Don't get caught out shopping online
The world of counterfeit goods has grown more sophisticated and our ability to weed out fakes has become strained over the years. The luxury industry spends millions in the war against counterfeits. According to ECCIA (European Cultural and Creative Industries Alliance) counterfeiting in Europe has grown by 5% in 2011, totalling losses of over 14 million euros. But it’s not just the luxury industry that loses out, so do the consumers.
Investing in an original luxury product can result in resale of an item in the future and to make some money back on your purchase. However, if a consumer has bought a counterfeit, they lose out twice – first by buying counterfeit and second by not being able to resale.
The value of a brand lies in its craftsmanship and quality, so there is no reason to seek anything but an original, if you are going to make any investment at all.
Many consumers wait all year to indulge in a luxury handbag or pair of shoes, either for one’s self or as a gift. And depending on budget there is nothing wrong with seeking out a good deal. The key is to know what is a 'deal' and what is a 'dud'.
Deal? Look at reputable sites - all of your well-known favourites - for straight discounts. Dud? Don't be tempted to shop sites you are unfamiliar with, especially those with 'discount' or 'cheap' in the URL. These are guaranteed to disappoint. And when buying from an auction site, make sure you ask the right questions of the seller or ask for as many images as possible.
Pre-owned is another way to go. Sites like VestiaireCollective.com, can have discounts of up to 50-70% of Recommended Retail Price. And you can have access to an interesting range which runs from vintage to in-season. The company has a team of experts that inspect all goods before they are sent onto buyers checking condition and authenticity. If an item doesn’t make the grade it does not get charged or sent on to the buyer.
Shannon Edwards, UK Managing Director of Vestiaire Collective, offers these tips to check for authenticity of an item:
Familiarise yourself with your favourite brands. Don't be shy to check out items at a brand's shop or concession in a department store. Inspect the item carefully and you'll have better instincts as to what may not be right with a product.
Look at the hardware. On items such as handbags, the zipper should move smoothly and the pull should be heavy in feel. All other hardware should be similarly heavy and not hollow. There shouldn't be any discolouring or signs of the metal flaking off.
Check the handles and look inside. The stitching should be in a straight line and the thread should be strong and not frayed or pulled. The leather should be smooth and match the bag in the way it does on the product you saw in the store. The same is true inside; if the fabric looks strange or exceedingly cheap, it's likely a fake.
Logo. If the logo on a handbag, shoe or garment is upside down, sideways, cutoff or somehow not right, again, you are likely looking at a fraudulent product.