It is not always easy to identify fake items when we find ourselves purchasing second-hand items online. That’s why Björn Holzhauer, Senior Brand Expert at Vinted has decided to develop a series of useful tips to protect its community from superfakes and fight counterfeiting.
1. Do research
«Research on the authenticity characteristics of the brand and item of interest. Counterfeiters sometimes add extra elements to make fakes appear authentic. For example, brands such as Louis Vuitton, Fendi or Gucci do not issue authenticity cards. Therefore, a document of this type found in these articles is a strong indicator of counterfeiting.”
2. Be skeptical about accessories
«Nowadays you shouldn’t just rely on protective bags, packaging or receipts, because these can also be counterfeited in a very professional way. Other times, original packaging may contain a counterfeit item, so the item must always be checked first.”
3. Examine the images
«When buying second-hand luxury goods online, make sure that the adverts include detailed, high-quality images of the item itself, including logos, labels and other authentic features. Particular attention must be paid to internal details, which are often overlooked when the seller is aware that the item is counterfeit.”
4. Be careful with deals
«If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably isn’t. A significantly low price can be a sign of counterfeiting. To protect yourself from scams, you need to know the market, brands and models, and research the prices of similar items. Well aware that even ‘superfakes’ can cost thousands of euros.”
5. Check the odor
«Many counterfeit items, especially sneakers and bags, emit strong chemical odors, a clear sign of counterfeiting. Authentic products, especially leather ones, often retain a particular odor that reflects the quality of the material used. However, it is good to know that some counterfeiters apply perfumes with leather essences to mask the smell of synthetic materials. If a product has an extremely strong odor, it may be an attempt to disguise the use of low-quality or counterfeit materials.”
6. Buy from reliable sources
«Check the legitimacy of the online seller by examining their ratings and reviews. A seller with a good reputation can be an indicator of a reliable transaction. The safest choice is obviously to purchase through platforms that offer physical verification of the item, such as Vinted, which offers peace of mind and protection against counterfeit purchases.”
«It is our priority to establish a safe environment for our users: this is why the fight against counterfeiting is at the center of our objectives. We have implemented both automatic and manual measures to detect counterfeit items, supported by a dedicated internal team that works daily on the analysis and prevention of counterfeiting on Vinted” he added Cécile Wickmann, Senior Director Luxury at Vinted.
Source: Vanity Fair
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