The most counterfeited brands of the season—and how to avoid getting ripped off by Joanna Douglas, Shine Staff, on Thu Dec 9, 2010 10:50am PST
Luxury items from big-name brands are ultra-popular holiday gifts, but with so many impostors out there, it's extra important to be sure you're buying the real thing. Shopping online places greater distance between you and your purchase (which allows serious room for scams), but these days it's even tricky to spot a counterfeit item in person. The online consumer site SiteJabber has put together a list of the top 10 counterfeit items and brands for the holiday season. If you're looking to buy any of the goods listed below, you'll want to be extra careful about where you buy the item and examine it closely or check the store's return policy before you commit.Behold! The top 10 most counterfeited items of 2010:
UGGs
Coach handbags and leather items
Tiffany's
Athletic jerseys
Perfume
Nike sneakers (especially Air Yeezy and Air Jordans)
Ed Hardy and Juicy brands
Watches (like Rolex, Omega, and Tag Heuer)
North Face
DVDs (especially box sets of TV series)
So, how do you know if your purchase is a fake? Many websites like UGG Australia and auction sites like eBay offer up guides and tips on how to spot counterfeits, but there are some essential ways to identify an inauthentic fashion or beauty item:
Labels.
Be sure to know exactly what the real logo, label, and/or hang tag looks like, and check to see if they are spelled correctly, in the proper fonts, and located in the right positions on the item. Also check out the point-of-origin tag. Louis Vuitton bags are not "made in Taiwan."
Seams and stitching.
Most designer bags are made carefully so all-over prints continue evenly around the sides. If you see something that doesn't match up properly or stitching that looks uneven or crooked, it's probably not legit.
Lining.
Knock-offs often skimp on the interior materials to cut costs, so the real bag may be lined with suede, whereas the fake one will use cheap synthetic fabric.
Soles.
If you're buying footwear be sure all identifying marks (ie, the designer's name and logo) match up on the bottom.
Details.
Make sure zippers are working, threads are the right, matching color. Many brands include authenticity cards and instruction booklets with their merchandise—you can check with the company directly to find out if your purchase should have these.
Expiration dates.
Discounted designer perfumes could be authentic, but so old that they've actually gone bad years ago.
Packaging.
Is the item you're buying supposed to come with a dust bag or logo shoe box? If it's not included with your purchase something is wrong. And remember: just because something is sealed in plastic does not mean it's real. People have been known to fill perfume bottles with household cleaners—or even urine—and shrink-wrap them.
To avoid complications, you should try and shop from the real, licensed store whenever possible, or a reputable website. Never buy luxury items on the street or from a random site online. Search engines cannot screen for sites carrying knock-offs and the pictures you see may vary from the actual item you receive. Do some research ahead of time to know exactly what your item should look like. If a vendor only accepts cash, this is also a red flag. Keep receipts and use a credit card so you have a record of your transaction.If along your shopping journey you do feel tempted to buy a fake item, perhaps for a good deal, don't. Counterfeits are illegal, and they are typically made under poor and unfair work conditions. They lessen the value of the brands you're essentially trying to support and negatively impact the overall global economy—the counterfeit industry removes tens of thousands of jobs and costs an estimated $600 billion of legitimate revenue a year. Not to mention you'll be missing out on the thrill of owning the real thing and have no warranty.
So when out trying to buy the real thing this holiday season, stick to authorized retailers and examine everything before you buy it. If an item looks suspicious in any way, walk away. If it looks too good to be true, it probably is!
Monday, December 13, 2010
What Your Car Says About You
by Zack O'Malley GreenburgFriday, October 9, 2009
Education level, tech smarts and wealth are just a few traits your ride can convey
Porsches smack of success. Hondas preach practicality. And, according to a recent report, Chevys proudly proclaim of their owners, "I don't use the Internet."
Your car implies more about your life than you might think. While 13% of Chevy owners don't use the Web, by contrast, less than 3% of Honda owners remain in the technological Stone Age. The antithesis of flashy, Honda owners are usually pragmatic and well educated; 70% boast a college degree or higher, compared with 35% of Chevy owners and 45% of Ford owners.
The data was released in the spring as part of this year's New Vehicle Experience Study by San Diego-based market research outfit Strategic Vision.
"Honda buyers buy primarily for the trust and dependability they find in our vehicles," says Honda spokesman Chris Naughton. "Typically, highly functional vehicles deliver less image because customers didn't purchase for image."
Education level and computer savvy are just a couple of the things your car says about you. We collected demographic data on 10 prominent auto brands from the manufacturers themselves, as well as from neutral sources like Strategic Vision. It turns out, your wheels also give clues to your age, gender, income level and marital status--even your political leanings.
Mini Mindset
If you'd like to cultivate an image of sophistication, try buying a Mini Cooper. The line of Lilliputian hatchbacks appeals to urbane buyers with median incomes of around $125,000. But aside from wealth, Mini owners are a tough bunch to pin down, demographically speaking, since the car has broad appeal.
Bauers says Mini owners fall into four categories: brand enthusiasts, who relish the car's British racing roots; design aficionados, who like the car's simple elegance; social butterflies, who want to be part of the Mini community; and gas misers, who crave the Mini's fuel efficiency.
Some of the latter group trade down from trucks and SUVs not because they feel financially crunched by high gas prices, but because they want to be conscientious and reduce their impact on the environment. These "right-sizers" like the Mini's eco-friendly image; all Mini models get at least 34 miles per gallon on the highway. Says Bauers: "Many of our customers are people who get a smaller car because it's the right thing to do."
Gray Area
While Minis appeal to several different types of people, owners of the classic English luxury vehicle Rolls-Royce can't be pigeonholed beyond the fact that they're rich.
"As you can imagine, our customers do not really take surveys," says Rolls-Royce spokeswoman Karen Vonder Meulen. "The one common thread that all our customers share is a passion for life and most truly love cars."
Indeed, well-known Rolls owners range from royal families to rappers. Recording artist T-Pain, who ranks No. 9 on Forbes' Hip-Hop Cash Kings list, owns North America's first Rolls-Royce Drophead. The fire-engine-red coupe boasts a 12-cylinder, 453-horsepower engine and a top speed of 150 miles per hour. Base price: $435,000.
Similarly, the Bentley trademark screams wealth--typically at least $5 million in investable assets, to be precise--but in a softer voice than some of its competitors.
"Our cars aren't as brash as some other performance-car manufacturers," says Stuart McCullough, a Bentley board member. "We tend to be understated, quintessentially English. That reflects the mood and style of our customers."
Such restraint can be considered especially important in the current climate. With unemployment rates skyrocketing around the world, many auto enthusiasts would rather drive an understated gray Bentley than a flashy red Ferrari.
"The most opulent part of a Bentley is on the inside," says McCullough. "Rich people are very aware of how others see them at the moment, the choices they make. Now is not the right time to be seen to be spending money when you're laying people off at your factory."
A note to those wealthy employers: Think twice about splurging on even an understated new car. If you see scads of Hondas in your company parking lot, their savvy owners may be wise to your ways. If you only see Chevys, you might be able to get away with it.
In Depth: What Your Car Says About You
1. Bentley
The Bentley trademark screams wealth, but in a softer voice than some of its competitors. "Our cars aren't as brash as some other performance car manufacturers," says Stuart McCullough, a Bentley board member. "We tend to be understated, quintessentially English. That reflects the mood and style of our customers." A Bentley also reflects its owner's bank account: typically flush with at least $5 million in investable assets.
2. Buick
Known as one of Detroit's geriatric brands, Buick is trying to shake its reputation with splashy vehicles like the LaCrosse. Owners of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse are 13% younger as a group than owners of the 2009 version, according to Buick reps. But on the whole, the sedan's owners remain a stodgy bunch: two-thirds are older than 55. They're also reasonably affluent, with a median household income of $75,000.
3. Chevrolet
On top of all the challenges facing Detroit automakers, Chevy must find a way to deal with the fact that its owners have a reputation for being behind the times, to put it nicely. Strategic Vision's 2009 New Vehicle Experience Study found that 13% of Chevy owners have never used the Web. By contrast, only 3% of Honda owners remain in the technological Stone Age. While 70% of Honda owners boast a college degree or higher, only 35% of Chevy owners can say the same.
4. Ford
Like Chevy, Ford faces a few unfavorable demographic trends. Only 45% of Ford owners have a college degree and 12% don't use the Internet. To combat this image and appeal to a younger, more tech-savvy group, Ford has introduced features in its cars such as Ford Sync, which allows drivers to play music from an iPod on the auto's sound system using Bluetooth technology. Drivers can request songs by voice command; Sync will even read text messages aloud.
5. Honda
The antithesis of flashy, Honda owners are usually pragmatic and well educated; 70% boast a college degree or higher. "Honda buyers buy primarily for the trust and dependability they find in our vehicles," says Chris Naughton, a Honda spokesperson. "Typically, highly functional vehicles deliver less image because customers didn't purchase for image." Honda users also tend to be tech-savvy--only 3% of owners don't use the Internet, compared with 13% of Chevy owners.
"It's a certain mindset," says Nathalie Bauers, spokeswoman for Mini USA. "People who relate to the brand, there's no age to that."
The above article is adopted from www.forbes.com
Education level, tech smarts and wealth are just a few traits your ride can convey
Porsches smack of success. Hondas preach practicality. And, according to a recent report, Chevys proudly proclaim of their owners, "I don't use the Internet."
Your car implies more about your life than you might think. While 13% of Chevy owners don't use the Web, by contrast, less than 3% of Honda owners remain in the technological Stone Age. The antithesis of flashy, Honda owners are usually pragmatic and well educated; 70% boast a college degree or higher, compared with 35% of Chevy owners and 45% of Ford owners.
The data was released in the spring as part of this year's New Vehicle Experience Study by San Diego-based market research outfit Strategic Vision.
"Honda buyers buy primarily for the trust and dependability they find in our vehicles," says Honda spokesman Chris Naughton. "Typically, highly functional vehicles deliver less image because customers didn't purchase for image."
Education level and computer savvy are just a couple of the things your car says about you. We collected demographic data on 10 prominent auto brands from the manufacturers themselves, as well as from neutral sources like Strategic Vision. It turns out, your wheels also give clues to your age, gender, income level and marital status--even your political leanings.
Mini Mindset
If you'd like to cultivate an image of sophistication, try buying a Mini Cooper. The line of Lilliputian hatchbacks appeals to urbane buyers with median incomes of around $125,000. But aside from wealth, Mini owners are a tough bunch to pin down, demographically speaking, since the car has broad appeal.
Bauers says Mini owners fall into four categories: brand enthusiasts, who relish the car's British racing roots; design aficionados, who like the car's simple elegance; social butterflies, who want to be part of the Mini community; and gas misers, who crave the Mini's fuel efficiency.
Some of the latter group trade down from trucks and SUVs not because they feel financially crunched by high gas prices, but because they want to be conscientious and reduce their impact on the environment. These "right-sizers" like the Mini's eco-friendly image; all Mini models get at least 34 miles per gallon on the highway. Says Bauers: "Many of our customers are people who get a smaller car because it's the right thing to do."
Gray Area
While Minis appeal to several different types of people, owners of the classic English luxury vehicle Rolls-Royce can't be pigeonholed beyond the fact that they're rich.
"As you can imagine, our customers do not really take surveys," says Rolls-Royce spokeswoman Karen Vonder Meulen. "The one common thread that all our customers share is a passion for life and most truly love cars."
Indeed, well-known Rolls owners range from royal families to rappers. Recording artist T-Pain, who ranks No. 9 on Forbes' Hip-Hop Cash Kings list, owns North America's first Rolls-Royce Drophead. The fire-engine-red coupe boasts a 12-cylinder, 453-horsepower engine and a top speed of 150 miles per hour. Base price: $435,000.
Similarly, the Bentley trademark screams wealth--typically at least $5 million in investable assets, to be precise--but in a softer voice than some of its competitors.
"Our cars aren't as brash as some other performance-car manufacturers," says Stuart McCullough, a Bentley board member. "We tend to be understated, quintessentially English. That reflects the mood and style of our customers."
Such restraint can be considered especially important in the current climate. With unemployment rates skyrocketing around the world, many auto enthusiasts would rather drive an understated gray Bentley than a flashy red Ferrari.
"The most opulent part of a Bentley is on the inside," says McCullough. "Rich people are very aware of how others see them at the moment, the choices they make. Now is not the right time to be seen to be spending money when you're laying people off at your factory."
A note to those wealthy employers: Think twice about splurging on even an understated new car. If you see scads of Hondas in your company parking lot, their savvy owners may be wise to your ways. If you only see Chevys, you might be able to get away with it.
In Depth: What Your Car Says About You
1. Bentley
The Bentley trademark screams wealth, but in a softer voice than some of its competitors. "Our cars aren't as brash as some other performance car manufacturers," says Stuart McCullough, a Bentley board member. "We tend to be understated, quintessentially English. That reflects the mood and style of our customers." A Bentley also reflects its owner's bank account: typically flush with at least $5 million in investable assets.
2. Buick
Known as one of Detroit's geriatric brands, Buick is trying to shake its reputation with splashy vehicles like the LaCrosse. Owners of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse are 13% younger as a group than owners of the 2009 version, according to Buick reps. But on the whole, the sedan's owners remain a stodgy bunch: two-thirds are older than 55. They're also reasonably affluent, with a median household income of $75,000.
3. Chevrolet
On top of all the challenges facing Detroit automakers, Chevy must find a way to deal with the fact that its owners have a reputation for being behind the times, to put it nicely. Strategic Vision's 2009 New Vehicle Experience Study found that 13% of Chevy owners have never used the Web. By contrast, only 3% of Honda owners remain in the technological Stone Age. While 70% of Honda owners boast a college degree or higher, only 35% of Chevy owners can say the same.
4. Ford
Like Chevy, Ford faces a few unfavorable demographic trends. Only 45% of Ford owners have a college degree and 12% don't use the Internet. To combat this image and appeal to a younger, more tech-savvy group, Ford has introduced features in its cars such as Ford Sync, which allows drivers to play music from an iPod on the auto's sound system using Bluetooth technology. Drivers can request songs by voice command; Sync will even read text messages aloud.
5. Honda
The antithesis of flashy, Honda owners are usually pragmatic and well educated; 70% boast a college degree or higher. "Honda buyers buy primarily for the trust and dependability they find in our vehicles," says Chris Naughton, a Honda spokesperson. "Typically, highly functional vehicles deliver less image because customers didn't purchase for image." Honda users also tend to be tech-savvy--only 3% of owners don't use the Internet, compared with 13% of Chevy owners.
"It's a certain mindset," says Nathalie Bauers, spokeswoman for Mini USA. "People who relate to the brand, there's no age to that."
The above article is adopted from www.forbes.com
8 Surprising Items That Set off Security Alarms
8 Surprising Items That Set off Security Alarms
Did you know that something as simple as a gum wrapper can trigger airport alarms? Here, eight ways you may unknowingly set off security measures—and what to do about it.
By Gary McKechnie
Ever wonder why the TSA singled you out to rifle through your bag? Or what exactly made the metal detector beep? By now, we all know to ditch our liquids before reaching security. But did you know that something as harmless as a headband can prompt a time-consuming cross-examination?
On an average day, transportation security officers scan more than 2 million travelers—and all of their luggage—and that number will only continue to increase. We spoke to TSA spokeswoman Lauren Gaches for the lowdown on eight seemingly harmless items that put officers on high alert.
Aluminum foil wrappers
Why they catch attention: Nothing escapes the metal-detecting prowess of airport security systems—not even something as miniscule as a foil wrapper. Many manufacturers of chewing gum, candy, and cigarettes have caught on and made the transition from metallic wrap to paper, but the hold-outs can put a kink in your smooth passage through airport checkpoints.
What to do: Empty your pockets of any and all offending foil before passing through a metal detector.
Retractable keys
Why they catch attention: Most screeners have been around long enough to gauge the threat level of familiar items such as keys, says Gaches. That said, retractable keys (the kind that pop out at the press of a button) can look like small knives in an X-ray image when they're extended.
What to do: It's not the type of item that's guaranteed to get you pulled aside, but to be on the safe side, we recommend retracting the keys before you send them down the X-ray conveyor belt.
Headbands
Why they catch attention: Even though headbands (like bulky clothing and hats) are not prohibited, sporting them may lead to additional screening. The reason is simple: Metal constitutes the frame of many headbands and, consequently, triggers the detector.
What to do: Avoid being pulled aside by sending your hair accessory through security ahead of you on the X-ray belt.
Small alcohol bottles
Why they catch attention: The TSA is naturally more focused on detecting potential explosives than in analyzing the contents of your personal minibar, but when it comes to liquors, the rules are based on size and packaging: Respectively, alcohol must be less than 3.4 ounces, bottled in original container, and contained in a one-quart sized, zip-top bag.
What to do: As long as you follow the 3-1-1 requirements for liquids, you should be ok.
Snow globes
Why they catch attention: Don't expect to get onto a plane with a snow globe. Believe it or not, the liquid contents of most crystal balls surpass the 3.4-ounce limit and, consequently, aren't allowed in carry-ons. In fact, back in October an abandoned package containing a snow globe appeared so suspicious that it caused the evacuation of Bradley International Airport in Connecticut.
What to do: There's no way around it—snow globes need to be checked.
Inhalers
Why they catch attention: As an aerosol product, some inhalers are a cause for concern because at first glance they may seem to violate the "3-1-1" rule for liquids, gels, and aerosols (limit of 3.4 ounces, packed in one quart-size, see-through, zip-top bag). Of course, given that these objects are a medical must for some travelers, they are exempt from restriction.
What to do: To avoid unwanted questioning, Gaches advises travelers to inform officers in advance if they're carrying an inhaler. It helps speed things up if your medications are properly labeled.
Underwire bras
Why they catch attention: The TSA swears this shouldn't be an issue, but we've heard plenty of tales from women (and at least one cross-dresser) who insist that the metal in an underwire bra has triggered a secondary "wanding" after passing through the metal detector. In some cases, a rogue underwire has even led to a closer inspection by a female agent in a private room.
What to do: The answer, then, may be to pack the metallic lingerie in your checked bags and sport a more comfortable model while in flight.
Jars of peanut butter
Why they catch attention: Everything on earth can be categorized as a liquid, gas, or solid—except maybe lava and peanut butter. It's doubtful you'll be packing lava in your purse, but what about peanut butter? It's certainly not a liquid—you could hold it upside down for a decade and it would never drop. But anything that can "conform to the shape of its container," such as cold cream, toothpaste, or, yes, peanut butter, can upset the swift flow of the security line.
What to do: Plan ahead and pack "conformable" liquids in the bags you'll be checking. Peanut butter sandwiches, on the other hand, are perfectly fine.
Note: This story was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
Did you know that something as simple as a gum wrapper can trigger airport alarms? Here, eight ways you may unknowingly set off security measures—and what to do about it.
By Gary McKechnie
Ever wonder why the TSA singled you out to rifle through your bag? Or what exactly made the metal detector beep? By now, we all know to ditch our liquids before reaching security. But did you know that something as harmless as a headband can prompt a time-consuming cross-examination?
On an average day, transportation security officers scan more than 2 million travelers—and all of their luggage—and that number will only continue to increase. We spoke to TSA spokeswoman Lauren Gaches for the lowdown on eight seemingly harmless items that put officers on high alert.
Aluminum foil wrappers
Why they catch attention: Nothing escapes the metal-detecting prowess of airport security systems—not even something as miniscule as a foil wrapper. Many manufacturers of chewing gum, candy, and cigarettes have caught on and made the transition from metallic wrap to paper, but the hold-outs can put a kink in your smooth passage through airport checkpoints.
What to do: Empty your pockets of any and all offending foil before passing through a metal detector.
Retractable keys
Why they catch attention: Most screeners have been around long enough to gauge the threat level of familiar items such as keys, says Gaches. That said, retractable keys (the kind that pop out at the press of a button) can look like small knives in an X-ray image when they're extended.
What to do: It's not the type of item that's guaranteed to get you pulled aside, but to be on the safe side, we recommend retracting the keys before you send them down the X-ray conveyor belt.
Headbands
Why they catch attention: Even though headbands (like bulky clothing and hats) are not prohibited, sporting them may lead to additional screening. The reason is simple: Metal constitutes the frame of many headbands and, consequently, triggers the detector.
What to do: Avoid being pulled aside by sending your hair accessory through security ahead of you on the X-ray belt.
Small alcohol bottles
Why they catch attention: The TSA is naturally more focused on detecting potential explosives than in analyzing the contents of your personal minibar, but when it comes to liquors, the rules are based on size and packaging: Respectively, alcohol must be less than 3.4 ounces, bottled in original container, and contained in a one-quart sized, zip-top bag.
What to do: As long as you follow the 3-1-1 requirements for liquids, you should be ok.
Snow globes
Why they catch attention: Don't expect to get onto a plane with a snow globe. Believe it or not, the liquid contents of most crystal balls surpass the 3.4-ounce limit and, consequently, aren't allowed in carry-ons. In fact, back in October an abandoned package containing a snow globe appeared so suspicious that it caused the evacuation of Bradley International Airport in Connecticut.
What to do: There's no way around it—snow globes need to be checked.
Inhalers
Why they catch attention: As an aerosol product, some inhalers are a cause for concern because at first glance they may seem to violate the "3-1-1" rule for liquids, gels, and aerosols (limit of 3.4 ounces, packed in one quart-size, see-through, zip-top bag). Of course, given that these objects are a medical must for some travelers, they are exempt from restriction.
What to do: To avoid unwanted questioning, Gaches advises travelers to inform officers in advance if they're carrying an inhaler. It helps speed things up if your medications are properly labeled.
Underwire bras
Why they catch attention: The TSA swears this shouldn't be an issue, but we've heard plenty of tales from women (and at least one cross-dresser) who insist that the metal in an underwire bra has triggered a secondary "wanding" after passing through the metal detector. In some cases, a rogue underwire has even led to a closer inspection by a female agent in a private room.
What to do: The answer, then, may be to pack the metallic lingerie in your checked bags and sport a more comfortable model while in flight.
Jars of peanut butter
Why they catch attention: Everything on earth can be categorized as a liquid, gas, or solid—except maybe lava and peanut butter. It's doubtful you'll be packing lava in your purse, but what about peanut butter? It's certainly not a liquid—you could hold it upside down for a decade and it would never drop. But anything that can "conform to the shape of its container," such as cold cream, toothpaste, or, yes, peanut butter, can upset the swift flow of the security line.
What to do: Plan ahead and pack "conformable" liquids in the bags you'll be checking. Peanut butter sandwiches, on the other hand, are perfectly fine.
Note: This story was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
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