Shopping Online

Shopping Online seems to be the new way to go. From high end low everyday essenitals from food to car parts. You can have avery and anything that you need arrive a your door step as early as 24 hours. This convience is unsumountable for those who are immobile or live in rural communities. Also with the offer of additional online savings to intice customers who can refuse? Online shopping does have its pro's and con's. there are many counterfit sites that do everything from steal your information for identity thefy purposes to selling you items that you didnt order weather they be a lesser quality or counterfit. And not being able to reach a customer service rep the site owner etc it can leave a lot of consumers frustrated disappointed and violated. However there are some tips that will make you feel more secure about purchasing online.

Spotting fakes online
Although several manufacturers have become vigilant about fighting fraud, some resist identifying the markers of a fake version of their product for fear of tipping off the counterfeiters.

Check the manufacturers' websites to see if they offer a list of authorized sellers and details on how counterfeiters have tried to take their particular brand hostage.

Premium denim company True Religion goes as far as to list the names of online merchants who sell counterfeit versions of their jeans on its website.

Some product categories are particularly ripe for fakery. "Shoes and purses are every girl's friend, and the counterfeiter knows this," Smith says.

UGG boots, for one, are among some of the most knocked-off product around. The company features photo examples of counterfeit UGG boots on its website in an extensive "counterfeit education" section. Photos of the fakes can be seen here.

"We're upfront with assisting customers so that they're not duped," says Leah Evert-Burks, director of brand protection for Deckers Outdoor Corporation, UGG's parent company.

For example, UGG boots never have hang tags, are sold in biodegradable plastic bags within a box, and they'll never say "snow boots" on them as "UGG boots are not intended for the snow," says Evert-Burks.

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Consumers can type in the name of a suspect online seller on UGG's website and it will let them know if it's a counterfeit site.

What's more, shoppers who purchased counterfeit UGG boots with a MasterCard will be reimbursed.

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If something seems fishy, do a side-by-side comparison of a product from a site you might find suspect with one from the manufacturer's website.

Indeed, there are some telltale signs of counterfeit goods — a brand logo that looks askew, hardware details, such as zippers, that seem off, and packaging that doesn't appear to reflect the brand.

Levi's 501 button fly jeans are one of the company's most commonly knocked-off products, says Kelley Benander, a Levi's spokesperson. "If (consumers) see a zipper on a Levi's 501 jean, then it's likely a counterfeit," she says. Levi's site also includes information on counterfeit goods.

Identifying counterfeit websites
The biggest sign of a fraudulent site is one that's offering dramatic discounts, so be skeptical about price, Block says. "If you see a brand that's sold for $150 (being) sold for $20, chances are it's fake." (Be aware, though, that rogue sites have gotten savvier, and some are now selling at more modest discounts to beef up their credibility, Smith says.)
Check out the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) or "about us" part of a suspect website as some will use the term "replica," which simply means counterfeit, to describe their products, Smith said.
Beware of "cybersquatting," which describes using a brand name in a URL without permission from the brand. These sites "want to make a buck off the back of a brand," Smith say.If a site's URL contains a construction like this — the manufacturer's brand name, the word "discount" and then something like "handbag store" or "outlet store" that's a clue the website is selling fakes and might be cybersquatting. This is particularly common among online sellers of fake luxury handbags.And a site that uses a single brand name in its own name but purports to carry a number of different brands "is another giveaway," Smith says.
Be alert to "typo-squatting," sites with names that are a misspelled version of a brand. In general, if a website has spelling errors, "don't buy from it," Block says.And when there is a period missing between the "www" and a well-known brand name, that's a "technique (rogue sites) will also use sometimes," Smith says.
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This is the age of predators the onlince shopping phenomemnon has started people rent homes they dont own take deposits on cars they dont have and even sell you hand bags at great discounts I think we all should be a little more concious and ask ourselves is the convience worth it. i personally shop online less that 10 percent of the time, I like to see exactly what I am buying feel the quality and actually see my transaction from start to finish. A little traditional i suppose. I recommend www.netaporter.com an official site for high end goods and sales when they do have them are amazing. www.fashionphiles.com for the fashionistas on a budget that dont mind wearing secondhand this is a great consignment shop I have physically visited both locations and are definitely legit.