Unauthorized retailing can be
unreliable, unpredictable
and even unethical.
From Manhattan and London to Milan and Hong Kong, legitimate, authorized retailers are doing battle with unauthorized resellers of premium brand products. These unauthorized retailers can undermine the value of the brands. There are many good reasons NOT to do business with unauthorized retailers.
Common Myths About Buying From an Unauthorized Retailer
Myth #1: The only Difference between buying from an authorized retailer and unauthorized retailer is the warranty.
When you buy from an unauthorized retailer you have no way of knowing the history of the product you're receiving. The merchandise could have been shipped many times causing damage in transit. The product itself could have been altered after it left the factory. It could be counterfeit or even stolen. Confiscation by government entities before shipping is a common outcome in the purchase of counterfeit goods.
Myth #2: My credit card company must honor its purchase protection plan.
Credit card companies are not always legally bound to protect purchases. In instances where items are purchased from unauthorized retailers, some protections can be contested and the credit card company released from liability.
Myth #3: The retailer has an online storefront selling the products I'm interested in so they must be a legitimate business.
It is very difficult to identify a credible online retailer from their website. Many sophisticated criminals have set up well-designed and seemingly real online storefronts only to capture payment information and never deliver the product. It is important for consumers to know the true identity of any online storefront to whom they provide personal financial data.
Common Myths About Buying
Counterfeit Goods
Myth #1: Counterfeiting isn't a serious crime.
Counterfeiters are criminals and many have links with the drug trade, illegal weapons dealings and people trafficking. They also don't pay taxes, which means that the government loses this revenue, the burden of which often falls on the citizens of our country.
Counterfeiting has a profoundly negative societal impact. It hurts the children who spend their youth making handbags for pennies. It weakens national and international security by putting money into the hands of criminals. It even hurts your local economy, causing layoffs in manufacturing, shipping, and other industries.
Courtesy of My Authentics http://www.myauthentics.com
Myth #2: Counterfeiting won't hurt me.
Quite simply, counterfeiting can be downright dangerous to you too. The health and safety tests that keep us safe as consumers don't apply to counterfeiters. In making their knock-off products, they mix fake pills, add bacteria-infested water to copycat perfumes, assemble poorly grounded electronics that can spontaneously catch fire, and supply auto parts that malfunction or backfire.
Courtesy of My Authentics http://www.myauthentics.com
Myth #3: The quality of counterfeit goods is "okay."
Confusing price with value is an easy mistake to make. Fake goods are cheap because their quality is poor and they are often a danger to the people who buy them. Ultimately, they don't save you money. While authentic goods are usually more expensive, they are of higher quality (because of research and development), properly regulated, and are designed to last longer.
Courtesy of My Authentics http://www.myauthentics.com
How do you know if an online retailer follows ethical business practices?
Some unauthorized retailers deal in goods from black-market and illegitimate sources with known connections to child labor and terrorism. Admittedly, it is not always easy for a consumer to identify those retailers who deal in such goods from those who do not — particularly on the Internet.
Unauthorized retailers may be dealing in stolen or refurbished goods. In some states and countries it is illegal to posses an item that has been reported stolen and authorities could take legal action against the owner.
Authus — Offering Reliability and
Peace of Mind.
The Authus live seal clearly identifies legitimate, authorized retailers of premium goods. Consumers interested in acquiring these products should look for the Authus seal to help:
Reliably identify brand-approved, authorized retailers.
Confirm credit card companies' purchase protection plans will cover purchases.
Confirm all products ordered will be shipped as promised. Assure that the goods purchased are brand-authorized goods that have been manufactured or certified by the brand
Verify that coverage under a manufacturer or retailer warranty is legitimate. Many brands will only honor warranties for goods purchased through authorized retailers.
Provide information regarding warranties, refunds, returns and more needed to evaluate purchase risk with a guarantee that messages provided by the Authus seal are from trusted parties.
Provide the same peace of mind you get walking into a legitimate brick-and-mortar store whenever you shop online.
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