T-shirts, hats, key chains, plush toys and anything else you can stamp a logo on will be hot Olympics’ souvenirs and collectibles, but the Better Business Bureau warns consumers to be aware of fakes that may end up flooding the marketplace before and during the Games.
There are more than 1,700 Olympics’ collectible items currently on eBay Canada and Craigslist for sale with numbers sure to balloon as the Games approach. Consumers need to be vigilant when buying Olympics’ items to ensure they are not purchasing fakes, or illegal counterfeit merchandise.
For fans looking to purchase Olympic items, the BBB offers the following advice:
Get educated. Collectors should research the value of Olympics-related items before they begin purchasing memorabilia, especially if they are interested in purchasing pieces that have the potential for substantial appreciation in value.
Confirm authenticity. When purchasing Vancouver 2010 merchandise, VANOC encourages consumers to look for the unique hologram that's affixed to each item, a symbol of the product's authenticity. These holograms feature Vancouver 2010 emblems and several layers of security and have been designed to prevent unauthorized copying, protect consumers and assist customs officers.
Make purchases with a credit card. Consumers should always purchase items with a credit card if they are shopping online. If the seller turns out to be fraudulent, then the consumer can dispute the charge with the credit card company and may be eligible for reimbursement.
Purchase items from authorized sources and reputable sellers. When shopping online stores, collectors can go directly to the VANOC Web site (vancouver2010.com/store): or in-person, they can go to the following retailers:
· The Olympic Superstore at The Bay Downtown Vancouver
· The Olympic Store at vancouver2010.com
· The Olympic Store in Whistler Village
· Olympic stores and kiosks at Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
· Hudson’s Bay Company stores across Canada
When purchasing items from an individual on eBay, research the seller’s track record by reading buyer reviews. When shopping on Craigslist, go local and never wire money as payment.
Don’t be fooled by empty advertising claims. Just because the seller claims that the item is of limited edition, it doesn’t mean that there weren’t millions made. If the item is being widely advertised, chances are, it’s too common to actually gain much value over the years.
Start With Trust. For more consumer tips and information, visit www.wynco.bbb.org or call 970-4841348 or 800-564-0371.
About the BBB
The Better Business Bureau, founded in 1912, is a champion for ethics and trust in the marketplace. Only businesses that meet the high BBB standards are invited to become BBB Accredited Businesses. Today, 128 BBBs across the United States and Canada rate more than 3 million local and national businesses and charities with scores ranging from A to F. Only a BBB Accredited Business may elect to participate in BBBOnLine, one of the most trusted and recognized Internet seal programs in the world.
The BBB serving northern Colorado and Wyoming reported nearly 1 million instances of service to consumers and businesses in 2009. These services include reliability reports on local companies and charities, access to companies that can be trusted by industry, help with dispute resolution, and trustworthy information on consumer and business topics.
Barbara Read, VP Communications Director, 970-488-2035, bread@wynco.bbb.org