How to spot a counterfeit? Genuine vs replica - what to check before buying

• A price far below the marketBranded earbuds at 15% of retail are not "surplus stock". Manufacturers guard their margins and discounts on current models have limits.
• Code words in the title"1:1", "super copy", "AAA+", "OEM version", "master quality" are the language of the replica trade. Nobody describes a genuine product that way.
• Logo on the graphics but not on the productIf the listing graphics carry a logo while photos of the actual item are blurred or show an unmarked device, that is a fake dodging platform filters.
• Renders onlyManufacturer material without a single real photo suggests the seller has never held the product.
• Variants that do not existA colour or capacity the manufacturer never released is an instant giveaway. Compare against the model list on the brand site.
• Reviews about a different productSellers swap listing content to inherit accumulated reviews. If the comments discuss phone cases and the listing sells earbuds, walk away.

• Check the authorised seller listMany manufacturers publish their official distributors. It is the fastest check for pricier brands.
• Compare the spec with the manufacturer dataFakes trip over details: weight, dimensions, Bluetooth version, battery capacity. Put the listing next to the product page on the brand site.
• Ask the seller for a serial numberAn honest seller provides it without hesitation. A refusal, or "it depends on the batch", ends the conversation.
• Check the IMEI for phonesIMEI can be verified in public databases. A non-existent number, or one assigned to a different model, settles it.
• Use the brand verification codeMany manufacturers, especially in cosmetics and electronics, let you verify a code from the packaging on their own site.

• Record the unboxingA video starting from the sealed parcel is the strongest evidence in a dispute. Without it the discussion is word against word.
• Print and build qualityA crooked logo, shifted typeface, sharp plastic edges, a rattling shell and uneven gaps are replica classics.
• Weight and materialsFakes are almost always lighter - cheaper plastic, a smaller battery, no metal parts. Compare with the manufacturer figures.
• Software and pairingGenuine earbuds or watches connect properly to the manufacturer app and accept updates. Fakes usually fail exactly here.
• Certification marks on power suppliesFor chargers, look for the CE mark and manufacturer details on the casing. Their absence disqualifies the device - this thing plugs into mains voltage.

A counterfeit sold as genuine is goods not in conformity with the contract. The seller is liable for that non-conformity, and where they sourced the item is their problem, not yours. For online purchases you additionally have 14 days to withdraw without giving a reason, which is often the fastest way out of the transaction.

On AliExpress, open a dispute citing "item not as described" and attach a comparison with the manufacturer page plus the unboxing video. On Amazon or Allegro, use the buyer protection programme. If you paid by card and the platform rejects the claim, a bank chargeback remains.

Counterfeit goods infringe intellectual property rights and can be seized by customs when imported from outside the EU. The parcel is then never delivered, and you do not get your money back automatically - the claim has to go to the seller or the platform.

Importing a fake for personal use does not turn the buyer into a criminal case, but it does mean a real risk of losing both the goods and the money. That alone is reason enough to leave listings that look like replicas at first glance well alone.