The fake, the gray, and the non-existent
By its very nature, a lot of tech gear is easy to forge. Sure, you’ll spot a fake iPhone without much effort, but what about a fake SanDisk SD card? This is a huge problem for photographers, as SanDisk is one of the most popular brands of memory cards. In 2011, an engineer at the company estimated that around 30 percent of SanDisk-labeled cards were fake. Gray market products (genuine goods sold by unauthorized retailers) are an issue, too. These items are often purchased elsewhere in the world and then imported to the US to be sold at a profit. It’s a common tactic with camera gear, which can be bought significantly cheaper in Asia. The problem isn’t that gray market goods won’t work, it’s that if something goes wrong, you won’t have a manufacturers’ warranty or support to fall back on. For example, if you bought a gray market Sigma lens online and want to get it serviced or repaired in the US, you’ll have to pay an additional $250 charge. This is still better than some companies, such as Nikon, which will just refuse to help you. But fear not—it is possible to spot scammy sellers, suspicious products, and bad deals.
Buy from reputable stores
The simplest way to avoid counterfeit products is to buy from stores with good reputations. If you’re buying Apple products, buy them from Apple itself. Want a new Galaxy S21? Buy it directly from Samsung’s website or your carrier of choice. For camera gear, a store like B&H Photography is your best bet. And for everything else, it’s hard to beat a big box store like Best Buy. They’re all authorized retailers for the products they’re selling. You might pay a little more than you would somewhere else, but you will get peace of mind and a nearly risk-free experience.
Look out for warning signs
On the other hand, if a new seller has a low number of ratings and reviews, you have reason to be cautious. They could be a legitimate business that’s just getting up and running, but they also might be a scam artist. If your purchase isn’t urgent, wait a few weeks to see if the seller gets more feedback and reviews that swing your decision one way or the other. If not, consider whether it’s worth the risk—or if you’d be better off buying from somewhere else. If you need a little help, a service like ReviewMeta will help you quickly analyze products for fake reviews. But suspicious reviews aren’t the only red flag. You should also check the product description and photos. A legitimate listing will normally have proper product photo and a well written, accurate description. If there are spelling mistakes, amateurish photos, or incredibly long shipping times, you have cause for concern. It’d be a better idea to buy elsewhere. One final thing to look out for is the phrase “international version,” which is basically code for gray market goods that won’t come with the manufacturer’s warranty.
If it’s too good to be true, it probably is
For all the specific advice out there, it’s hard to beat good old common sense—if something is too good to be true, it probably is. AirPods just don’t cost $30, no matter how much the seller guarantees they’re real. If you get a bad feeling about buying something online, trust your gut and take your business elsewhere.
