Go to the streets of just about any major city in the world, and you can see blankets, booths and car trunks filled with purses, watches, sunglasses, jewelry and other items that are at least similar to high-priced designer brands. Of course, anyone can look at those and know that they're nothing more than designer knock-offs.
Granted, you're probably pretty sure that if you're buying a "Swiss Army" watch off of somebody's blanket on the sidewalk, you're not getting the real thing. But what about avoiding knock-offs in market or online? You may think you're getting a great deal on a Swiss Army product, when in reality you're spending more money than you should on something that's going to fall apart in a matter of months.
One of the reasons that designer brands are so favorite and so high-priced is because of their quality. Population have come to trust those brands to make dependable products, so they have to be able to back up that trust with products of the top quality. Chances are that if you're finding for a Swiss Army product, whether it's a knife or a watch, you want it not just for the name or the prestige, but for the ability that that name implies.
Here are just a integrate of ways to check and make sure that you're not getting ripped off.
Check the blade
You may think that if you're buying a red pocketknife with the white Swiss cross on it, you are buying a genuine Swiss Army knife. Unfortunately, that's not necessarily the case. Although there is a law on the Swiss books that prohibits the use of the Swiss cross on items that are not more than 50 percent manufactured in Switzerland, it's widely ignored. That means even if your product is marked with the Swiss cross, it may not be authentic.
The only true Swiss Army Knives are manufactured by Victorinox and Wenger, and they will label the blade of the knife. If your knife doesn't say Victorinox or Wenger on the blade, then you've most likely picked up a knock-off.
Find a registered dealer
Wherever you're buying your Swiss Army product should be a registered Swiss Army dealer. That way, you'll know you're getting the real thing. One of the easiest ways to find where authentic Swiss Army products are sold is to visit SwissArmy.com. Their "Where to Buy" selection will show you the closest retailers to you, as well as online retailers, like KimberleyCo.com, where you can shop safely.
Trouble with fakes
Some Population may reconsider spending the money on a brand name to be a waste. That's not necessarily the case. If you buy a fake, then chances are good you'll run into issue when you need to get it repaired. Plus, genuine Swiss Army products come with a lifetime warranty that guarantees "against any defects in material and workmanship." Warranties and repairs help you ensure that your buy will be nearby for years to come. With fakes, you won't get that same safety net.
Don't take to the streets or to eBay in search of a "deal." Most knock-offs are inexpensive because they'll fall apart on you, whereas a real Swiss Army product will stick nearby for years to come. Take the time to find the genuine article, and you won't be suffering from any buyer's remorse later.
