When shopping, knowing the real deal versus a knockoff can potentially save you lots of bucks and maybe a little bit of embarrassment. (Who wants to be called out on a fake purse, right?) In some situations, knowing the real deal can even keep you safe. Here’s how to watch out for imitators.
Designer Handbags
Look for a label with the country of origin inside the bag and the brand name label somewhere on the front. (Note: Prada bags aren’t made in Singapore.) Check for out-of-proportion or misaligned logos when you compare the front and back.
Online Medications
Did you know that about 10% of drugs sold in the U.S. are counterfeit? While some people look to Canada to buy low-cost medications, that doesn’t mean that’s where the drugs were made or packaged. Many come from the Bahamas or China and are repackaged in London; they may be expired, contaminated, or downright phony. Look for the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) seal, or use the VIPPS site vipps.nabp.net/verify.asp to verify that the pharmacy you’re buying from is legit.
Watches
Take a few seconds to check out the second hand. If someone is claiming to be selling an ultra-high-end watch and the second hand has a start-stop ticking movement, the watch likely isn’t authentic. Better watches have hands that move smoothly around the face. One exception: Quartz watches will have that ticking motion. Also, look at the lettering stamped into the metal; it should be crisp and precise.
Diamonds
Despite how often you hear it, you can’t tell if it’s a diamond by scratching it against glass. Diamonds do scratch glass but so do a lot of the fakes on the market. If the find is in your own jewelry box, your best bet is to have an appraisal, which costs between $35 and $75. If you like sifting through flea market goodies, you might be interested in a diamond tester—about $100. A diamond tester works by sending heat into the stone and measuring how fast the stone conducts the heat. (Each gemstone has its own rate for conducting heat.) Place the tip of the tester against the rock—a green light and continual tone mean it’s the real deal.
Police
First, check the flashing lights. If they’re not the right color for police cars in your area, that should cause you to be more cautious. You should also be more cautious if you (honestly) don’t think you did anything wrong. Turn on your flashers and interior lights and drive to a heavily trafficked area (like a gas station) before stopping. Always ask to see an officer’s credentials if he doesn’t show them or flashes them very quickly. And keep your doors locked and window open just a crack until you’re confident that he’s official. If you have concerns, tell the officer that you’d like to have another officer on the scene. If you’re really concerned, you can call 911 to confirm the officer’s identity.
I appreciated that information as well. Especially the part about the police. And I also thank you Beverly for the information you gave us about the police, too. It was all very helpful and I plan on using it and passing it on to my friends and relatives. Thank you!
Decadent (yet smart!) desserts
