| The growth of the counterfeits parts industry is | | | | especially if the element inside looks cheap or |
| causing problems for motorists, suppliers, | | | | broken, or if too much plastic was used in the |
| manufacturers, and governments from around | | | | development of the casing. |
| the world. Just how bad is the problem? For | | | | Know your supplier. Purchasing your parts from a |
| starters, the manufacturing and distribution of | | | | reliable supplier isn't a 100% guarantee that the |
| counterfeit car parts is a multi billion dollar per | | | | parts received are genuine. Still, if they back up |
| year business. Car owners from the Kia to the | | | | what they sell with a guarantee you won't get |
| Camaro and from the Geo to the Golf, and every | | | | stuck should a counterfeit part get passed |
| make and model in between are all susceptible to | | | | through them to and on to you. |
| getting hooked with fake parts. This doesn't have | | | | Buy OEM or better. Only purchase parts that |
| to happen and I am going to share with you how | | | | meet or exceed stringent original manufacturer |
| you can avoid being deceived by purveyors of | | | | requirements. Prices 70, 80, or 90% lower than |
| bogus car parts. | | | | retail rates should raise a warning flag. Stick with |
| Read the labels. Fake parts purveyors are getting | | | | the name brands; there is a reason why products |
| very crafty in copying logos and other important | | | | from Bosch, Covercraft, Denso, Flowmaster, |
| information off of product boxes. Check for | | | | Injen, K&N, and others sell so well: they are |
| typographical errors or odd sounding language on | | | | trusted names associated with well known brands. |
| the boxes. Most counterfeiters are smart when it | | | | Avoid generic or no name brands. |
| comes to crime, but pretty dumb when it comes | | | | If you think that you have been sold bogus parts, |
| to understanding the proper use of English terms, | | | | inform the local police as well as the parts supplier |
| grammar, and spelling. For example, brand names | | | | of the problem. If you buy from an overseas |
| spelled wrong such as Monrow for Monroe. One | | | | company, the chances of you receiving a refund |
| more point: packaging may be "correct" but sized | | | | from them are slim. When purchasing online only |
| wrong; be suspicious of any part sold to you in a | | | | purchase through those retailers who have an |
| package that isn't sized according to the product | | | | established track record and are reachable |
| it holds. | | | | through a toll free number. You may save money |
| Check the part. If the texture of a part seems | | | | in the short run with bogus parts, but you will lose |
| odd, it could be a fake. For example, that Hella | | | | in the long run with Volkswagen or other parts |
| headlight may not be what it appears to be | | | | that are defective or even dangerous. |