WATCH OUT FOR COUNTERFEIT ITEMS!

Imagine you are purchasing an item over the internet which cost you a fortune, only to realize that it was counterfeit. How would you feel about that? Wouldn’t you feel disappointed? Wouldn’t you lose your trust in online shopping? You see, this has been one of the ongoing issues which has been causing consumers to be in the state of trauma.

Some customers who initially planned to purchase genuine designer products reported that they received counterfeit products once receiving their packages and their efforts to contact the sellers remain pointless since the sellers have changed their contact numbers (The Star Online, 2016). Thus, before hitting the “buy” option, consumers are encouraged to carry out their own due diligence to avoid this kind of pitfall. If one encounters with a branded item but the price is too cheap, the chances that the seller may be listing fake products are rather high. Carousell, which is one of the popular digital marketplaces also advises their users to meet the seller at a particular for product inspection when purchasing such items. In order to safeguard and ensure the product meets the expectation of a customer, cash-on-delivery is said to be the best alternative (The Star Online, 2016). 

Basically, unauthorized seller would photograph the fake branded items in a set up premise, not only to make the stocks to appear attractive, but also deceiving potential buyers into thinking the items sold are authentic. On top of that, these sellers have the audacity to forge the certificates of authenticity. It is worth to mention that the certificate of authenticity does not have intrinsic commercial value and is never sold separately from the product. To prevent any suspicion among the buyers, they create the impression that the items are genuine by simply attaching the certificate together. In the case of customers who were fallen victims to this dispute, they are welcome to recognize sellers who advertise fake products on the internet by reaching KPDNKK toll-free line 1800-88-6800 in order to prevent other online shoppers from being the next target. 

It is not always the case of product originality, but there are other important issues namely the ability to differentiate genuine products from the fake ones. This issue may result in continuity in quality, risk reduction and protection of brand and intellectual property. Because of the almost identical packaging to the original ones, consumers are easily tricked into buying counterfeit products. This is extremely dangerous when it comes to products related to health product where consumers’ wellbeing may be jeopardized and they may be exposed to illnesses. Despite the usage of chemically hazardous ingredients in the products for advanced results, the sellers could not careless about the customers and would not take the blame as they are constantly making their way to generate even more profits from the business. 

Apart from seizing the counterfeit products, businesses who owned the brand of the products should immediately take legal action towards the sellers so that consumers can steer away from illegal businesses piracy can be put to an end. Furthermore, the authority should regularly conduct investigations at manufacturing premises as well as questioning the suppliers involved. The act of producing and selling counterfeit items is considered as a serious offense. In order to maintain the integrity of digital marketplaces, the goods are supposed to be destroyed under the order of the court, according to the Supply Control Act 1961, the Copyright Act 1987, the Consumer Protection Act 1999, the Price Control and Anti-Profiteering Act 2011 and the Trade Descriptions Act 2011.