We wrote recently how the name appeal of brand name women’s clothing can snag sales, and put you neatly into a luxury niche market, but then there comes the time to buy. Who do you go to? Who is trustworthy?
Recently, Ebay lost a lawsuit against the French fashion house of Hermes, and was found liable for the sale of counterfeit goods. With Tiffany & Co, and Louis Vuitton also up in arms about knockoffs, it’s a safe bet to assume that many other products available on the web are less than they appear. If fact, it’s estimated that a full 30% of all brand name goods sold online are, in fact, counterfeit.
While some may be tempted by the price to purchase items like these, beware. While most people won’t notice a difference, undoubtedly someone will, and your integrity as a retailer will be forever tarnished. Even if you unknowingly purchase counterfeit items, the responsibility will still lie with you. Why risk it, when a few small questions and a call to your wholesale distributor can provide all the assurance you need in order to verify the authenticity of your purchase.
Avoid mistakes like these by asking yourself a few simple questions. Is a clear photograph of the label available? Is that label consistent with other labels I’ve seen from that company? Are the same items available on the brand’s personal website?
If you still have no answers after asking these questions, just place a call. Any reputable company will be happy to speak with you in order to assure you that the items are genuine. In the end, if you work with people you trust, your chances of getting a great deal on brand name clothing are much higher.