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How to Vet Suppliers to Avoid Buying and Reselling Fakes

March 21, 2024 Uncategorized

How to Vet Suppliers to Avoid Buying and Reselling Fakes

Selling counterfeit goods can get you in big trouble. As an online seller, it’s your responsibility to make sure the products you buy and resell are 100% authentic. But how do you know if a supplier is trustworthy? Here’s my advice on vetting suppliers to avoid accidentally buying and reselling fakes.

Do Your Research

Before reaching out to any new supplier, do some digging on them first. Search for the company name plus words like “review,” “complaint,” or “scam.” Look them up on the Better Business Bureau. Visit website review sites like TrustPilot. Read through forums and Facebook groups in your industry. If you see a lot of negative reviews mentioning counterfeits, that’s a big red flag.

Also look up the company on business data sites like Bloomberg or Hoovers. Do they seem well-established? How long have they been around? Be wary of any supplier that seems brand new or doesn’t have much of an online presence.

Ask For References

A reputable supplier should be happy to provide references from other clients. Reach out to those references and ask about their experience. Did they receive authentic products? Was the quality as expected? How quick was shipping and customer service response times? The references can give you insight into what it’s like working with that company.

Review Their Website Carefully

A professional and well-designed website is a good sign. Look for contact info, an About page, clear business address, etc. Fake suppliers often have sloppy sites filled with stolen product photos. Also look for signs they sell authentic brands. Do they use official logos and images? Do they mention being an “authorized reseller” or partner of any big brands?

Ask For Proof of Authenticity

Legit suppliers should provide documentation proving the products are real, like invoices from the brand manufacturer or distributor. Certificates of authenticity, lab testing reports, receipts, and customs declarations can also verify legitimacy.

Some extra proofs to ask for with common counterfeited items:

Christine Twomey
Christine Twomey
2024-03-21
Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.
Brendan huisman
Brendan huisman
2024-03-18
Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!
Guerline Menard
Guerline Menard
2024-03-18
Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️
Keisha Parris
Keisha Parris
2024-03-15
Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.
Taïko Beauty
Taïko Beauty
2024-03-15
I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!
Anthony Williams
Anthony Williams
2024-03-12
Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.
Loveth Okpedo
Loveth Okpedo
2024-03-12
Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience
Bee L
Bee L
2024-02-28
Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.
divesh patel
divesh patel
2024-02-24
I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.
  • Designer clothes/bags – Receipt from authorized retailer, serial number inside that can be looked up
  • Shoes – Receipt from authorized retailer, serial number inside that can be looked up
  • Cosmetics – Batch code that can be verified on brand website
  • Electronics – Serial number, IMEI, etc. that can be verified on brand website

Inspect Product Photos Closely

Suppliers should send you detailed photos of the actual products they will ship, not generic stock images. Look for blurry logos, misspellings, or other signs of being fake. Google image search the photos too – if they show up on shady sites, that’s not a good sign.

Ask About Their Supply Chain

How and where does the supplier get their inventory? Do they work directly with brands or buy from authorized distributors? Suppliers being vague about their sources could indicate they sell fakes. Reputable suppliers should be transparent.

Review Return and Refund Policies

If you do accidentally receive fakes, you need to be able to return them for a full refund. Make sure the supplier guarantees authenticity and has clear return policies allowing you to send back counterfeit goods for a refund.

Start Small

When first ordering from a new supplier, start with a small test order. This allows you to vet out the supplier with lower risk. Inspect products closely when they arrive. If everything looks good, you can start placing larger orders.

Trust Your Gut

If a supplier seems sketchy or “too good to be true,” it probably is. Even if you can’t find concrete evidence they sell fakes, trust your instincts. Dealing with dishonest suppliers is not worth the risks.

Know Your Rights and Liabilities

As a reseller, you can be held legally liable for selling counterfeit goods – even if you didn’t know! Get familiar with laws like the Lanham Act. Consult a lawyer about your liability and options if you do unknowingly receive fakes. It’s better to be informed.

Vetting suppliers thoroughly takes some extra work. But avoiding counterfeits protects your business’ reputation and keeps you on the right side of the law. Do your due diligence so you only stock authentic products.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

-Sarah

References:

Seller Beware: The Pitfalls to Avoid When Buying and Reselling Counterfeit Goods

A Guide to Avoiding Counterfeit Goods

Retailers Can Be Liable for Selling Counterfeit Goods Unknowingly

How Retailers Vet Suppliers to Avoid Counterfeits

Amazon’s Counterfeit Problem and How Sellers Can Avoid It

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