How to Spot Fake Nike Zoom Sisters
Don't waste your money on fakes, replicas, knockoffs, or imitations. In 2010, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement seized fake goods with a total domestic value of more than $188.1 million. Of the goods seized, 24 percent of those fake goods were shoes, with a domestic value of $45,749,639.It has been reported than an estimated 1 out of every 3 Nike shoes are fakes. Learn how to spot fake Nike Zoom Sisters to avoid unknowingly buying knockoffs from a shady vendor.
Instructions
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Feel the shoes. Authentic Nike Zoom Sisters should be flexible, yet firm and sturdy. Fakes will be flimsy and easy to bend due to the absence of Zoom Air.
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Examine the stitching and fabric. In Nike's 2010 Annual Performance Report, the company stated that they "place considerable emphasis on high quality construction and innovation in products designed for men, women and children." Consumers should not expect to find sloppy stitching or faded fabric on an authentic pair of Nike Zoom Sisters.
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Look at the tag inside of each shoe. The tag is usually white and located on the tongue of the shoe. The tag will contain a SKU, also known as a Stock Keeping Unit. Numbers or a combination of numbers and letters make up the SKU, and each SKU is unique to one particular product. Ask the seller for a photo of the SKU if you are viewing the item from an online auction site or web store. The SKU should not be blurry. If a box is included, the SKU will match the numbers on the box.
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Check the sole of each shoe. Nike Zoom Sisters have a rubber sole, while most fakes are made of plastic. Plastic is shinier than a rubber sole and feels slightly slippery when worn on grass or uncarpeted floors.
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Try the shoes on. Nike Zoom Sisters run small, so always try on half a size up. If they seem too big, then they are most likely fake. Don't just test for size accuracy, though. Pay attention to how the shoes feel on your feet. Nike Zoom Sisters should feel lightweight, with noticeable cushioning in the heel.
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Beware of stock photos if you are bidding on an online auction site. Request photos of the actual item if a seller has factory or stock photos. If the Zoom Sisters are authentic, the seller should have no problem showing you a real picture. Compare the actual photo with the stock photo and look for discrepancies, such as different colors, fabrics, materials or logo placement
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Avoid shoes that do not come with a box. Many fake shoe sellers use plastic wrap instead of a box. If the Nikes do come in a box, it should be made of heavy cardboard and filled with tissue paper.
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Tips & Warnings
Nike recommends that customers only purchase Nike shoes from an authorized Nike retailer to avoid purchasing counterfeit items.
Use caution when bidding on Ebay items from sellers with low feedback or items shipped from foreign countries.
References
- CPB.gov; CBP, ICE Release Report on 2010 Counterfeit Seizures; March 2011
- Intellectual Property Rights; Fiscal Year 2010 Seizure Statistics --- Final Report; January 2011
- The New York Times; Magazine; Inside the Knockoff-Tennis-Shoe Factory; Nicholas Schmidle; August 2010
- Nike Inc; 10-K; Annual Report Pursuant to section 13 and 15(d); July 2010
- TechTerms.com: SKU (Stock Keeping Unit)
- Nikebiz; Frequently Asked Questions; Counterfeit Products
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images
