Sellers and Buyers- Protect yourself from Fakes.

Even the best of us get duped.... Buyers and Sellers alike.

With the growth of the internet, fake merchandise has increased tenfold; especially fake designer goods. Fake no longer means poor quality. Actually in some cases, the fakes look the EXACT same as their authentic counterparts.

Marketplaces such as Overstock and eBay have been cluttered with fakes for the last couple of years. They are taking further action to to put a stop to the peddling of this merchandise that has been floating around on their sites for years. More and more sellers are being suspended and given the "boot" from these as well as other sites. Some sellers have been removed unfairly, and some finally received what they deserved.

If you are serious about your internet dealings, there are 10 rules you should always apply before purchasing designer merchandise online. These rules are extremely simple and easy to remember. They can save your business as well as save you from the heartache of a cheesy fake.

IDENTIFY FAKE DESIGNER BAGS

1. USE COMMON SENSE!!! If it is too good to be true, then it normally is. For example LV items are NEVER offered at wholesale prices! Unless the LV bag is secondhand, gently used, or someone's dective bag, you should beware. If some one is selling a BRAND NEW LV at a super low price, chances are it is fake. There are exceptions, but as a rule LV does not resell surplus bags.

2. If you are a seller, KNOW YOUR BRANDS!!! Research it before you sell it. No one wants to hear the excuse, " I did not know". Researching your items, will save you alot of problems. For example, Chanel sunglasses are extremely difficult to purchase in the excess market. Normally, 90% of these sunglasses are fakes. Brands such a Gucci, Dior, Armani, Versace, etc, are alot easier to find in the excess market (this does not mean that these other brands have not been counterfeited).

3. QUALITY CONTROL!!! Sometimes, there are just blatantly, cheap knockoffs that can be spotted a mile away. On the contrary, there are some knockoffs that look so good that you will never be able to tell the difference. With that known, learn what to look for. The best thing to do if you are not completely comfortable, is to simply purchase one from the store. Pay attention to the stitiching, all logos, special markings etc. Count the stitching, pay attention to the logos and their font and positioning. This is important because these things should be the same. Measure the bag. Also as crazy as it may sound..... smell the bag. If you happen to purchase a bag from some one that has a return policy, take it to a Sales associate at the local department store (don't tell them where you got it, eBay and other competing sites is a turn off for sales associates) and ask them if it is authentic ( tell them it was a gift or you purchased it online).

4. The Price. Common Sense should tell you that you don't get something for nothing. The initial price of the merchandise should tell you alot about the item. For example, if you find a brand new bag that retails for $999 selling for $200, a big red flag should go up. Unless the item is outdated and is really used then... this item is fake. Be familiar with the normal resale price of your items.

5. Research the Seller. One rule of business is you should know or get to know who you are buying from. The best way is to visit their Internet site or view their sales history. Check their feedback. Google them. Ask them questions. If their merchandise is what they say it is, they should have nothing to hide.

6. Paperwork. I am referring to Receipts, Sanitized Invoices, etc. Many sellers of counterfeit merchandise are beginning to purchase these items to accompany their bags. Trust me there are places where these can be purchased. Some of them are from the actual stores! The real proof of authenticity should provide a chain of title. Meaning there is a trail of invoices from the original trademark owner or authorized reseller. These invoices should specify exactly what was purchased with the style number and brand name or trademark written fully on it.

7. U.S. Custom and Import Laws. It is completely within your rights to import authentic merchandise from non-US domiciled brands and re-sell them, within certain limitations. It is not permissible to import US domiciled brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren in the US with out the permission of the respective brands. Research these laws.

8. Purchase samples. Purchasing small lots will be helpful to you as a seller if you are trying out a new supplier. Do not let the pressure you into purchasing a large lot. You may be disappointed.


9. READ. Please make sure that you fully read the listing of what you are buying. So many listings and websites I have come across fail to mention the authenticity of their merchandise. Some of their merchandise looks so much like the authentic ones that you don't notice that they are counterfeit. Reading is very important. If the merchandise does not mention AUTHENTIC and says TOP QUALITY, it is fake. If it says AAA or 7 STAR or MIRROR QUALITY, there are no was around the fact it is a phony FAKE. Wording is extremely important.

10. Use credit cards as forms of payment. Credit cards are safer for buyers because they protect you. These payments are much better than wire transfers. Until you get to know your supplier or seller, you should always use a safe form of payment. There's always a paper trail with credit cards which enables you to keep records and file chargebacks if need be.

Two men BUSTED for selling fakes!!!

This is serious!!! For all of you selling fakes beware!!! I came across this as I was reading the Washington Post the other day. People are being persecuted for selling replica knockoffs.

Washington Post: Virginia Men Face U.S. Trial in Peddling of Phony purses.
A father and son team caught selling counterfeit handbags for almost a decade .....
(click on the link for the story).
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/29/AR2007012902083.html

The internet is putting a stronghold on criminals selling phony handbags and counterfeit merchandise.

Reddmark.com
www.reddmark.com

Been Kicked Off eBay?

30 of the last 80 new members joined Reddmark.com due to their eBay suspensions? What? You didn't know? eBay suspends millions of users each and everyday without any form of explanation. They're in a position to act as the judge, jury and executioner where your livelihood is concerned.

While I haven't experienced the "eBay boot" personally, I have had my own issues and quirks with the worlds largest marketplace. My experiences primarily involve the fake trade that takes place on the giant. I can't tell you how many times I unknowingly purchased super cheesy knock-offs.

Funny thing about it is, eBay lets PLENTY of the sellers that are pushing the fakes continue to do business on their site. Also, they have literally made BILLIONS of dollars allowing fake merchandise to STILL be sold on their site. Yet they get rid of thousands of honest sellers that simply ran into horrible buyers, or were victims of the unmerciful VERO police. One of Reddmark.com's latest registrants sent me an email about how she had been making over $7,000 per week on eBay when they kicked her off.

She said that she had quit her job and that eBay had become her life. So many people take this approach when dealing with this giant, and time after time they get to see how quickly they get dismissed. Reddmark is truly a community site dedicated to providing a safe and pleasant experience for buyers and sellers. We NEVER kick our users off, instead we believe in proactively handling situations that may arise instead of jeopardizing our sellers income.

Be one of the 50,000 sellers that we are allowing to register in 2007

Meet Lifesluxuries

One of the top sellers on Reddmark is Lifesluxuries. She has been an amazing seller and has added meaning to the words Authentic and Quality to Reddmark. She is not only a great Seller, she is a great supplier. Most of her items come with Sanitized invoices for proof of Authenticity.

She was a former Ebayer that was tired of the way Ebay was run. Lifesluxuries and her associates definately understand what customers want. I can honestly say that she is a trustworthy seller / supplier. The customer service she offers is impecable.

For all of you trying to purchase something for nothing, this is not your supplier. Normally when you try to purchase something for nothing, that is what you get NOTHING. That will get you absolutely nowhere. Or, you will get some cheesy, fake, imitation knock off. Through my ventures online, I have not been able to find many people I can trust. However, I know that this seller can be trusted.

She has a few specials listed on www.reddmark.com .

http://www.reddmark.com/Fendi-8br563-2007-Bag-and-Wallet,itemname,891,id,auctiondetails

http://www.reddmark.com/Gucci---Bardot124407-with-Wallet,itemname,890,id,auctiondetails


Lifesluxuries is a supplier of :
Armani
Balenciaga
Fendi
Gucci
Prada
Dior
Valentino
Versace
And much more.

She can be emailed directly if you are looking for a supplier of authentic merchandise.

Lifesluxuries@comcast.net

Buying luxury and premium designer items online

Buying luxury and premium designer items online is like shopping in the dark. It has truly become a very frightening experience. The internet has made it possible to find excellent deals on items that were previously too expensive and unattainable for the average consumer.

Due to the amazing success of eBay and Mom and Pop shops online, prices for premium and designer goods has dropped drastically. But like anything that sounds too good to be true, the same rule applies when it comes to finding “rock-bottom” deals online. Quite often, there is a very high price to pay for obtaining amazing deals, on otherwise out of reach merchandise.

Often times, the price reflects the quality……..in other words, it’s a FAKE!

EBay – The Worlds Largest Marketplace has had to take considerable steps to try and counter the ever growing fake trade market. In fact, some of the counterfeiters have become so good at creating copies that some of the original manufacturers have a hard time distinguishing fakes from real.

There are a few eBay sellers and “corporate police” that have decided to take this growing trend into their own hands. As of December 2006, eBay began a massive effort on targeting and ridding themselves of sellers that were pushing down the value of these premium brands. Another site, Reddmark.com, which was inspired to counteract this trend, also has taken great lengths to ensure that their customers are able to shop without fear of purchasing illegal merchandise.

While eliminating counterfeit merchandise is probably impossible to do, there are ways to protect yourself from becoming a victim. The first thing is obviously to avoid those “too good to be prices”. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck……it’s a duck. Don’t get sucked into believing that you can get something for nothing, because in the end, you WILL end up with a fake.


Diane Drew - CEO of all things fashion.

http://www.reddmark.com/

http://www.reddmark.blogspot.com/

Reddmark.com - New Category Added - Premium Electronics

Reddmark has extended its already extensive Category list to include Luxurious Electronics. This category will include High End LCD, Plasma, and HD TV's as well as many other "luxury" electronics. On ReddMark.com, a luxury piece of electronic equipment is defined as something that you can live without, but is a must have piece of equipment considered a neccessity for those that can afford it.List and sell Luxury and High End Electronics at Reddmark.com