The growth of the counterfeits parts industry is causing problems for motorists, suppliers, manufacturers, and governments from around the world. Just how bad is the problem? For starters, the manufacturing and distribution of counterfeit car parts is a multi billion dollar per year business. Car owners from the Kia to the Camaro and from the Geo to the Golf, and every make and model in between are all susceptible to getting hooked with fake parts. This doesn't have to happen and I am going to share with you how you can avoid being deceived by purveyors of bogus car parts.
Read the labels. Fake parts purveyors are getting very crafty in copying logos
and other important information off of product boxes. Check for typographical
errors or odd sounding language on the boxes. Most counterfeiters are smart
when it comes to crime, but pretty dumb when it comes to understanding the proper
use of English terms, grammar, and spelling. For example, brand names spelled
wrong such as Monrow for Monroe. One more point: packaging may be "correct"
but sized wrong; be suspicious of any part sold to you in a package that isn't
sized according to the product it holds.
Check the part. If the texture of a part seems odd, it could be a fake. For
example, that Hella headlight may not be what it appears to be especially if
the element inside looks cheap or broken, or if too much plastic was used in
the development of the casing.
Know your supplier. Purchasing your parts from a reliable supplier isn't a
100% guarantee that the parts received are genuine. Still, if they back up what
they sell with a guarantee you won't get stuck should a counterfeit part get
passed through them to and on to you.
Buy OEM or better. Only purchase parts that meet or exceed stringent original
manufacturer requirements. Prices 70, 80, or 90% lower than retail rates should
raise a warning flag. Stick with the name brands; there is a reason why products
from Bosch, Covercraft, Denso, Flowmaster, Injen, K&N, and others sell so well:
they are trusted names associated with well known brands. Avoid generic or no
name brands.
If you think that you have been sold bogus parts, inform the local police as
well as the parts supplier of the problem. If you buy from an overseas company,
the chances of you receiving a refund from them are slim. When purchasing online
only purchase through those retailers who have an established track record and
are reachable through a toll free number. You may save money in the short run
with bogus parts, but you will lose in the long run with Volkswagen or other
parts that are defective or even dangerous.
