For high-end merchandise worldwide, counterfeiting has been the huge problem in trade nowadays. The so called counterfeit business has an estimated worth of more than $500 billion.
Counterfeit sportswear and especially athletic clothing such as the PUMA brand is very preferable target for counterfeiters to profit from easily tricked consumers.
After sneak peeking through this guide, you will be capable to spot any fake PUMA products.
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Check for Incorrect or Missing Labels
One of the simplest giveaways for a phony PUMA product is to look at the labels - counterfeit versions will have blurry labels with inconsistent sizing, fonts and branding, while original products will have legible, clear quality labels with consistent sizing and branding.
If you are in a brick and mortar store, you can also ask the items to be brought up for you to try out once or twice.
Style Number: All original PUMA products are adorned with an individual style code printed on the label. This normally consists of a combination of numbers and letters or perhaps a number followed by a hyphen e.g. ’194423-01’. If the style code is missing or the code number doesn’t follow PUMA’s naming conventions, such as if it does not include the hyphen, the product is almost certainly a fake.
Size labels: designation (S, M, L, etc) print must be inside, on an inner label. Fuzzy or otherwise misprinted size labels are a mark of the counterfeit.
Washing/Care Labels: For all PUMA apparel, there should always be an additional label inside the garment with washing instructions. Within this second label, you will also find the contents of the shoe and the country of origin.
Pattern/print repeat: All new products should have a defined pattern repeat where the rows/columns of the pattern align. Fakes could have a disrupted printing process.
Inspect all labels and tags for inconsistencies, pixilation, poor print quality, spelling errors or any other anomalies – if in doubt, it is almost certainly a fake PUMA item.
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Verify Online
The internet offers us handy auxiliary means of checking PUMA items:
Search for Style Number
Next, look at the style code that is also printed on the tag of the product. Copy the number, and simply search for it on Google. If it does not match with anything on PUMA’s website or with other sellers, consider the product a fake. Lastly, compare the search results image to the product in question – any discrepancies at all mean that you’re dealing with a knockoff.
Check Batch Codes
For PUMA fragrances, cosmetics and other beauty products, the batch code can be found on the product packaging or on the bottom of the product (a series of numbers and letters).
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Check for the batch code online to see if it is associated with any legitimate PUMA products (there are databases online that list the batch codes associated with legitimate products).
If you don’t get any results, it’s likely to be a fake batch code. As an example, a legitimate PUMA batch code may be ‘38U60OG’ or ‘8318A007F0’, while a fake batch code may look more like ‘75001 2210360’.
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Inspect Quality and Construction
Authentic PUMA items are made with premium materials that ensure they live up to high standards of quality and construction.
Imitations are created cheaply with negligible care and attention to detail. One of the simplest ways to determine whether PUMA shoes or any other item is fake is to assess its appearances and quality of construction.
Materials: Real PUMA shoes and clothes are made from quality leather, technical performance fibers, soft foam and advanced polymers. Fakes tend to use cheaper plastics and low-end fabrics that impersonate the real thing.
Stitching and Finishing: Check for tight stitches and seams that are robust and secure, as well as clean, quality detailing. Glue and misplaced paint marks are good indicators that a painting is a replica.
Weight and Feel: Pick up the items and try to get a feeling for the weight and handfeel. FAKE PUMA products will generally feel ‘lighter and cheaper’ and less substantial than authentic items.
Use your senses to detect any cutting corners, bad materials, or shoddy construction that might indicate another fake PUMA product.
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Verify Packaging and Accessories
The small details of packaging and accessories can also reveal a fake:
Authentic PUMA product will be sold in official PUMA boxes, bags or wrapping. Always be suspicious if the product appears loose, wrapped in cheap plastic, or sold without any branding.
And typically, PUMA shoes come with extra laces and inserts. PUMA apparel can have hangtags or other small accessories. Poor or lack of such accessories is an indicator of a fake.
