Onbuy.com says don’t get fooled by fakes this Christmas

Counterfeit goods at Christmas are becoming an increasing problem for gift-shoppers and Onbuy has conducted a survey among 1,837 members of the public and identified that electronics and toys are the most likely product categories to be non-legit. Furthermore, a claimed 7 in 10 Americans have received fake products in the past.

Electronics and toys were most likely to be countefeited, according to 74% of respondents, followed by shoes (69%), clothes (63%), bags and accessories (60%) and finally cosmetics/perfumes (41%). Respondents were also asked how they first realized a purchase was a fake with 29% saying that incorrect or inconsistent branding on the delivered item was the biggest indicator. Other (possibly obvious) indicators of counterfeit products were faulty, low quality or dangerous products arriving, a lack of communication with a seller, and missing accessories or parts.

To avoid getting scammed, most Americans would retrospectively consider seller reviews before buying next time (69%), cross-checking products with those from a brand’s official website (62%), checking Ts and Cs to ensure a return if needed (54%), and checking a website’s security (51%). A majority of US shoppers are unaware that fakes they receive are likely to be dangerous. When asked if they knew fakes aren’t safety tested as rigorously as genuine products, 71% said no (29% yes).

To avoid complications while gift giving this Christmas, founder and managing director of OnBuy.com, Cas Paton has provided the following tips:

1. Always be suspicious – if something looks too good to be true, it probably is. Triple check any particularly impressive deals or prices; they may be impressive for a reason.
2. Use company/brand keywords when searching – this will help to weed out fake sellers and push legitimate ones to the top.
3. Check reviews and seller info – We’ve seen a dramatic increase in fakes, but it can still help to consider reviews. View as many as you can to get the overall picture, and assess whether: the seller has a track-record of selling these items, if they have a US address, etc.
4. Cross-check where possible – what better way to validate a product or seller than comparing them with the official website?
5. Appraise products thoroughly on arrival – check for official addresses and CE marks, untampered seals and packaging, consistent branding, or anything that will indicate a product’s (in)authenticity. If anything doesn’t seem right, report and try to refund the item. Speaking of which…
6. Report fake sellers – Most online marketplaces allow you to report a seller you think may be fraudulent. Do your bit to combat the rising circulation of counterfeit goods.

Martin, a seasoned journalist and AV expert, has written for several notable print magazines. He’s served in key roles at Lucasfilm’s THX Division, NEC’s digital cinema division, and has even consulted for DreamWorks. Despite his illustrious career, Martin remains rooted in his passion for cinema and acting, with notable appearances in several Spielberg films, Doctor Who, and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. He currently resides in San Francisco.

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