Clark Howard's Tips

October 1, 2007

People generally know that if you shop online marketplaces you run the risk of buying counterfeit goods -- especially if you're shopping for designer clothes. But there's been a lot of counterfeiting going on in the high-end electronics world.

Clark believes Amazon is actually damaging its good name with its Amazon Marketplace, which features independent sellers who you must contact directly to resolve any issues.

David Colker, a Los Angeles Times staff writer, recently went to the Amazon Marketplace to buy expensive headphones. When he got the goods, they looked like the real thing. The only problem was the terrible sound quality. Colker eventually determined he'd bought a knockoff. So Clark wants to warn his listeners about fakes infiltrating the high-end electronics market.

With electronics, the discounts are not so huge that you'd automatically know what you're buying is counterfeit. Clark's advice is to stick to established retailers whether you're buying online or in-person and always pay attention to the return policy.

Sam's Club has a policy of unlimited right to return electronics -- there's no time limit or expiration date ever.

This latest headphone episode reminds Clark of the time when Tiffany & Co. bought a lot of its goods on eBay to verify if they were real. It turned out that every last item advertised as the genuine thing turned out to be a fake.

Consumer advice courtesy of