When I was a child, I would make my own Mother’s Day cards in art class at school. What child didn’t? One of the things that we learn at home, hopefully, and then at school definitely, is how much we need to appreciate our moms. So, in appreciation for bringing us in the world, we spend our childhood and teens gifting Mom with simplistic gifts. And, Mom always loves us for it.
However, the truth is that our Moms deserve much more than that, especially as we get older and get jobs. No, expressions of maternal love should not be solely quantified in monetary amounts. Still, how much we care about Mom is quantified by our actions through what we buy for Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day is big business. Over $25 billion in sales should be racked up by businesses in 2019 for the Mother’s Day.
About 84% of American adults will buy a gift for their mothers. However, these billions in Mother’s Day purchases are made through an accumulation of low-priced gifts. The average person spends about $60 or so on their Mother’s Day gift annually.
Buying Counterfeit
According to Red Points, an online intellectual property research firm, over 20% of Americans unwittingly, or unwittingly, buy counterfeit gifts for Mother’s Day. Most people gift their mothers with counterfeit versions of jewelry, bracelets, handbags, watches, and other products resembling notable brands. Counterfeit retail products are intricately designed to aesthetically imitate the style of genuinely branded products.
Like replicating a trademark logo or design styles to fool consumers into believing that they are buying the real thing. Along with potentially disappointing Mom, you should know that counterfeit products are also illegal. What’s amazing about the data compiled by Red Points is that a sizable portion of Americans buy counterfeit Mother’s Day gifts on purpose.
Many people know that they are buying Mom a fake. Over one-in-three American shoppers say that they knowingly bought their Mom a counterfeit gift on Mother’s Day.
Counterfeit Vs. Knockoff
If you want to play with a grey area in terms of counterfeit products, then you can consider knockoffs, which still aren’t the real thing. Counterfeit products are designed to resemble the exacting, trademarked designs and characteristics of the genuine article. Knockoffs may have a similar aesthetic design scheme of the genuine article, and may remind you of it, but don’t infringe on trademarked aesthetics and design characteristics.
You know a knockoff product when you see one. It’s the difference between a genuine Louis Vuitton handbag and a, “Louie Vuttoni,” knockoff handbag, for example. Counterfeit products can sometimes be hard to recognize. However, they are eventually revealed. You may notice defective workmanship or irregularities in design. Counterfeit products are made from shoddy materials and may tear or fall apart or wear out soon after purchase as well.
Mom Is Worth More
Mother’s Day has already passed, but this is information that can help you save money for next year and every succeeding Mother’s Day. Mom deserves better, and you will save money. Sure, you are paying for a brand. However, counterfeits are made with non-quality, shoddy materials worth pennies or less. So, why pay $60, or more, for a counterfeit product that will wear out soon?
So, how can you spot counterfeit goods or sites that sell them? Counterfeit scammers know that most people wait until the last moment to buy Mother’s Day gifts. Beware of last-minute phishing emails, designed to collect your information. They may also direct you to retail websites designed to look like Amazon, but may be fakes. The browser bar for any legitimate e-commerce website will feature a tiny symbol reminiscent of a locked padlock and begin with, “https.”
Such features indicate that the website regularly updates its online security protocols. However, your best bet to avoid counterfeit Mother’s Day gifts is to buy from brick-and-mortar stores.
Read More
4 Ways to Organize Your Wardrobe to Save Money and Time
Budget-Conscious, Fashionable Handbags for Mother’s Day
Should You Buy a Diamond Engagement Ring Online or in a Jewelry Store?
Allen Francis was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years with no money, no financial literacy, and no responsibility when he had money. To him, the phrase “personal finance,” contains the power that anyone has to grow their own wealth. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including focusing on your needs instead of your wants, asking for help when you need it, saving and investing in your own small business.