A Closer Look Into The “Art” Of Faking It
July 6, 2011 § 2 Comments
It’s no secret that it is becoming incredibly difficult to spot a fake. With counterfeiters using real leather, impressive logos and similar stitching, you’re going to have to really know the product in order to know if it is authentic or not. Last week Elizabeth Holmes of the Wall Street Journal interviewed key players in the fight against counterfeit fashion and what they are doing to stop fakes. Tom Onda, Chief Intellectual Property Counsel at Levi Strauss & Co. was quoted saying, “Online sales of counterfeit goods make fighting back a much more complex task than it used to be… trying to monitor the Internet is a Herculean task.”
Makers of counterfeit goods are getting ever more sophisticated with the quality of their copies. Portero Accessories Director Elizabeth Bernstein spoke with the Wall Street Journal about how to spot fakes in a video online:
With so many websites selling counterfeits popping up on the internet daily, it is hard to keep track of them and shut them down. As a consumer, the best thing you can do is to educate yourself. Check out these great tips the Wall Street Journal gives on how to spot a “good fake:”
- Buy directly from the brand. A sure-fire way to buy an authentic product is to purchase a new item at the brand’s own boutique.
- Find an authorized retailer. If you cannot buy something from the brand directly, ask for a list of its approved sellers. Department store chains, such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, are reputable points of sale as well.
- Check the authenticity policy when buying second hand. If buying a used luxury item from a website or a consignment store, carefully read or ask for its sales policy. Make sure the seller guarantees its products’ authenticity.
- Be wary of discounts. Top luxury brands rarely offer deep price cuts on their merchandise. Be suspicious if a luxury item is marked more than 25% off the retail price.
- Scrutinize websites selling the product. Counterfeiters have gotten more sophisticated in selling goods online. Examine the website for its validity, including product images—and price points. Another clue: often times the Frequently Asked Questions area contains grammatical errors.
Don’t be duped! Go to www.fakesareneverinfashion.com for more information on how to spot a fake.
Elizabeth, you go girl!!
I love all of the tips WSJ gives, but it should also be noted that buying PRE-OWNED from a reputable site, like Portero Luxury, is a great way of getting designer goods at a really good value! I mean, they did use a Portero expert in this piece….