Shop Smart: Spotting Fake Appliances During Holidays

Ah it’s officially ber months—holiday deals are popping up in malls and speakers are blasting Philippines’ favorite Christmas icons Mariah Carey and Jose Mari Chan! It’s indeed the season of festivity, but before you embrace the holiday fever are you familiar with the Grinch that is fake appliance? “Oh, but that two-door ref looks like a steal”, take it easy or your holiday could end in a disaster. In this article, we’ll discuss the horror that is fake appliances and how you can spot one.

1. Safety Risks: Imagine your typical Noche Buena setting where guests are patiently waiting for the holiday feast, but your “brand-new” air fryer suddenly puts on a fireworks display. Sounds festive—until flames starts spreading like wildfire! Fake appliances do not conform to safety standards and can end in short circuit, putting you and your loved ones in danger.

2. Poor Durability: We’re all fans of deals and discounts especially during the holidays, but that doesn’t mean we have to settle for something cheap. Fake appliances are made from substandard materials and while they’re affordable, these break easily and next thing you know, they’re dead forcing you to spend again after just a few months. 

3. Not-so Energy Friendly: Scoring a huge discount on that fake appliance, sounds like a celebration but don’t cheer yet! Fake appliances are not made with energy efficiency in mind, and they will surely spike up your electric bill in no time. Do you want to spend the remainder of your holiday bonus paying for that insanely high electricity bill?

4. Lack of Warranty: When buying an appliance, the last thing you want to happen is for it to break and realize you have no one to turn to. Original products from legitimate brands offer warranty and support in case your item starts malfunctioning within the covered period. 

Knowing how to spot a fake appliance is like being able to distinguish a fake friend from a genuine one and in this age where scams are rampant, this is an essential skill one must have! Here are some telltale signs that an appliance might be fake or counterfeit.

1. Has Broken or Poor Packaging: The most obvious sign that an appliance is fake is when the packaging is broken or tampered. Misspelled brand name or missing logo, low quality print, and damaged seals are huge red flags when it comes to product packaging. 

2. Serial Number is Missing: Legitimate appliances usually have a unique serial number, which may be found either on the product or in the user manual.

3. Lacks Proper Certification: If the appliance you’re eyeing doesn’t have any safety certifications from the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS) or the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), then you are looking at a counterfeit item. Before buying, make sure the appliance has all the certification to prove its legitimacy and durability.

4. Has Substandard Build Quality: Fake appliances feel lighter, fragile, and cheap when compared to their genuine counterparts. When buying an appliance for the holidays, it is important to check the product's materials, weight, and general finish. Genuine appliances are made to last, but counterfeits often break in just a short span of time.  

Smart shopping is the key to avoid the holiday stress. When looking out for an appliance or even a gadget as Christmas gift, always check the brand or merchant’s reputation. This includes customer reviews and testimonials from customers. You should also consider comparing different brands, not only this assures legitimacy but also gives you an option to find the right appliance for you. 

Trusted names like Shoppingmall.ph offer a wide range of the best and affordable gadgets, appliances, furniture, and more from top local and international brands available with 0% interest via Home Credit installments. Enjoy a convenient, affordable, and secure shopping experience when you visit Shoppingmall.ph, search for a product and choose your preferred store near your city. You can also avail of Appliance Protection when you avail through Home Credit.

The holidays are supposed to be the merriest season of the year, not a time to regret your purchases. When shopping for big-ticket items like appliances, always check first before grabbing the discount. Scoring a great deal means also scoring a durable item that will last for many years.