Mail
Canadian and U.S. Chambers of Commerce want better enforcement of intellectual property rights at border - Selling fake products online criminalized in amendment - The China Post
TAIPEI, Taiwan --The Legislative Yuan approved a bill yesterday that will outlaw the sale of counterfeit products online. - Police Raid Business for Sale of Counterfeit Goods
A business located near 27th Ave and McDowell is being raided Friday night on reports of counterfeit items for sale. , Phoenix Metro-Area News, Weather, Traffic and Sports - Fox 10 - KSAZ-TV - myfoxphoenix.com - L.A. and Long Beach ports and counterfeit goods: Los Angeles and Long Beach ports are on the front l
The busiest port complex in the U.S. accounts for about 40% of illegal goods, including fake electronics, toys, cigarettes and designer jeans and handbags. - 600 arrested in South America during counterfeit raids This Just In - CNN.com Blogs
Police across South America have arrested more than 600 people and confiscated goods worth more than $50 million as part of a six-month effort to crack down on trade in counterfeit products, the international police organization Interpol said Friday.
- UPDATE 1-UK discovers counterfeit Novo Nordisk insulin pens | Industries | Healthcare | Reuters
* Patients told not to use needles from counterfeit batch * Find is latest case of bogus medicines in supply chain (Adds details, background) LONDON, March 27 (Reuters) - Britain's medicines watchdog said
The Health Risk of Counterfeit Perfume
There are many counterfeit products that are harmless in themselves but consumers must be very careful with the health risks of fake perfume. They have not been tested for safety and many have caused skin burning and rashes as well as respiratory problems. According to an article I found from spectroscopynow (dot com) dated Nov. 1, 2008 (entitled - Smelling a rat) an objectionable ingredient regularly found is urine, added as a stabilizer which has given a whole new meaning to the words eau de toilette.
When fake is good - Watch This Video!
CommentsLoading...
Who cares i buy counterfeit items and so do millions of others or the counterfeit business would not be booming as well as it is. Most people know it is counterfeit by the price and many who buy counterfeit cant afford the real item anyway. People need to worry about other things instead.
I just recieved a NorthFace Jacket for half of what the sell for the company is Denimbasement there name brand clothes sold cheap well there all FAKE name brands warning people don't buy from them.
It's amazing. . . you can find fake anything these days.
?http://www.aimei.cn.com/qingmugua/index.html?????????(don't buy)
?http://www.aimei.tv/zhuanti/qingmugua/???????? (don't buy)
Don't buy from this website: http://www.aimei.cn.com/qingmugua/index.html
This company has two websites which i believe is not selling the real products. Be warned:
http://www.aimei.cn.com/qingmugua/
http://www.aimei.tv/zhuanti/qingmugua/
They are from the same company
I bought a breast enhancement product from this China website and the product is fake as i have bought the actual product directly from the actual shop before.
http://www.aimei.tv/zhuanti/qingmugua/
When I realised the product is fake, I asked for a refund as the website said that i can ask for a refund if i am not satisfied with the product and no questions asked. However, the after sale service was so lousy and i argued with the person as they even asked me to proof that their product is fake. They did not honor their guarantee. This website needs to be closed to prevent more victims from spending their hard earned money.
Don't buy from this website. http://www.aimei.tv/zhuanti/qingmugua/
i found out one shop in singapore located at novena named Sports elements in novena square 2 are selling lots off fake one but the owner say's its a real one and why cheap? it's because they are directly to the supplier.
Fake memory cards are abound on eBay. Unfortunately, even US or UK based sellers can sell counterfeit items. Feedback is not a guarantee against a rip-off. I've heard about fake hard drives as well!
Very good product, Thanks for sharing.
This hub and comments are an interesting study of human nature. :) And I learned some interesting things about our culture's stuff and such. Neat hub.
Thanks so much for sharing this info! There are so many fake products in the market nowadays. I especially see them at least 2-3 times per day and the weird thing is that they're still popular even if most people have the common sense to know that they are fake products.
Excellent informative hub. Thanks for taking time to share all of this.
We do need to be aware of what we're buying. In some instances it could be very dangerous to our health. Thanks for stopping by martycraigs and commenting.
Some of those products are extremely dangerous to be counterfeited...the electrical cords and diabetic strips. I knew about clothes, dvds, etc. but never thought about that.
Thanks for your insightful comments Aya Katz. I loved how you wrapped it up "just someone who was going for the snob appeal" haha, ain't that the truth, the jokes on them. Thanks for dropping by!
Dottie, good coverage on an interesting topic. I have never really understood the appeal of brand names in clothing and apparel, so I don't get that excited about conterfeit goods. At most, what is involved is infringement of trademark. If the buyer is happy with the product, great for them. If not, they'll be more careful next time.
It's like the issue of someone selling a counterfeit Leonardo DaVinci painting. It's not plagiarism, because he's pretending that Leonardo Davinci actually painted the thing -- he's not asking any credit for himself, even though he is the real painter. It's not copyright infringement, because, hey, DaVinci is long out of copyright -- and besides it's an original painting that DaVinci never painted. So who got hurt?
Just someone who was going for the snob appeal of owning a genuine Leonardo DaVinci. Someone not discerning enough to know the difference.
Good point ghomefitness. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Great hub, I see it all the time with fitness equipment. I wish people would use that energy to create and not try to copy and get away with stuff.
Thanks for the tip ian...
www.manoloblahnikonline.com sells fake everything beware!!
I agree vanteezy, it is crazy and I didn't know myself until I started researching the subject. That was a real eye opener. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Thats... Crazy. I knew that shoes could be counterfietied but didn't know that much stuff could have fake knock offs.
YO HO HO and a bottle of RUM!
You got it, my friend! But the real stuff, NOT the tinted water.
LMAO Shirley...you boozer you...save some for me too will ya!
You can mess with my Christmas lights, but not my wine! :)
Thanks Shirley and RGraf for stopping by. Your comments are always appreciated.
When I wrote this hub 5 weeks ago I signed up for the google email updates to alert me on counterfeit products on developing or current news stories. My inbox has been overpowered with these stories. I am deleting them as fast as they come in. The latest one of 4 that arrived in mailbox this morning is about fake liquor being rampart before holiday. The article tells how the market for imported wine and liquor is boiling in Vietnam. Right now it is very difficult to tell the difference between genuine and fake alcohol because the bottles are genuine but the alcohol is not and cannot tell the difference until after you taste it. Here is the link. (click on and scroll down a bit).
http://chao-vietnam.blogspot.com/2008/11/fake-liqu
Counterfeiting is a big business. Be very careful what you buy this time of year.
You have floored me. I knew about handbags, watches, and such. But electrical cords? I never! I guess they'll go for anything.
Thanks for the heads up.
Great hub, Dottie. Just tonight on the news, they were cautioning here about outdoor lights on store shelves that are counterfeit. They look exactly like the real ones but have no safety approval. I know that unless it was something obvious, I'd never know if a product was real or not. I just never go shopping, so I could get a bad product really easily.
Thanks for writing about this.
Thank you cgull, Yes there are many clowns, buffoons, and pranksters who can sometimes deceive even the devil.
Great Hub Dottie, it is too bad there are many clowns who make such products and deceive others.
Thank you glassvisage for your kind words and your visit.
You've gotten quite a few comments, so I couldn't read them all in the time I have, but I have to say this is a perfect Hub for the holidays and anytime, as usual, Dottie!
Thank you compu-smart, I appreciate your comments. You've opened my eyes to look at things I would have never questioned. Thank you.
Dottie, To follow up from our comments,
I was at the market and saw someone buy some really cheap drill bits! just in case you don't know, they are the this metal thingys you you to drill metal and holes in walls!, well, i looked at the drill bits and they looked and weighed very differently from what i am used to and i would not like to even think about what could happen if you breathed the dust,smoke from the drilling!!..This is just an example! This is my reason for buying legitimate goods and i know we all have different reasons from being poor to be able to afford the real Mc coy. Others obviously buy without knowing they are dodgy! as well as the reasons people not wanting to fun the black market etc etc.....
Re, US customs figures, I'm betting like all those kind of stats, they are really much much higher weather they know it or not!
DarleneMarie....thanks for coming by. I appreciate your comments.
Great information. You are right, in many cases it is hard to spot what is real and counterfeit...big money in those fakes...too much for them to stop making them.
2 Sally's Trove....I very much appreciate your input about your e-bay experience and how you handled wrongdoings on your auction site and with e-bay. Thank you.
Christoph thank you. I found the hardest part of this research was finding the top selling products....so much is not dated on the internet and it was hard to sort through the mess.
Thanks ALL for stopping by. Your thoughts and comments are very much appreciated.
2 Ripplemaker: it is a sad situation but is the reality of it. Many people cannot afford to pay the price and will buy the fake not weighing the threat to their own lives.
2 Bob Ewing: Thanks and I'm glad you found it useful.
2 Compu-smart: you bring up a good point as to the dangerous material being used in clothes and toys. Many toys are made using non-regulation materials. They could be using not just cheaper plastic but may be using lead paint, resulting in more than a broken toy but a dangerous one.
US Customs and Border Protection has said that at least 15 children die each year in the US from toy-related deaths, and at least 200,000 for toy-related injuries. It's important to purchase appropriate toys for a child's age group, and counterfeit toys pose a serious hazard because of the lack of safety testing done on them.
Dottie: Great research and a great informational hub! I had a lot of problems with counterfeit Tiffany items when I was active on eBay, and I did a lot of research to educate myself on telling the real stuff from the fake, so I know how much work went into this. Thanks!
This is a great Hub, Dottie1. Your research shows just how pervasive the counterfeit market is.
A while ago I sold two purses at auction on eBay, one Gucci and one Fendi, both of them the real things. During the auction, I was amazed at the amount of email I received about these two listings, almost all of it from brokers from China soliciting my business for the purpose of reselling their fakes. As Quicksand mentioned above, these sellers were looking for affiliates (dupes). I reported all of them to eBay, and within minutes their accounts were terminated (whatever eBay did from there, I don't know).
I posted a notice on my auctions stating that if I received another solicitation to sell counterfeit goods, I would report the emailer to eBay and file a complaint with the attorney general's office. The emails stopped immediately.
Whether brokers pass these items off as the real thing, or as an *exact replica*, they are engaging in illegal business, and if you purchase from them, you are contributing to the wrongdoing.
Thumbs up!
Dottie,
You highlight a very serious and big business subject!
Id rather go without a product than use anything fake purley because of the inferior and dangerous materials that are used to make them such as clothes and toys which are not tested and approved!
Knock offs are a big business, this is a most heloful hub, thanks.p
Hi Dottie, indeed there are a lot of fake things out there esp. all those you have listed. It's the meds and diabetic strips that worry me though. And I guess as long as people keep on patronizing this products, there will be more of them coming.
Now that's what I call a bogo bargain! :)
I especially love payless when they have their bogo sales. I got three really cute pairs of shoes for 27 dollars that day :).
Hi SweetiePie
I broke the strap on my last bag so off to Walmart to get a cheapie til I found another bag I loved. I fell in love with my cheapo so now I can go to payless and get myself a new pair of shoes. Love that store! Some of my most comfortable shoes I bought at Payless. I bet it would be a lot of fun for you to create your own bag because that is something that you truly love to do anyways...create! Thanks for stopping by for a nice chat!
~Dottie~
I do not believe in buying counterfeit looking Gucci handbags because I never understood why someone wanted to look like that had they real thing, but spent less. I must admit I am a cheapo gleapo and often just buy a purse at Target and do not care if it looks like a designer one. I am actually thinking about going to the crafting store to buy supplies to make my next purse because I like being able to decide what I put on it. Also, when it comes to shoes I like to go to Target and Payless, but this does not mean these are not cute and durable. I am not just much of a label person, but I do believe people should not be making counterfeit products. They should make their own lines inspired by their own ideas. If I wanted a bag that looked like Gucci I would buy the real thing. Thanks for the interesting and eye opening hub.
You are welcome pcjunkychick. It's a biggy! I appreciate your comments and visits.
Oh my! great Hub I had no idea fakes were that big! Thanks for the heads up
Hiya quicksand.....Now that's interesting "exact replicas" lol. I totally agree that the real threat is in the counterfeit pharmaceuticals, a big booming business going on in Canada/ Thanks for thoughts and I always enjoy your visits.
Hi Eddie...it's good to see you. You're soo lucky you don't have to shop. Thanks for the visit and for your kind words as always.
I came across a site online which was selling fake Rolex watches, referring to them as "Exact Replicas," and they even were on the lookout for affiliate resellers.
In certain parts of South East Asia, they openly sell imitation Ray Ban sunglasses, Levys jeans, perfumes labelled "Christion Dior," etc.
I am aware that China is one of the biggest offenders.
However, the real threat comes from fake medicines.
Dottie1,
Great hub. Amazing. I never realized that there is so much fake stuff out there. Of course I don't shop either. I'll have to get Barbie to come by here.
Keep up the good work. ~ eddie
Hi Jim....Like with everything there are the pros and cons. Thanks for stopping by. I always appreciate your thoughts and comments.
Hi BizzyMuse......There are no truer words than from a wise father. Thank you for coming by and for your kind words.
This is eye opening information - thank you so much for sharing! I've come across a few of these "deals" online, and have that momentary hope that maybe it is just a really, really good deal. And then I hear my dad in my head....if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Thank goodness for good dads and good hubs.
If someone is just looking for the name brand to show off then I think knock offs can be great. I know some people that go to parties where they can get fake expensive pocketbooks. I think it is wrong and I'm sure it is illegal to sell fakes as if they are the real thing. But if everyone is upfront about it I don't have an issue with it.
MightyMom....that is very true....this does not just happen in New York, this is a world wide problem and it is not a crime to buy fake products but selling them is a crime. It has been reported that counterfeit merchandise is estimated to cost legitimate businesses up to $250 billion in yearly sales.
AllShookUp....fake sunglasses can do very serious damage to ones eyes. Also we must be careful about the fake products we buy for our pets unintentionally. Frontline Top Spot Brand flea and tick products have been reported to have a fake. We need to shop with awareness for everything we buy. We can never be too safe! Thanks for your comments.
Patty...I found that one unbelievable....It is very important today to inspect labels and packaging. Missing or expired "use by" dates, broken or missing safety seals, misspellings, or unfamiliar or flimsy packaging for big-name brands should send up a warning flag! Thanks for stopping and commenting.
I see a lot of fake purses and sunglasses. The fake LV's seem to have a green tent to some of the fake purses. But fake health supplies is a whole new low all together. Putting someone's life at risk is more important than being embarrassed by having a fake purse. Great hub!
Great job, Dottie. You don't have to be on the streets of NYC to buy fake. In some products the only harm is to your pocketbook. But when it comes to counterfeit medical supplies -- that's downright scary. Thanks again for the expose!
Fake diabetic kits certainly sound dangerous for health needs!
NYLady...You won't even believe the fake stuff out there. I've been a sucker for punishment more than a few times. I'm done with it. I had to write this hub! Thanks for passing thru!
SpotCoolStuff....If I knew you wanted to do this hub I would have gladly given it to you. It was not as easy as I thought it would be. Thanks for the kind words!
Gosh, Dottie. I had no idea all this fake stuff was out there. I'm sure I'ver been scammed a few times in my life. The one that really surprised me was the fake iPod Nano. Who knew? Thanks for the valuable information and tips!
I've been toying with the idea of writing this EXACT hub . . . but I think you've done it better than I would. Great research, really well done!
charles 10 days ago
The thing is if people like Gucci can charge $1500 for a Handbag and Louis Vitton have shops full of $7000 Bags then they are the ones ripping people off...ok the quality is pretty good but the price is ridiculas and I'd sooner have a fake and get one back on the huge names for legally stealing money from people who think its cool to show they can afford these peoples wares...give some money to charity and go down to a local shop and get a bag, or get a chinese fake and help someone who isn't already rolling in cash rather than making the rich richer.