How to Spot Fake Sunglasses
We all have a desire to flaunt the finest accessories such as designer glasses from top manufacturers like Cazal, Chanel, Ray Ban and Prada. Designer sunglasses have become extremely stylish and fashionable and have created a multi-billion dollar business in the world of fashion. Contrarily, the market for counterfeit apparel and luxury items such as branded sunglasses continues to thrive as well. It is therefore quite easy for unsuspecting consumers to be ripped off. Irrespective of the continued efforts by government and consumer protection agencies to track and stop the trade online and offline, the illegal business continues to boom. Therefore, it is our responsibility to stay alert and understand how to identify the red flags for fake designer sunglasses.
When shopping for your next pair of sunglasses, watch out for these to avoid being ripped off;
Craftsmanship
Top global designers such as Cazal Sunglasses take pride in their craft and quality and their products never come cheap. You can therefore identify counterfeited sunglasses by simply evaluating their quality. Check whether the lenses is made of sturdy and durable material or not. Furthermore, if you happen to be making your purchase in person as opposed to online, check how heavy it feels when you hold it.
Perform some other simple checks such as; verify whether the hinges and the arms are stable, gauge lens clarity by wearing the glasses for a few minutes, check the standard of the product and try to compare it with what you know about the manufacturer.
The Logo, Label, or Markings
It is quite easy to identify genuine luxury brands. The labelling and the logos may vary widely from model to model but there is a consistency in how and where they are displayed. Some of the areas to find a legit logo are on the arms, within the ear piece, in the lenses, or anywhere on the sunglasses that is consistent. They are mostly of the same size, have similar elements, font, color, and are of high quality, though there are exceptions with some.
Some of the common red flags for counterfeits include variation in spelling, for instance, Cazzal instead of Cazal. The logo may even be wrongly positioned. A genuine marking should be embossed or stamped on the inner side of the glasses’ arms. It must also have all or some features such as manufacturing location, frame size, model number, and color.
Packaging
You can often easily identify fake designer sunglasses by simply looking at how it has been packaged. The use of unmarked flimsy sheaths or low-quality sleeves is common with counterfeited sunglasses. A genuine product is easy to spot since it comes in well-constructed and clearly-marked packaging. The pack includes legitimate tags, legal certification, a durable casing, warranty, and clearly-written information cards. In addition to these, you may get some extra items such as velvet lined case, a cleaning cloth, and other chic accessories.
You may not get all these features with some designer sunglasses and that does not mean they are fake. The main guiding principle here is to watch out for anything that appears cheap, unmarked, or below standard.
Location of Manufacturer
The manufacturer’s location is very essential when ascertaining the authenticity of a product. Do your home work and get to understand where the brand you are considering purchasing is manufactured. Some brands are manufactured in China, but a replica pair of the same brand might in fact say they were made in Italy. Additionally, some brands will say that they are manufactured in China, but assembled in Italy or France. Do some research to find out not only where the original sunglasses are manufactured, but where they are assembled and verify that the sunglasses you are considering to purchase are match those of the authentic pairs.
Model Numbers
Designer sunglasses and eyeglasses come with consistent model numbers no matter where they are manufactured. You should be aware of some bogus numbers that are usually not listed on the website of the manufacturer. In case you suspect a model number is not genuine, do not hesitate. Check it out at the manufacturer’s site so as to verify its validity and authenticity.
Knowing the Seller
You can easily know whether the designer glasses are fakes or not by considering the seller. You will get genuine designer sunglasses from legitimate retailers at high-end departments. They are also sold in exclusive boutiques. If you get highly discounted designer sunglasses then chances are high that they are fakes. The old adage that if it’s “too good to be true, it probably is” rings true most of the time. While it is always possible to find good deals for discount designer sunglasses, the chances of finding an authentic pair at a fraction fo the price of authentic pairs is always slim.
Authentic designer sunglasses come at hefty prices and therefore be prepared to pay more. If you are purchasing online, buy from sellers who have been rated highly. You should also go through the feedback and reviews and ensure a money back guarantee is provided for every purchase.
Deceptive Language
It is really easy to identify a product that is illegitimate by looking at the marketing language. Some of the deceptive words that should raise a red flag at a glance include; cosmetic, like, inspired by, replica, similar and other catchy words. Fake designer sunglasses shatter easily and do not protect the eyes from UV rays. As for genuine sunglasses, you can normally see a UV protection sticker on the lenses that is easily removable.
The use of deceptive language on fake designer sunglasses is sometimes employed by sellers so as to remain immune to trademark violation. The unsuspecting buyer may not understand this trick and may end up losing their money.
Photo Comparison
Another simple technique to use when identifying legit designer sunglasses is by comparing photos. Try to compare the pictures at the manufacturer’s website with what you want to buy. The products should match perfectly and you can easily tell a fake one if something is out of place, for example the location of the logo or the shape of the lenses.
Conclusion
As government and consumer protection agencies hone their techniques of capturing counterfeiters, the illegitimate sellers are employing sophisticated counterfeiting skills as well. It is therefore our responsibility as buyers to understand how to distinguish the genuine designer sunglasses from those that have been counterfeited. Apply the tips above and you will never be ripped off.