| Ever wonder when you buy a rare Pokemon plush or | | | | or China and see hundreds of fake Pokemon items. |
| stuffed toy on eBay or some other online store if it is | | | | They are everywhere. Everyone knows they are |
| real or if it is a cheap knockoff? I'm sure all of us have | | | | knockoffs and most people who live in these countries |
| at one time or another. Recently counterfeit, bootleg, | | | | don't buy them, but somehow they make their way to |
| fake, or factory rejects have become almost | | | | the buyer who is unaware of where they came from. |
| commonplace on auction sites and some shopping | | | | Before the easiest way to tell that the item was a |
| sites. | | | | bootleg is that it didn't have a tag. Most sellers would |
| How can one avoid buying a fake? | | | | on purpose avoid showing the tag, as the item did not |
| It can be really hard for people to know which toys | | | | have one. But now, the sellers have gotten a little |
| are real and which ones are cheap knockoffs. For | | | | smarter and put tags on them. Although, they are not |
| parents, this can be especially hard because most | | | | always the correct tag. They figure a tag is better |
| parents don't know what an Umbreon or a Pikachu is. | | | | than no tag at all. |
| Here is a few guidelines to follow that should help you | | | | 3. Check the sellers feedback and how many identical |
| when buying a Pokemon plush toy. | | | | items they have for sale |
| 1. If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is. | | | | This can be really a really good idea to follow. Although |
| This is a very good guideline to follow. You will see this | | | | I cant say that this applies to all sellers, its a good idea |
| on auction sites a lot. A nice looking Umbreon stuffed | | | | to check how many identical items the seller is selling, |
| Pokedoll for $3 with 2 minutes to go on the auction. | | | | especially if it is a rare Japanese Pokemon plush toy. If |
| Sound too good and just have to have it? Well, you | | | | the seller has 20 of a rare Pokedoll and selling them |
| probably just got taken and you don't even realize it. If | | | | for half of the price of other sellers, then you should be |
| the Pokemon center in Japan originally sold them for | | | | suspicious. Also, check the sellers feedback. This |
| $10 and the Pokedoll is completely sold out, all the | | | | doesn't just mean see how many negative feedback |
| other sellers are selling them for $50+ and you just | | | | the seller has or what percent are positive. Remember, |
| won it for $3, you should know that something is | | | | most people don't realize when they buy a counterfeit |
| wrong. More than likely you will receive a cheap | | | | toy and will leave positive feedback. I suggest that you |
| knockoff, counterfeit, fake or factory reject plush toy. I | | | | read the negative comments. Look for things like "I |
| have to admit, some of the knockoffs are pretty good | | | | think I bought a knockoff", or "something is not right |
| these days. Sometimes you cant really tell the | | | | with the toy", "its the wrong color", or anything else that |
| difference. But, a lot of times it will have poor stitching, | | | | suggests that someone didn't get the real thing. |
| different fabric, or sometimes missing parts. | | | | Unfortunately there isn't much that can be done to |
| 2. Avoid buying items directly from Hong Kong or | | | | stop the people who are selling the counterfeit |
| China. | | | | Pokemon plush toys. I have tried numerous times to |
| These two countries are not licensed to sell Japanese | | | | contact Nintendo, trade associations, etc. and nobody |
| Pokemon products. It is true that they are made in | | | | seems to be able to do anything. The best way to |
| China, but they are not allowed to be sold in China. If | | | | stop it is to inform everyone. If people don't buy these |
| you read the tag on a Japanese Pokemon plush or | | | | items, then it will put these people out of business for |
| stuffed toy, it says "For sale in Japan only". This is | | | | good. |
| printed on the tag for a reason. Also, it is a known fact | | | | Basically the best advice I can give is that use your |
| that most of the counterfeit or factory rejects | | | | best judgment. If the item seems to cheap than avoid |
| originate from these two countries. If you think about it, | | | | it. If you do buy it, you run the risk of buying a toy that |
| how does a seller outside of Japan buy these toys for | | | | contains lead (as most of the fake bootleg figures do) |
| normal price, then sell them for less than they cost by | | | | or harmful chemicals in the fabric dye which is |
| the hundreds. The answer is simple. Some of the | | | | hazardous to your health. Plus you are supporting |
| factories where they are produced make too many or | | | | sweatshops that force children to work long hours |
| have some rejects that don't measure up to standards | | | | with little pay. You are thinking you are getting a good |
| and are discarded. These are in turn bought for next | | | | deal and nobody is getting hurt, but look at the bigger |
| to nothing and sold on internet sites as legitimate | | | | picture and you will see that there is more too it than |
| products. I have lived in Asia for 13 years and I have | | | | you getting a cheap price. In the end I believe you will |
| been to these countries several times. Its unbelievable | | | | be happier if you buy a nice quality product that will last |
| how big of a problem its become. You can go to any | | | | a long time. |
| of the famous areas in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, | | | | |