19 Tips That Can Help You Spot a Fake Item

In 2013, counterfeit goods worldwide accounted for $461 billion. Nike is the most counterfeited brand globally, and Ray-Ban, Rolex, Supreme, and Louis Vuitton are the most copied brands worldwide. And while some copies look almost identical to the originals, there are slight differences we think you should know about.

At Bright Side, we want you to know how to recognize a fake product and the differences between originals and counterfeits in some of the most popular brands.

1. Nike shoes

\Nike Air sneakers have a texture that counterfeit manufacturers cannot imitate. This is because their materials are different, and so are their devices. Thus, in authentic Nike shoes, you will notice a hardness in the leather that will be missing in the counterfeit ones.

You will also need to examine the symmetry of the sneakers. If something looks asymmetrical, then it may be a counterfeit product.

2. Ray-Bans

• Authentic Ray-Ban lenses with plastic frames are made in one whole piece. If it’s a metal frame, then the central part must look neat and can have small details but no protruding points.
• Most often, the lenses are made of real glass, but some can be made of plastic. To know if yours is one of them, go to the manufacturer’s official website.
• In the upper right corner of the right lens, you can find the inscription of the Ray-Ban logo. It is engraved on the surface of the lens, so it is impossible to erase it.
• On the outside of the temples, there should also be an inscription detailing the manufacturer. In addition, the item’s serial number is usually on the left side and the country of manufacture on the right side.

3. Fila shoes

• If you look at the letter “F” on your Fila shoes, you will notice that there is some irregularity in the stitching. This is perfectly normal on all original Fila shoes. What is not normal is for the letter “F” to be really sharp on the top two edges. On the fake shoes, these edges almost touch the square surrounding the logo, which should not be the case.
• Next, look at the details of the toe cap, especially the holes in the front. There should be the same distance between each hole, but if not, you probably bought a fake pair of sneakers.
• In addition, the heel logo may be completely different. On the original sneakers, that logo is the same as the one on the tongue.

4. Burberry scarf

• The authentic scarf always has well-defined lines and a dense texture.
• The fringe yarns in a scarf should be well rolled and spaced apart, they do not fall apart when touched.
• The brand name on the label attached to the article must be written in capital letters. Also, the label must contain information about the country of manufacture and the composition of the scarf.

5. Gucci handbags

• First, you should examine the two “G’s” on the front of your bag. The serifs of the G’s should be long and sleek looking and not thick. Also, the rounded part of the G should be a perfect oval and not pointed. If the logo looks blurry, it is probably fake.
• Look closely at the stitching, as a genuine Gucci bag will have even stitching. If the stitching on your bag looks uneven in places or is a different color than the bag itself, then you should assume it is a counterfeit.

6. Supreme sweatshirt

• On the collar of this brand’s hooded and non-hooded sweatshirts, there are two dark red labels. On the first, larger, is written the name of the brand with the letter R in a circle. On the second, you’ll find the country of manufacture: Canada. There should be a recommendation not to iron the item on the inner label, where you can find the care instructions. Manufacturers of replicas often forget this detail.
• On sweatshirts with embroidered logos, the location of the letters on the red part should be uniform, and the distance between the two should be adequate. If you turn the authentic sweatshirt inside out, you will see a fine mesh of white threads on the back of the logo.
• Supreme complements the hoods of its sweatshirts only with flat laces, which are carefully tied at the ends. Round laces, burned at the ends, or laces with different types of terminations are a sign of counterfeiting.

7. Adidas Yeezy tennis shoes

• First, you have to check the wave pattern on the original Yeezy, which should be sideways with irregular wave prints.
• Next, you can check the tongue of the sneakers. The original Yeezy’s tongues are more curved, while the fake ones look much straighter.
• Check the inside of the shoes and see if the Adidas icon is the same size on each shoe. On some occasions, you may notice that their size differs.
• The stitching on the inside should also be checked, as it may look suspiciously amateurish.

8. New Balance sneakers

• New Balance sneakers have brand symbols on the back, tongue, the side of the sneaker, and the side of the sole, on the sole itself, and the insoles. The logo in the shape of the letter N on the side of the sneaker is made in the form of a patch.
• The original slippers have a soft sole, made of foam material, easily compresses and quickly returns to their original state. The sole protector is made of rubber. The insoles of authentic New Balance shoes have a perforation, logo, size, and information about the model.

9. Toms espadrilles

• The first thing to check is the insoles of your espadrilles. If they can be removed, your footwear is likely fake, as the original insoles are sewn to the bottom.
• Next, you can check the back of the espadrille to look at the logo. The letters of the original brand are perfectly balanced and square. However, the letters of the fake brand are pointed and unbalanced (note the odd shape of the letter “O”). Also, the stitching around the label appears thicker on the fake ones.
• You can also check the sides of the shoes to see if any glue is discernible. A reputable brand would never allow something like this, but a copy would probably have glue all over it.

10. Michael Kors Handbag

• For its bags, the brand uses only cream-colored labels containing the primary information about the product: serial number, shade, material, parameters, the price in USD, and a unique bar code.
• All parts of the original bags are engraved with the brand name. It is applied to magnetic clips, handle rings, clasps, carabiners, and fasteners.
• The brand’s authentic bags are made from a dense material that does not deform even during shipping when the item is packed.

11. Guess handbags

• First of all, fake Guess handbags are not made of leather but are cheaper synthetic material. You can check this by pressing the fabric with your finger. If the wrinkles stay there and do not disappear, it is not genuine leather.
• Next, you need to check the lining of the bag. Original Guess bags have an apparent soft lining, while fake ones sometimes have no lining. And if they do, it is very thin, like a sheet of paper.
• Finally, you can check the metal of the bag. The metal applications of a genuine Guess bag are sturdy and shiny, with a smooth surface. Counterfeiters, on the other hand, use a cheaper material that may appear dull and even have surface marks.

12. Guess watches

• Straps for Guess watches are made of metal, silicone, or natural leather. A lousy product smell, uneven color, cracks, scratches, and wear on the strap indicate that we are dealing with an imitation.
• The back should contain basic information about the watch: a logo with the brand name, the material of the watch body (as a rule, it is steel), and data about the watch mechanism with the engraving Japan Movt (as Guess uses only high-quality Japanese mechanisms).

13. Hermès handbags

• First, check the inside printing of the leather and see how the letters have been printed. The French accent of the letter E should be very elegant and not chopped up, as in the fakes. Also, the letters F and R in the word “France” appear to be glued together, something that would never happen on a genuine Hermès bag.
• Next, you can check the leather strap of the bag and inspect the stitching. On a genuine bag, the stitching looks much more elegant and flawless. In contrast, the stitching on the fake bag is not as elegant and, in some areas, looks thicker than that of the original bag.

14. Lacoste polo

• The Lacoste crocodile is always made with clearly defined details. Its eyes, teeth, legs, and red mouth are clearly visible. The crocodile’s body is bright green, and the tail runs parallel to the back.
• At the base of the polo neck, there is a white label with the logo and a red number indicating the size. In men’s models, it is one number, while in women’s models, it is two.
• An imitation Lacoste polo shirt can be spotted because of a small detail: its buttons. Original Lacoste garments have mother-of-pearl buttons with two holes. They have no inscriptions. Replica manufacturers often forget that, so they use buttons with four holes.
• In the men’s models, at the bottom, on the sides of the polo shirt, there are small openings approximately 1/2 inches deep. In women’s versions, the manufacturer does not make any cuts.

15. Balenciaga shoes

• Balenciaga sneakers have a very recognizable protrusion on the heels. This feature is often missing in counterfeits, as their structure is much weaker.
• Not only that, but the front of the shoe has a much more prominent curve than the originals.
• Also, if you check the back of the shoe, you will notice that the brand name is not well centered. Also, not all the letters are the same size and height, and some appear more significant than others.

16. Pandora bracelet

• The color of the original silver bracelet is a bit dull, not very light or bright. In manufacturing, Pandora uses a blackening technique that gives them this unique tone.
• The new original bracelet keeps its perfect shape and virtually no bending, showing well-defined edges of its striated silver cord.
• The size of the clasp on the original Pandora bracelets is comparable to that of the charms. On the front of the clasp, you can see the engraving of the brand: the word Pandora with a crown above the letter “o.”
• There is a brand-specific fastening in the clasp: a clover in the form of a small screw with four heads that serves to fasten the bracelet securely. In addition, the clasp must bear the quality seal of the metal (indicating its purity) with a mark of origin, the initials ALE.
• Pandora charms have an inscription with the name of the brand and the acronym of the metal they are made of. Since 2011, S means silver, and G is gold. Murano glass charms are free of cracks, broken parts, and air bubbles inside.

17. Levi’s

• The arched design on the back pockets of Levi’s jeans might be the brand’s most recognizable feature. It is either a simple bow or a diamond-shaped arch in the center of the pocket. This feature is often copied remarkably incorrectly on counterfeit jeans.
• In addition, the color of the stitching is traditionally orange on original jeans, while many fakes use white thread.
• The third sign of a fake pair of Levi’s jeans is the red tag on the back pocket. An original pair has “Levi’s” written on the red label, while a fake pair has a plain red tag with the letter “R.”

18. Timberland boots

• The sole has a caramel color, but if you look at it closely, it seems slightly transparent. The company logo and the brand name are printed on them, and the sole is uniform. The heel part does not protrude, but forms a continuous line.
• The logo is located on the outside, at the bottom of the boot above the heel. Its print is uniform and well-defined, located strictly vertically.
• The eyelets on the boots are perfect hexagons, which are ideally rounded on the outside. In men’s models, there are 7, in women’s models, 6.
• All seams on the boots are made with white thread. If there are several seams close, they are clearly parallel to each other.

19. Nike t-shirts

• The first thing to examine is the Nike logo. In most cases, it does not have exactly the same proportions as the original. Its angle and inclination may be different.
• Next, the label inside the T-shirt should be checked for misspellings. The original brand would never misspell words, but counterfeit products may have one or more errors.
• You will also need to look at the labels inside the shirt, near the bottom. Nike’s usually have two or more labels sewn in, while the fake ones usually have only one.

Have you ever unknowingly bought a counterfeit product? How did you recognize that it was not a genuine brand? Could you tell the difference, or did you have to ask an expert?

Entitled Homeowners Refused to Pay My Plumber Dad – They Thought They Were the Smartest, but He Had the Last Laugh

When an entitled couple refused to pay my Dad, a hardworking plumber, they thought they were clever. Little did they know their smugness would backfire, leaving them with a bathroom crawling with regret. Here’s how my Dad flushed their entitlement down the drain.

Hey there, folks! Phoebe here, but you can call me Pippi — that’s what my Dad does. Speaking of which, let me introduce you to Pete: 55 years old, ruggedly handsome with a white beard and hands like a roadmap of hard work. He’s your friendly neighborhood plumber and my superhero without the cape.

Close-up of an older man smiling | Source: Midjourney

Dad’s the kind of guy who treats every job like it’s his own home, redoing entire bathrooms if a single tile is off. But some folks see that dedication and think they can take advantage. That’s exactly what a pair of entitled homeowners tried to do.

Oh, but they had no idea who they were messing with.

It all started a few months back when I swung by Dad’s place. I found him on the patio, puffing away on his cigar and laughing like he’d just heard the world’s funniest joke.

A plumber installing pipe fittings | Source: Pexels

“What’s got you in such a good mood, old man?” I asked, plopping down next to him.

Dad’s eyes twinkled as he said, “Oh, Pippi, you’re not gonna believe what just happened. It’s a doozy!”

Dad leaned in, still chuckling. “Remember that bathroom remodel I was working on? Well, let me tell you about the Carlyles, or as I like to call ’em, the Pinchpennies.”

I settled in, knowing this was gonna be good. Dad’s stories always were.

A bathroom interior | Source: Unsplash

“These folks, they wanted the works. New tiles, fancy fixtures, you name it. They picked out every little detail themselves… even down to where they wanted the toilet paper holder.”

“Sounds like a dream job,” I said.

Dad snorted. “Oh, it started that way alright. But then…”

His face darkened, and I knew we were getting to the good part. “What happened, Dad?” I asked.

An older man fixing a faucet in the bathroom | Source: Midjourney

“Well, Pippi, on the last day, just as I’m to start the grouting, they’re sitting on this couch, ready to pull a real fast one on me.”

Dad’s voice took on a mocking tone as he imitated Mrs. Carlyle. “‘Oh, Pete, this isn’t what we wanted at all! These tiles are all wrong!’”

I gasped. “But didn’t they pick everything out themselves?”

“Exactly!” Dad exclaimed, throwing his hands up. “And get this — they had the nerve to tell me they were only gonna pay half of what they owed me. HALF!”

An older couple sitting on the couch | Source: Pexels

My jaw dropped. “HALF?? After two weeks of busting your hump to get their dream bathroom done. No way! What did you do?”

Dad’s eyes glinted mischievously. “Well, I tried to reason with ’em at first. But they weren’t having any of it. Mr. Carlyle, he gets all puffed up and says, ‘Just finish the job and GET LOST, Pete. We’re not paying a penny more.’”

I could feel my blood boiling. “That’s not fair! You worked so hard!”

A shocked young woman holding her face | Source: Pexels

Dad patted my hand. “Now, now, Pippi. Don’t you worry! Your old man had a trick up his sleeve.”

“What did you do?” I leaned in, eager to hear more.

Dad’s grin widened. “Oh, I finished the job alright. But instead of using water for the grout…”

“…I mixed it with sugar and honey,” Dad finished, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

I blinked, trying to process what I’d just heard. “Sugar and honey? In the grout? But why?”

A bottle of honey near a small mound of powdered tile grout | Source: Midjourney

Dad leaned back, taking a long drag on his cigar. “Just you wait and see, Pippi. Just you wait and see.”

He went on to explain how he’d packed up his tools, pocketed half the pay, and left with a smile, knowing full well what was coming next.

“But Dad,” I interrupted, “wouldn’t they notice something was off with the grout?”

A smiling older man holding a toolbox | Source: Midjourney

He shook his head, chuckling. “Nah, not right away. It looked just fine when it dried. But a few weeks later…”

I leaned in, hanging on his every word. “What happened a few weeks later?”

Dad’s grin widened. “That’s when the real fun began.”

“Picture this,” Dad said, gesturing with his cigar. “The Pinchpennies are sitting pretty, thinking they’ve pulled a fast one on old Pete. Then one day, Mrs. Carlyle goes to take a shower, and what does she see?”

Smiling older couple holding ceramic mugs | Source: Pexels

I shrugged, totally engrossed in the story.

“Ants!” Dad exclaimed. “Dozens of ’em, marching along the grout lines like it’s their own personal highway!”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “No way!”

“Oh, it gets better,” Dad continued. “Next day, it’s cockroaches. Then every creepy-crawly within spittin’ distance shows up for the party.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “That’s crazy! But how do you know all this?”

Close-up of an army of ants on a bathroom floor | Source: Midjourney

Dad winked. “Remember Johnny? My old pal? He’s their next-door neighbor and has been keeping me updated.”

“And the Carlyles?” I asked. “What did they do?”

Dad’s eyes sparkled with glee. “Oh, Pippi, they tried everything. Spent a fortune on pest control, but nothing worked. You wanna know the best part?”

I nodded eagerly.

A pest controller outside a house | Source: Pexels

“They blamed the pest control sprays for ruining the grout! Can you believe it?” Dad burst into laughter.

As Dad’s laughter died down, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for the Carlyles. “But Dad, don’t you think that was a bit… harsh?”

Dad’s expression softened. “Pippi, you gotta understand. These people tried to cheat me out of my hard-earned money. Two weeks of backbreaking work, and they wanted to pay me half?”

I nodded slowly. “I get it, but still…”

Close-up of a stunned woman | Source: Pexels

“Look,” Dad said, leaning forward. “In this line of work, your reputation is everything. If word got out that I let clients walk all over me, I’d be out of business faster than you can say ‘leaky faucet.’”

I had to admit, he had a point. “So what happened next?”

Dad grinned. “Well, according to Johnny, they ended up redoing the whole bathroom about a year later.”

My eyes widened. “Did that solve the problem?”

A man working on a renovation project | Source: Freepik

Dad shook his head, chuckling. “Nope. The sugar residue was still there, lurking beneath the surface. The bugs just kept on coming back.”

“And the Carlyles?” I asked. “Did they ever figure it out?”

Dad’s eyes twinkled. “Not a clue. Last I heard, they were planning to redo the entire bathroom… again.”

I sat back, taking it all in. “Wow, Dad. That’s… something else. But didn’t you feel bad at all?”

Construction worker laying ceramic tiles | Source: Freepik

Dad sighed, his expression turning serious. “Pippi, let me tell you something. In all my years of plumbing, I’ve never done anything like this before. And I hope I never have to again. But these Carlyles, they weren’t just trying to cheat me. They were insulting my work, my pride.”

I nodded, understanding dawning. “They thought they could walk all over you.”

“Exactly,” Dad said, pointing his cigar at me. “And in this business, word gets around. If I let them get away with it, who knows how many other folks might try the same thing?”

Side view of an older man looking up | Source: Midjourney

“I guess I see your point,” I admitted. “But still, bugs in the bathroom? That’s pretty gross, Dad.”

He chuckled. “Well, I never said it was a pretty revenge. But it was effective.”

“So, what happened after that?” I asked, curious. “Did you ever hear from them again?”

Dad shook his head. “Nope. But Johnny keeps me updated. You should hear some of the stories he’s told me.”

“Like what?” I leaned in, eager for more.

Ants near a bathtub | Source: Midjourney

Dad’s eyes twinkled with mischief.

“Well, there was this one time Mrs. Carlyle was hosting a fancy dinner party. Johnny said he could hear her screaming all the way from his house when she found a cockroach in the guest bathroom!”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh man, that must’ve been embarrassing!”

Close-up of a cockroach on a bathroom sink | Source: Midjourney

“You bet it was,” Dad chuckled. “And then there was the time Mr. Carlyle tried to fix the problem himself. Bought every bug spray in the store and went to town on that bathroom.”

“Did it work?” I asked, already guessing the answer.

Dad shook his head, grinning. “Nope. Just made the whole house smell like a chemical factory for weeks. And the bugs? They came right back as soon as the smell faded.”

Close-up of gloved hand holding disinfecting solution | Source: Freepik

I shook my head in disbelief. “Unbelievable. How long has this been going on?”

“Oh, must be going on over a year now,” Dad said, puffing on his cigar. “Johnny says they’re at their wits’ end. Talking about selling the house and moving.”

I whistled low. “Wow, Dad. That’s some long-lasting revenge.”

Side view of a cottage with a beautiful garden | Source: Unsplash

He nodded, a hint of remorse in his eyes. “Maybe it went on a bit longer than I intended. But you know what they say about karma.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “It’s a real… well, you know.”

We shared a hearty laugh at that.

Close-up side view of an older man with his eyes downcast | Source: Midjourney

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the patio, I sat back, processing everything Dad had told me.

“You know, Dad,” I said slowly, “I gotta admit, that’s pretty genius. Diabolical, but genius.”

Dad nodded, a satisfied smile on his face. “Sometimes, Pippi, you gotta teach people a lesson they won’t forget.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Well, I bet the Carlyles won’t be trying to stiff anyone on their bill anytime soon.”

Close-up grayscale shot of a smiling woman | Source: Pexels

“You got that right,” Dad chuckled. “And every time Johnny gives me an update, I get a good laugh out of it.”

We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, watching the sky turn pink and orange.

“Hey, Dad?” I said finally.

“Yeah, Pippi?”

“Promise me one thing?”

He raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

Side view of an older man smiling | Source: Midjourney

I grinned. “If I ever need my bathroom redone, I’m paying you in full upfront.”

Dad burst out laughing, pulling me into a big bear hug. “That’s my girl!”

As we sat there, laughing and watching the sunset, I couldn’t help but think about the Carlyles and their bug-infested bathroom. It was a reminder that sometimes, karma comes with six legs and a sweet tooth.

An older man laughing | Source: Midjourney

Here’s another story: When a couple turned Toby’s 14-hour flight into a nightmare, he taught them an unforgettable lesson in airplane etiquette.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.