Authenticity
Whether you call them fakes, replicas, look-alikes, reproductions or knockoffs...it is still called product counterfeiting and it is BIG business. According to the Department of Commerce, losses to U.S. business from the counterfeiting of trademarked consumer products are estimated at $250 billion a year.
Counterfeiting is the imitation of a product and unauthorized use of another's trademark (registered brand name, logo, scent, design, etc.). The counterfeit, identical in appearance, gives the impression of being the genuine product from the real manufacturer.
Allowing counterfeit items to enter the marketplace is illegal. Some people mistakenly believe that if counterfeit merchandise is identified on the sales tag as being "fake", "faux", "look-a-like" or "replica" it is alright to buy or sell it. Not true...a counterfeit is still a counterfeit and is still illegal. You can find them for sale on street corners in major cities, in house parties, out of the trunks of luxury autos or perhaps "from behind the counter" or "under the table" at legitimate stores. Let us be clear - it is still trademark infringement and it is illegal. Counterfeiting is punishable by fines, confiscation, and prosecution - so protect yourself and do not buy or sell any goods that you suspect may not be genuine.
When customers realize a business sold them a counterfeit product, they lose their trust and wonder what else the store is being dishonest about. At etc. Consignment Shoppe, we will not ever knowingly sell a counterfeit product. If we are not sure of the authenticity of a product, we will not accept it unless we have had it authenticated either by our own personnel or an outside company.