How can you tell if it s original or not?
A Yale University study showed that even three-year-old children will prefer an original item to an absolutely identical copy. Adults are even ready to take out loans in order to buy an unambiguously genuine product. Nevertheless, it is quite difficult to distinguish falsification from the original. In Russia, alcohol (40% is counterfeit), light industrial products (35%), perfumes and cosmetics (20%), and food (20%) are most often counterfeited. Branded items are a different story: they are shamelessly copied all over the world, just as medicines and cigarettes are counterfeited. It sounds scary, but if you take some simple precautions, you can protect yourself from being scammed. Meduza, together with the company ™DRY DRY, has compiled a list of tips on how to distinguish a real product from a fake.
Don’t chase discounts
For most Russians, the main criterion when choosing a product is its price. In pursuit of cheapness, remember: too big a discount is a good reason to think about the authenticity of the product. Even during sales, discounts are rarely more than 60–70% of the original price. However, in Russian outlets the discount can sometimes reach 85–90%. When planning a purchase, study the assortment in advance and get an idea of the price level, then you can easily calculate incredibly generous discounts.
Avoid suspicious stores
The easiest way to buy the original is to check the list of authorized stores on the brand’s website and go shopping at the specified addresses. In street stalls or subway passages, the chance of running into a fake is much higher than in large chains. You can always ask the latter for a certificate of conformity: it confirms that the outlet has the right to sell the brand’s products. Another option that is usually trusted is duty free. As a rule, there are no fakes there. Although occasionally stories of deception do occur. It is really possible to run into a counterfeit in duty-free, because this is not a chain, but a type of store, and in different countries they may contain goods of different quality. If it is duty free of a large chain, for example Dufree, the risk is minimal.
And do not buy from dubious sites.
The official online store is the most reliable option. Make sure that the site actually belongs to the retailer or brand: the address bar should contain the name – say, apple.com, and not a derivative of it – buyapple.com. Look at the domain zone: international companies rarely register local sites – for example, you won’t find apple.io or apple.ru. Finally, you shouldn’t be fooled by offers on social networks like “deliveries directly from the warehouse”, “I work at customs, I resell them at a low price.” This is almost certainly a hoax. Moreover, you can find lucrative offers in official online stores: they often have discounts on cards from friendly banks and their own promotions. For example, in the ™DRY DRY online store, Meduza readers receive a 10% discount using the promo code meduza1&DRY DRY.
Pay close attention to details when buying clothes and shoes
Little things often give away a fake: the item is sewn in a hurry, hence the drops of glue, uneven seams or lopsided labels. Don’t be lazy to go to the brand’s official website before purchasing and see where the logo is located on a uniquely original item, what size and color it is. Save the picture on your smartphone and check it in the store. Too much assortment, which online retailers are often guilty of, is also a reason to be wary. If you find a site that offers 15 models of sneakers from the same brand in 10 colors, you should open the official page of the brand and check their line. You will almost certainly not find most of the models there.
And pay attention to what the cosmetics look like
Compare products with the originals: for example, pay attention to whether the tip of the lipstick should be blunt or sharp; What kind of brush does the mascara have, and what kind of applicator does the nail polish have? Plus, the same rule applies as for clothing: you need to carefully consider the logo and design of the product. For example, for DRY DRY, the top of the package should be orange, and the logo itself should look like the picture and be gray-orange. It’s worth looking at carefully: the font on the logo should be the same as in the original: even italics are a sure sign of a fake. You can also check the barcode of the product: it should indicate the same country of origin as stated on the packaging (there are many sites where you can find out by entering the 13-digit code). Let’s say, for the original ™DRY DRY it is always Sweden.
Check equipment equipment
The easiest way to protect yourself when purchasing equipment is to buy from official retailers or on the official website. If this is not possible, be sure to check the package contents: for example, in the box with a smartphone, as a rule, there should be headphones, a charger and instructions. The gadget itself must correspond to the description on the official website. Smartphones and tablets must also have an IMEI number (International Mobile Equipment Identity), and the same one on the box and body of the device. In addition, the authenticity of equipment from some brands can be checked by the serial number: it must be found in the system settings and entered on the official website. The universal rule “check logos and design with the original” also works here.
If in doubt, ask for documents
A fake smartphone most likely won’t kill you, but with medicines the situation is more serious. If something confuses you – for example, there are errors and typos in the instructions, or the packaging looks like it has already been opened – ask the pharmacy employee for a certificate of product conformity. This right is given to you by government decree, paragraph 12. The certificate must indicate the country of origin, company and form of release of the drug: for example, white tablets or pink capsules. If there is no certificate at all, you need to run away from the pharmacy. If there is one, carefully check all the data with the parameters of the drug that you are offered to buy. By the way, if instead of a well-known medicine you are offered a cheap analogue, this does not mean that they necessarily want to deceive you. Perhaps this is a generic: a medicine with the same active ingredient, but from a different manufacturer. Before purchasing it, it is better to discuss a replacement with a doctor you trust.
Check the excise tax on alcohol
Alcohol poisoning is not such a marginal situation as is commonly believed: you can encounter it even if you prefer expensive alcohol. The basic rule when purchasing is that the excise stamp must be glued evenly and not look as if someone had recently tried to pick it out. You also need to check whether the organization that supplied it has the right to sell alcohol: for this there is a special website and the Anti-Counterfeiting application. If it is an expensive alcohol (whisky, cognac), Google what the bottle should look like: metal or plastic cap, is there any embossing, holograms, stickers.
Fascia Massage:
If you do not want to be deceived, be extremely careful. Before going to an offline store, look at the official website to see where and what logos the product has, what the packaging looks like, what models are available in what colors, what the average price level is. Take a screenshot and compare on the spot. Don’t be fooled by incredibly generous discounts. Check the certificate of conformity for medicines and perfumes, the excise tax for alcohol, and the serial number for gadgets.
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Original clothing from famous brands is always attractive for its quality and design. But as their popularity increases, counterfeits are becoming more common, and consumers need to be careful when purchasing. How to distinguish the original from the non-original (fake)? Let’s look at a few key points.
Main criteria
Materials and work. Original products are often made from high quality materials with excellent finishing. Counterfeits usually use cheap alternatives, and this can be noticed by touch and eye.
Seams and details. In originals, the seams and stitches are usually neat and even, while fake clothes may have uneven and rough seams.
Logo and labels. How to find out whether it is original or not is not difficult, just check the inscriptions. Check the logo and internal labels. Incorrect fonts, misspellings and poor printing design may indicate a counterfeit.
Serial number. This is the surest way to distinguish a brand from a fake. Some brands use unique serial numbers to confirm authenticity. These numbers can be checked on the official website of the brand.
Another similar way to distinguish a fake from an original is to check barcode. If the product was produced in the Russian Federation, this can be done through a special resource or through the “Honest Sign” application.
Price. If the price seems too good to be true, it may be a sign of a counterfeit.
Packaging. The original and the fake differ in the quality of packaging. Original products often come in high-quality packaging with a logo and branding. Counterfeits may have poor quality or even missing packaging.
Place of purchase. Buying from authorized dealers or directly from the brand is the best way to ensure authenticity.
Expert review. How to distinguish between original and counterfeit products if you are still not sure? Contact a professional who specializes in the brand you are purchasing.
Remember that the quality of original products often justifies their price. When buying a fake, you risk purchasing a low-quality product that can quickly wear out or even cause harm to health due to the use of harmful materials. Be vigilant, look for signs of originality and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you doubt the authenticity of an item.
Additional selection conditions
Official website. How to identify a fake from the original without leaving home? Explore the brand’s official website. There you can find information about what the products should look like and compare it with what you are planning to purchase.
Smell and color. Low-quality materials may have an unpleasant chemical smell, while high-quality fabrics do not. In addition, the colors and shades of counterfeits may differ from the original products.
Warranty and return. Original brands usually offer a warranty on their products and a return option. The presence of such conditions may indicate the authenticity of the product.
Reviews. Check reviews from other buyers. They can provide valuable information about the quality of the product and the reliability of the seller.
Documentation. Branded items are often accompanied by documentation confirming their authenticity, such as quality certificates.
Compare with the famous original. If possible, compare the product with a known original. This can reveal subtle differences that are difficult to notice without direct comparison.
