The Greensheet (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 14, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 18, 2006 Page: 51 of 56
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May 18-24, 2006
Page 51
Better Business
BBB
Informed
Q: I'm shopping early for my
girlfriend's birthday present, and all she
keeps talking about is a couple of different
designer purses. I stopped by the mall and
nearly fell over when I saw how much
these were in the department stores. When
I typed the brand names in an online
search engine, I found site after site selling
these same purses for 50 - 90 percent less
than they were charging in the department
store. I looked hard at the photos and
couldn't tell any difference. Are these
real? If they're fake, do you think my girl
will be able to tell?
A: The counterfeit mass merchandise
market in China is exploding, and the
Internet is the new sales tool of choice. For
many years you could find these items at
flea markets, import centers and at some
convenience stores. I remember back in
college, my wife bought a look-a-like
purse at a flea market that was made in the
identical style of a brand name design.
This bag literally fell apart. The first thing
that broke was the shoulder strap, and she
nearly lost the entire contents of her purse.
She was determined to still use it, so she
took off the strap. The rest of the "leather"
began unraveling soon after. I was amazed.
I didn't believe it was possible for
something to fall apart that quickly!
Today, these sellers have moved out of
the dark corners of flea markets to the
bright lights of the Internet. I receive at
least two SPAM e-mail messages a day
wanting to sell me counterfeit designer
watches. It's not wise to buy fake
merchandise to deceive your girlfriend and
rip-off the brand's owner. But, I believe it
has to be very difficult to examine fake
merchandise online. The photos you see
probably came from the real
manufacturer's Web site or catalog. The
items you will receive in the mail are
cheap knock-offs. You can't examine the
seams, the accuracy of the logo, the smell
of the leather, or the weight of the item
over the Internet. "But wait," you say; the
site offers a money-back guarantee." My
response would be whether you really
believe a "store" operating out of the back
of someone's trunk selling knock-offs
online is going to refund your money? Do
business with a thief, and you're going to
get ripped-off.
Counterfeit products are produced with
primary attention to cost cutting, so
manufacturers don't waste much money
on quality, safety or cleanliness. What
makes a top quality product so highly
esteemed is usually not present in a
counterfeit version. Counterfeit toys, for
example, can break or stop working early
on and counterfeit clothes may come apart
at the seams or contain material that
weakens or fades much sooner than would
the real product.
If you believe you can trick your
girlfriend with a fake purse, think again.
Women know these things instinctively.
What if you gave your girlfriend a
cashier's check to go buy a '67 Mustang
and she brought home a '67 Camero?
Could you tell the difference?
Even if she believes the purse is real,
she's going to run into someone sooner or
later that owns the genuine article. Side-
by-side, there's no comparison to any
counterfeit merchandise. They must make
the item cheaply if they're going to make a
profit and sell it at a bargain price. There's
just no way around this fact.
The Better Business Bureau urges
consumers to protect themselves against
buying counterfeits by:
• Buying from a store you can trust.
Street vendors, flea markets and fly-by-
night stores often serve as outlets for
counterfeits.
• If a price is so low it seems hard to
believe, chances are the product is a
counterfeit. Watches retailing for $1,000
or more cannot realistically be sold for as
low as $50, no matter what the discount.
• Examine trademarks closely. Labels
should be exactly the same size, shape,
and color as the real product.
• Don't look only at labels or trademarks.
Check the product itself. Make certain the
materials and construction live up to the
actual product's reputation for quality.
• Also check the packaging. The printing
on the packaging for counterfeits is often
of poor quality and is a telltale sign that
the product inside is counterfeit.
• Check the manufacturer's Web site for
counterfeit clues.
• When in doubt, do not buy!
I met a girl once that worked in the purse
department at a major department store.
She said at least once a day someone
would come in and try to exchange or
return a fake purse for a real one. This
practice constitutes fraud and theft, so they
had a discrete routine where these
customers would be escorted to the back
by security and often arrested and
prosecuted. What happens if your
girlfriend decides to exchange your purse
at the mall for a different color? Do you
think her being arrested over your birthday
present would be good for your
relationship?
Please send your questions to:
Brent Rogers
The Better Business Bureau
1333 West Loop South, Suite 1200
Houston, Texas 77027
Fax: 713-867-4947,
E-mail: brogers@bbbhou.org
Web site: http://www.bbbhou.org
Be sure to include your mailing address
and phone number with all letters and e-
mail questions.
Transportation
SUVs, Trucks, Vans
2002 BUICK Rendezvous, leather,
nice, $13,997. Call Robert, (210)837-
0515.
2005 BUICK Rendezvous CX:
Automatic, p/w, p/l, luxury SUV.
$19,995. (281)463-2000.
2003 BMW X5: $28,900. Call Eric,
(210)771-5453.
CASH FOR cars & trucks, 1991-
up. (512)923-4919.
1996 CHEVROLET extended cab
pickup: V-8 manual transmission,
white, blue interior. Excellent.
$4500 obo. (936)715-5336. INDI-
VIDUAL
2005 CHEVROLET Silverado
Z71 extended cab 5.3L 16K miles.
Silver with charcoal interior. Fully
loaded, too many options to list.
This truck is like brand-new!
Asking $26,000. Call Liz (512)971-
1601 INDIVIDUAL-Web#265161
■ AAA CHEVROLET
1000 SUBURBAN:
AwWW Excellent condition,
all power/electric.Third seat, tow-
ing package! 1 owner, 83K, Must
sell this Week! $7999 negotiable.
(512)342-0929. INDIVIDUAL
1992 CHEVY % ton 4x4 Pickup:
Runs and drives, needs work,
$1500. (512)567-3431. INDIVIDUAL
2002 CHEVY 2500 HD: Crew cab,
4x4, LS, loaded, very clean,
$19,900. (210)414-8777. INDIVID-
UAL
2001 CHEVY 1500: Extended cab,
all power, Regency. $13,995.
(979)826-7400.
2005 CHEVY 1500: 20" wheels, all
power, big V8, sharp, black.
$17,995. (979)826-7400.
2005 CHEVY 1500 Crew cab: $468/
month, $22,688. Call Tony
(512)844-1680.
2002 CHEVY 2500 HD: Crew cab,
diesel, loaded, $24,900. (210)414-
8777. INDIVIDUAL
1995 CHEVY Blazer: Runs good.
153K miles. $3000. (512)389-6039
or (512)366-2770. INDIVIDUAL
1998 CHEVY Blazer: 4 door, 130K,
$4995. (512)238-6930.
2001 CHEVY C1500. Free warranty.
Call Mr. Brown at Hyundai Auto
Mall. $8695. S#185101B.
1(800)591-7420.
2001 CHEVY Blazer: Blue, 111K,
leather,full power, $6500 (512)619-
9612. (512)246-2277.
2002 CHEVY C1500. Extra cab. V-8.
$11,900. Call (512)930-6297. INDI-
VIDUAL
2004 CHEVY C1500. Extra cab. V-8,
24K miles. $18,500. Call (512)930-
6298.
2005 CHEVY Cargo Van: $349/
month, $16,788. Call Tony
(512)844-1680.
2006 CHEVY Colorado: $369/
month, $17,988. Call Tony (512)844-
1680.
2006 CHEVY Colorado.Tint, power
locks, windows. $18,500. Call
(512)930-6298.
2001 CHEVY C2500: 4x4, $11,997.
(210)837-0515.
1984 CHEVY PICKUP
Ladder racks,Tommy gate lift, tool-
boxes, % Ton, 179K, new tires/
Complete Tune-up, $2000 firm.
(512)276-0746. INDIVIDUAL
2001 CHEVY S-10 extended cab
LS: V-6, auto, sport side, 3rd door,
nice truck, loaded. $7995. May
finance. (512)892-8626.
1985 CHEVY Silverado: Needs
work on motor. Call for details,
(830)484-0304. INDIVIDUAL
1988 CHEVY Silverado 1500: Nice
pick-up, $2700. (210)872-7796.
INDIVIDUAL
2002 CHEVY Silverado Extended
Cab: $349/ month, $16,988. Call
Tony (512)844-1680.
2004 CHEVY Silverado Stepside.
Black extended. $19,900. Call
(512)930-6298.
1990 CHEVY Suburban: Automatic,
V-8, cold a/c, p/w, p/l, aluminum
wheels, runs good. Only $1450.
(512)469-0292.
1998 CHEVY Suburban LT:
Maroon, 101K, clean, leather,
alarm. $8500 obo (512)470-2394.
INDIVIDUAL
1994 CHEVY Suburban: V-8, auto-
matic, p/w, p/l. $6995. (979)822-
5464.
2000 CHEVY Suburban LT1500:
2WD, black with cream leather,
103K, $12,900. (210)496-1976.
INDIVIDUAL
2002 CHEVY Suburban: $309/
month, $14,988. Call Tony
(512)844-1680.
2003 CHEVY Suburban LT: $389/
month, $18,995. Call Tony
(512)844-1680.
1999 CHEVYTahoe: New tires, new
transmission, new catalytic con-
verters, cold a/c. $6500. (512)775-
4408; (512)775-5156.
1999 CHEVY Suburban. 4x4,
leather, low miles. $10,000. Call
(512)930-6298.
2002 CHEVY Tahoe: Automatic,
p/w, p/l, alloys, SUV. $17,995.
(281)463-2000.
1987 CHEVY van: % ton, good con-
dition, runs good! Inspected,
good tires, good brakes, 192K
miles, serviced regularly. $1500
cash. Buda, TX. (512)295-2131.
INDIVIDUAL
2000 CHEVY Ventura Van: Loaded,
runs and drives perfect, all
records, 203K, $3495 obo. Tom,
(512)233-9293. INDIVIDUAL
2001 CHRYSLER Town and
Country. $6900. S#098867A. Free
warranty. Mr. Brown. Hyundai
Auto Mall. 1(800)591-7420.
2003 CHRYSLER PT Cruiser: Black,
$12,500. (210)837-0515.
1992 DODGE DAKOTA:
V6, long bed, new tires, needs
transmission. Must sell! $2250.
(512)454-2499.
1998 DODGE 2500 Quad cab: 4x4,
diesel, auto, p/w, p/l, tilt, cruise,
$10,500. (979)822-5464.
1989 DODGE Dakota 150: 315
miles, a/c, no dents/ needs paint.
$1500 cash. Mike (512)413-8135.
2000 DODGE Dakota: 80,299
miles, stock# 549915. $8990.
(512)255-1888.
1990 DODGE Dually pickup, fully
loaded, deisel, 54K. $18,000.
(979)251-2289. INDIVIDUAL
2003 DODGE Durango: $309/
month, $14,988. Call Tony
(512)844-1680.
1998 DODGE Ram 1500 regular
cab, 120K, V6, a/c, automatic.
$4250. Jordan in Bryan. (936)545-
6466. INDIVIDUAL
2004 DODGE RAM 1500TRUCK
std cab, 27,000 miles, air bag, ABS,
a/c, p/s, cc, tilt, p/ seats, p/ win-
dows, tint, am/fm, p/ door locks, p/
mirrors, this truck is really clean!
$19,000. (512)771-9390 INDIVID-
UAL-Web#264373
2001 DODGE Ram: quad- cab 88K
miles, silver with chrome rims.
Excellent condition. $9800 obo.
(512)554-4673 INDIVIDUAL
2001 DODGE Ram Caravan: 117K,
$5500 (512)619-9612. (512)246-
2277.
2001 DODGE Ram 1500:
Automatic, 78,807 miles, stock#
293864. $9990. (512)255-1888.
2001 DODGE Ram 1500, SWB,
camper, only 44K, $10,995, 979-
826-7400.
2003 DODGE Ram 2500 Quad cab
4x4, auto, 44K miles, $26,500.
(979)836-2391.
2004 DODGE Ram 2500: Quad cab,
auto, 36K miles. $24,600. (979)836-
2391.
2005 DODGE Ram Quad cab: $389/
month, $18,988. Call Tony
(512)844-1680.
2005 DODGE Ram 3500: Quad cab
dually, 6 speed, 24K miles,
$28,500. (979)836-2391.
1998 EXPLORER Sport: auto, a/c,
$5200 cash or $1800 down.
(512)238-6930.
2000 F-150 XLT: V8, extended cab,
automatic, cold a/c, CD player, bed
liner, new tires, no accidents, one
owner, loaded. $7800. (512)844-
1328. INDIVIDUAL
2002 F150 Crew Cab: $309/ month,
$14,995. Call Tony (512)844-1680.
1999 F250 Super duty: $229/
month, $10,988. Call Tony
(512)844-1680.
2006 FORD 500. Low miles, fully
loaded. $18,900. Call (512)930-
6298.
2003 FORD E-150 Hi-top conver-
sion. TV's, DVD's. $17,500. Call
(512)930-6297.
1978 FORD Econoline: One
owner, 116K, a/c, very clean,
must see. $1800 obo. Habla
espanol. (512)577-8958.
2003 FORD Expedition: leather
V-8, 15" DVD, 6 CD, completely
loaded- excellent condition, 42K
miles, below book $20,500
(512)789-3178 INDIVIDUAL-
Web#263257
2005 FORD Escape Limited:
Loaded, leather. Free warranty.
$15,980. S#27632849. Call Mr
Brown @ Hyundai Auto Mall
(800)591-7420.
2000 FORD Expedition: Cold a/c
$10,000 obo. Moving out state!
Must sell! (210)332-8121. (210)332-
8126. INDIVIDUAL
2002 FORD Expedition. Free war-
ranty. Call Mr. Brown at Hyundai
Auto Mall. $15,999. S#300926A.
1(800)591-7420.
2005 FORD Escape XL: 4wd, black,
loaded, 27K miles. $18,995.
(979)779-7063.
2003 FORD Expedition: Eddie, TV,
white, $13,990 obo. (210)528-8118.
INDIVIDUAL
2001 FORD Escape: $189/ month,
$8995. Call Tony (512)844-1680.
1996 FORD Explorer Sport: 4x4,
strong motor/ transmission,
$4150. (210)872-7796. INDIVID-
UAL
1997 FORD explorer XLT: 4 door,
automatic, power doors, power
locks, $3995. (512)238-6930.
2000 FORD F-250: Power stroke,
diesel, Supercab, 6 speed, XLT,
loaded, very clean. $14,900.
(210)414-8777. INDIVIDUAL
2002 FORD F-150 XLT: V6, auto,
flairside, 65K, super clean,
$10,500. (512)618-9783. INDIVID-
UAL
2003 FORD Explorer Sport: 2 door,
auto, 27K, clean, $13,995.
(210)592-5221.
2004 FORD Explorer: P/w, p/l,
alloys, SUV. $17,895. (281)463-
2000.
Section continues...
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The Greensheet (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 14, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 18, 2006, newspaper, May 18, 2006; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth435337/m1/51/?rotate=270: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .