The Bathroom Fixture Market: A Maze of Genuine and Counterfeit Products
The bathroom fixture market today is like a maze, where genuine and fake products are mixed together. Without careful attention, it’s easy to purchase counterfeit items that look similar but are of poor quality, break easily, and lack the expected functionality. Moreover, these fake products are often made from low-quality materials and toxic substances that may affect your health.
Buying genuine bathroom fixtures is a must. To do this, you need to know how to distinguish between real and fake products. Below are several criteria you can use to evaluate and recognize authentic bathroom fixtures:
Check Labels and Packaging
Fake bathroom products usually have poor packaging. Printing on the labels is often faded, unclear, and incomplete. The packaging may also be improperly sealed, with uneven tape, or wrinkled and flimsy boxes.
Fake products often lack warranty documents, or if present, the forms do not match the manufacturer’s standard. Information filled in on fake warranty cards will not be accepted by the official brand. Buying counterfeit goods means losing your right to warranty.
Examine the Product Design and Finish
Some scams involve repacking fake products into real packaging. For example, a counterfeit toilet or faucet is placed inside genuine-looking boxes. That’s why it’s crucial to inspect the actual product carefully.
Common signs of fakes include incorrect logo positioning, misshapen brand logos, or strange extra characters.
- On ceramic products like toilets or sinks, the glazing may appear dull and uneven.
- Fake faucets tend to have a dull chrome finish, and feel very light or flimsy when held.
- Showerheads may look fragile and lack the weight of genuine products.
Some brands allow you to verify authenticity by scanning codes.
- For INAX: Send the code on the security label via SMS to confirm.
- For Viglacera: Scan the QR code with a smartphone to verify.
Check Included Accessories
Genuine bathroom fixtures usually come with standard accessories packed inside the box. Matching accessories often come from the same brand.
Counterfeit products may lack accessories, or include ones that don’t fit properly, making installation more difficult.
Learn from Official Brand Channels
To avoid being tricked, it’s smart to visit the official website of the brand you’re considering. Reputable manufacturers often provide guidelines and warnings about fake products. For example, both INAX and TOTO frequently publish alerts about counterfeits of their products.
Buy from Authorized Dealers Only
If you’re unsure how to distinguish real from fake, the safest option is to purchase from an authorized distributor. Ask for recommendations from friends or family who have experience buying bathroom fixtures.
That is the most reliable and efficient way to ensure you’re getting authentic, high-quality products.
