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If You are Suspicious, Ask the Vendor if the Goods are Authentic:
Surprisingly, vendors will often answer such inquiries honestly and readily admit the goods they are offering are counterfeit or "replicas." It may be that these vendors are aware they can be prosecuted for a separate crime--consumer fraud--if they do not honestly respond. Others may believe the person asking could be an undercover law enforcement agent or manufacturers' investigator and be concerned that claiming that counterfeit goods are authentic will cause them even more legal problems.
Beware of Vendors Who Fail To Charge Sales Tax:
Many counterfeit vendors do not charge applicable sales tax, GST or VAT, or are willing to negotiate a sale by eliminating such taxes. This, of course, is a separate crime, but also serves as a strong indication the goods on sale are counterfeit.
Beware of Pricing that Looks Too Low:
If the price seems too low, the product is likely counterfeit. In some areas, counterfeit goods are sold in private retail stores or storefronts. Most legitimate retail stores, of course, have periodic sales where authentic goods are discounted. However, If pricing seems to be too good, a quick phone call to the manufacturer can usually verify whether or not that store is an authorized distributor of that brand.
Anti-Counterfeiting Criminal Statutes:
To view the relevant U.S. Government statute and the new Michigan state statute, click on the STATUTES button below.
Reporting Counterfeit Products:
If you are aware of counterfeit goods being sold in quantity, we would like to know about it. If you want to provide us with information, please click on the REPORT COUNTERFEIT PRODUCTS button below to go to a form where you can input your observations and information.
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