The great outdoors conjure up many things – breath-taking views, the pinnacle of nature, green trees abound and the freshest of air. While man’s attraction and adventures with nature have been chronicled for centuries, a new, less desirable facet must be included…counterfeits.
According to a recent study report published by the Outdoor Foundation, participation in outdoor sports and activities has increased to 100.7 million Americans age 6 and above in 2010. Other research has shown an increase in specific activities such as hiking, camping, kayaking and mountain climbing. As people migrate outdoors, the outdoor retail industry has seen an increase in demand, and like many other markets this demand for moderate to expensively priced goods has opened the door for counterfeits. While counterfeit jackets and apparel pose familiar threats to brand integrity and quality, other retail items in this industry generate real health and safety concerns for consumers. The purchase and use of substandard counterfeit goods, such as climbing gear, could result in serious injury or even death.
Before your next purchase, please read the tips below to determine whether you are purchasing authentic equipment, gear, and apparel.
Bike Parts
- Purchase only from authorized retailers in order to ensure that your bike parts will not only fit properly for your bike, but will also perform properly
- Examine logos and trademark signs for any disparities between your purchase and an authentic product’s branding
- Pay close attention to the design and materials of the packaging to ensure that your product’s packaging is typical of a particular brand – also be wary of packaging that has been tampered with or is non-existent
- If possible, determine and compare the production origin of your product and research where other products from the same brand are produced and distributed from
As with any other branded consumer product, it essential to follow these basic rules of thumb:
- Always purchase from an authorized retailer
- If the price looks too good to be true, it probably is
- Spelling mistakes on any part of the product are a dead giveaway of a counterfeit
Learn about how you can identify other counterfeit products, or request more information to speak with OpSec about our integrated brand protection solutions.
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