When you buy a fake, you run several risks. We will tell you exactly what they are.

What risks do counterfeits pose for the consumer?

Anyone who buys original brand-name products from well-known manufacturers can be sure of receiving top quality. In the case of pharmaceutical or cosmetic products or stimulants, the manufacturer's information about the ingredients is binding and also legally protected by the Product Liability Act.

Anyone who gets involved in buying products from the pharmaceutical or cosmetic sector that are marketed as plagiarized or counterfeit products may be taking a considerable health risk. It is true that when printing product labels, counterfeiters will adhere precisely to the ingredients contained in the original product. However, the buyer naturally does not receive a guarantee that these ingredients were actually used in the production of the counterfeit in the specified concentration. Particularly in the case of medications (such as Viagra), however, even slight deviations can lead to considerable health impairments. The use of non-approved dyes or preservatives as well as toxic ingredients or over- or underdosing can also change and influence the effectiveness of the preparation. Allergic reactions are not uncommon when using counterfeit products in the cosmetic sector. In the case of technical equipment or spare parts, missing safety and protective devices must be expected, as well as inferior materials and limited functions. Serious accidents can be the result. Not to be neglected is also the financial risk for the consumer. The confiscation of counterfeit products and possible criminal prosecution can result in considerable damage.

The risk of poor quality

Counterfeits of high-quality branded products may still have their price. Although they are cheaper than the original, the customer still has to dig deep into his pocket for one or the other product. It should be clear to everyone that the price of a product is also influenced by the material used and the processing method, among other things. Therefore, it can also be assumed that counterfeits always fall significantly short of the original product in terms of overall quality. For the consumer, this means that he has to be satisfied with a lower quality. Durability, shapeliness and functionality of fashion or watches and jewelry are usually far less pronounced in counterfeits than in the original product. The financial damage caused to consumers by the purchase of inferior goods cannot be quantified in detail, but it is likely to exceed millions of euros every year, even in Germany.