The Dangers Of Buying Fake Products Online
The Dangers Of Buying Fake Products Online
It’s a sad truth but in recent years there has been a growing number of online retailers misleading and misdirecting the public in order to sell counterfeit products. Companies that skimp on quality control, don’t enforce adequate safety procedures and make exaggerated claims don’t last long but often this comes at a price. It seems like every other day a news story is breaking that involves alarming reports of severe allergic reactions to counterfeit cosmetics and pharmaceuticals bought online. As consumers, we need to protect ourselves from such deceitful (and potentially life-threatening) business practices.
What Are You Really Buying?
The ability to distinguish between what’s real and fake in the online marketplace is becoming increasingly more difficult. When all you have to go on is a short product description, an image (that may or may not be entirely accurate) and customer reviews that are 50/50 either way only serve to compound the problem.
It’s okay to buy brands that you don’t know but it would be highly recommended to do your research first. There are plenty of ‘imitation’ and ‘comparable’ perfumes and fragrances on the market and without the ability to actually test them yourself; you’ll be wanting an assurance that what you see is what you’ll get.
Know What to Look For
Making an informed decision before buying over the internet will save you major headaches down the track if what you bought turns out to be a fake, or not as described. Avoid impulse buying and ask yourself a few simple questions before you commit to any online purchase.
• What are the retailer’s policies on refunds and returns? You’ll need to know what options you’ll have open to you in the event the product arrives in unsatisfactory conditions
• Do they offer a quality guarantee and display their contact details? This is often the most reliable way to check the legitimacy of a business at a glance
• Do you know your rights and responsibilities? Check the retailer’s Terms and Conditions carefully for any information regarding disclaimers, terms of use and any reservations
• Does the deal seem too good to be true? It’s important to understand why items are priced the way they are. Avoid ludicrously cheap prices and go with a brand you know and trust
One in Ten Online Shoppers Will Receive a Counterfeit Product
Why is this important? According to a recent study aiming to uncover the extent of online fraud found that one in ten online shoppers have received counterfeit goods and over a third of those surveyed have bought cheap make-up online.
Buying cheap cosmetics isn’t a crime and you are certainly entitled to spend your money however you see fit. Just know that if you are consciously making the decision to purchase a cheap perfume or fragrance over the internet, you may be subjecting yourself to a certain amount of risk.
Choosing who you buy from is just as important as choosing what you will buy. So the next time you’re doing some window shopping online, take some time to think about the dangers of buying fake products online and spend your money on genuine products from trusted retailers – like Aussie Fragrance Mall.
Our Women’s Perfume and Colognes, as well as our extensive range of Gift Sets, are guaranteed to be 100% genuine brands. We have no interest in selling cheap knock-offs and losing our customers – we’re way more interested in sourcing genuine brands and offering them at the lowest possible prices.