Keep it legit: how to avoid counterfeit football shirts this holiday season
With the holiday season in full swing and the rush to buy your loved ones the perfect gift, here are our tips to ensure that you stay safe and avoid counterfeit football shirts. The Background It’s no secret that online shopping is the new standard, with over 60% of consumers preferring to buy goods online rather than in-store. This is music to the ears of counterfeiters who make tidy sums during the holiday season. By setting up online shops with seemingly good deals, low stock incentives, and fake reviews, it’s very easy for a scammer to get a hold of your money. Here’s how you can avoid it. If It’s Too Good to Be True, It Is At this point in the season, in December, you won’t find this season’s kit for anything under 80% of the price, and that’s only if the store or club shop is running a discount. If you find this year’s kit for a tempting £15, then it’s definitely a counterfeit. Be wary, scammers are smart – some will price their kits up all the way to the £60 or £70 mark, which increases their margin, but it is still the same counterfeit kit you’d get for £15. The same applies to retro kits, which are all the rage right now. Jump on any number of Chinese sites and you’ll see a classic Barcelona Ronaldinho kit from 2006, or a Zidane 1998 shirt for pennies. If they’re real, you likely won’t find these kits for under £100. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Be Wary of Markets, Avoid Street Sellers It goes without saying that anything being sold on the street in any tourist destination is fake. If you’re in Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Rome, or Paris to name a few – avoid, avoid, avoid. The same can be said of any unofficial shops touting holiday promotions. Would you hang a £100 shirt out in the street for anyone to take? No, official products are always inside the shop and closely watched by store employees. Markets are hit-or-miss. Many collectors and sellers get booths at these markets to sell their wares. If they’ve done their due diligence, then you’ll likely get an authentic product, but if they haven’t… be wary. Always ask if they’re part of the KitLegit ecosystem as we work with many small businesses across the UK, France, Portugal, and Spain to help build trust and authenticate their products. You can check the list of our Certified Partners here, as well as our database of sellers. Stay Safe on Online Marketplaces If you’re bargain hunting on any one of Vinted, eBay, Instagram, Facebook Marketplace, or Depop (to name a few), then be prepared to ask a lot of questions. Going back to our first point, if you find this season’s kit, brand new with tags, for peanuts – it’s fake. Pre-loved goods are harder to tell but the first point of reference is always photos. If the user has listed just the front and the back of the shirt, be sure to email them for more photos of all the labels and details before purchasing. If they refuse, it’s probably counterfeit. If they do send you the photos, then run them through the KitLegit app for security. We need between 3 and 8 photos to give you a result, but be sure to follow all of the instructions when doing your check to ensure complete accuracy. In an ideal world, the seller you’re shipping from is already using KitLegit. They may list a product with a QR code overlay, attach a PDF certificate or a link to their product hosted on KitLegit. Be sure to scan any QR codes and ensure that they are indeed coming from kitlegit.com and not a knock-off site! Shipping times and availability Another great way to tell a counterfeit is through availability. If the shirt is retro or vintage, then it shouldn’t be selling in multiple sizes with personalisation options. This is a great way to detect a counterfeit seller on a marketplace or independent website. Likewise, another easy indicator of authenticity is also the shipping time the seller mentions in the product details. In most cases, a shipping time of 10-14 days means it’s coming from Asia and is likely a fake. This is a favored tactic by dropshippers! Use the KitLegit App The secret tool to stay safe this holiday season and avoid a counterfeit. By running items through KitLegit before you purchase, you ensure that you’re getting the real thing. If you’re shopping in-person, you can simply take photos of the item with your phone. If you’re shopping online and have access to all of the details of the shirt (we need more than front and back), then you can upload the photos into the app to run a check. An alternative way is to ask the seller of the item to run a KitLegit check on their side and provide you with a link to the result. KitLegit checks take under 40 seconds to complete, and if done correctly, are 99% accurate in detecting fake goods between 2000-2025. If you’re shopping for a rare vintage piece before this time, you can submit a manual check for review by our experts in 24 or 72 hours! The Takeaways Common sense is always your greatest ally when shopping for gifts this holiday season. If it’s too good to be true, the seller is suspect, or you have that gut feeling – then you’re probably about to buy a counterfeit. To be extra sure, KitLegit is always available in the App Store and PlayStore to support you when both buying and selling. From the KitLegit team, stay safe and happy holidays!
KitLegit 101: How to spot a fake Nike football shirt
Nike has been a trailblazer in football since its early days, offering quality gear with impressive marketing campaigns and brand recognition. For decades, Nike has been outfitting top football clubs, teams, and players, becoming synonymous with football culture and iconic designs that have become fan favorites, like the Total 90 segment of the early 2000s. So, how do you stay safe and avoid buying a fake Nike football shirt? Check the security tags Nike security tags are found either on the front of a football shirt, or on the inside seam close to the wash labels. Not all teams and seasons have security tags, but the majority of shirts after the year 2000 should have these present. These are a great way to find a fake – look for spelling mistakes and poor quality stitching. Since authentic shirts have completely unique security codes, it is very difficult to determine authenticity from these digits unless you know exactly what to look for. A great tool to check the security codes is the KitLegit app. Check the style code labels Style code labels are found in most modern shirts (post-2000) just under the care label. This usually shows some great information including the season, size, style code and UPC barcode. Googling the style code is a great way to see if the shirt matches other items found on the web, while the other digits on this label are also great ways to see if the information is a match. Many counterfeiters use the same label for many different shirts, often resulting in a mismatch of information. Swing tag details Genuine Nike swing tags will reference the specific team or country, while fakes often use generic terms and may have spelling errors present. There will usually also be a reference to the style code found on the style code label tag as well as the UPC barcode. Be sure to also check that the UPC barcode is legitimate and a sticker, not simply printed on to the cardboard to ‘look legit’. Inspect the care label The care label is typically located inside the shirt, near the waist area. Its primary function is to provide consumers with specific instructions on how to care for their Nike football shirt. However, it also serves as a useful tool for identifying counterfeit products. First, ensure that the country of manufacture is listed on this label, as this is a legal requirement. If you’re particularly savvy, you can verify that this matches the actual country of manufacture for the specific shirt and season. Additionally, examine the label for any spelling errors or inconsistencies. Counterfeiters often overlook these details, making them a significant indicator when trying to spot a fake football shirt. Check the logos, crest and stitching Counterfeit jerseys often reveal themselves through small flaws. Common mistakes include incorrect stitching, typeface issues, and misshapen stripes. For instance, a fake Nike shirt might have incorrect colors or inconsistent patterns, which are clear signs of a counterfeit. Additionally, examine the overall stitching and placement. Check if the crest is correctly positioned and if the stitching appears professional. Also, consider the sizing—does a medium fit like a true medium? While these assessments can be subjective, when combined with the aforementioned indicators, they generally provide a reliable way to determine the authenticity of a football shirt. Look for other red flags When assessing the authenticity of a Nike football shirt, consider factors like price, source, and availability. You generally won’t find the latest season shirt for significantly less than the retail price. If it’s being sold for £12.99, this is a major red flag. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you’re buying a retro shirt, consider whether it’s likely to come brand new with tags. In most cases, this is unlikely. Use KitLegit To be completely sure, try KitLegit – the authentication app for football shirts – designed to digitally detect counterfeits in seconds. Just upload or snap a few photos of your football shirt and the technology will authenticate it for you.
The Four Worst Marketplaces to Buy Genuine Football Shirts
As football enthusiasts, we all cherish the thrill of donning our favorite team’s jersey. But in a world where counterfeit merchandise runs rampant, how can you ensure that the shirt you proudly wear is the real deal? Fear not! We’ve got your back with this complete guide on spotting fake football shirts.
KitLegit 101: How to spot a fake Adidas football shirt
Adidas has been a pioneering force in football since its inception, providing innovative gear and sponsoring major events. The brand made history by supplying the official ball, TELSTAR, for the 1970 FIFA World Cup™, marking the beginning of a long-standing partnership with the tournament. Over the years, adidas has been synonymous with football culture, outfitting legendary players and national teams, and introducing iconic products like the Predator boots, which revolutionized the game since their debut in 1994. So, how do you stay safe when buying an Adidas football shirt. Let’s dive into it. Start with product codes Product codes are a key factor to examine when looking to authenticate your Adidas football shirt. These six-character codes, usually found on the collar tag, should reference the item in question when searched online. Counterfeits typically use incorrect or unrelated product codes, leading to different or random Adidas products. The Adidas product code is usually the 2nd line of the tag, found under the date on the first line. In the example below, the style code is HY3375. Your first step should be to use a search engine to check this product code. However this is not full-proof, as counterfeiters are getting better – even product codes can lie. So what’s your next step? Swing tag details Genuine Adidas tags will reference the specific team or country, while fakes often use generic terms. If the tag reads “ADIDAS JSY” on a team jersey, it’s likely not authentic. There will usually also be a reference to the style code found on the collar tag. A real barcode is also mandatory, if not present – time to get suspicious. This is not always possible if the shirt is used or the swing tags are damaged. Authenticity tags Authenticity tags, which are usually found on the reverse of the Style Code tag on the collar are another great way to authenticate your Adidas football shirt. This is usually in the form of. QR code with numbers present on the top and bottom of the tag. Some fake Adidas Football shirts may lack these tags. The numbers on these tags are usually unique so it is a harder element to confirm, but ensure that at the very least, this is present on your shirt. Inspect the care label The care label is usually found on the inside of the shirt, around the waist area. It’s purpose is to give consumers specific instructions on how to care for your Adidas football shirt. For our purposes, it also doubles as a great way to identify a fake. Double check that the country of manufacture is present on this label (this is required by law), and if you’re really good – that it matches with the actual country of manufacture for this shirt and season. Another great way is to look at the label for any spelling mistakes or inconsistencies. Counterfeiters often cut corners, and this is a big giveaway when trying to detect a fake football shirt. Check the logos, crest and stitching Counterfeits often betray themselves with flawed logos. Common errors include incorrect stitching, typeface issues, and misshapen stripes. For example, a counterfeit soccer jersey might exhibit connected ‘d’s and an oddly shaped stripe, which are clear indicators of a fake. Other places to look is general stitching and placement. Is the crest in the correct place, does the stitching look professional? Also look at the size, does the medium actually fit like a medium? These are subjective analyses but when combined with the above indicators, can generally give you a good idea of what you’re working with. Look for other red flags When assessing an Adidas football shirt’s authenticity, consider other factors like price, source and availability. You generally won’t find the latest season shirt for very much under the asking price, if it’s being sold for £19.99 – this is a key red flag to consider. If it’s too good to be true, it usually is. If you’re buying a retro, is it likely that it would come brand new with tags? Unlikely. Use KitLegit KitLegit is the authentication app for football shirts – designed to digitally detect counterfeits in seconds. Just upload or snap a few photos of your football shirt and the technology will authenticate it for you. Download KitLegit here!
A Comprehensive Guide to Identify Fake Football Shirts
As football enthusiasts, we all cherish the thrill of donning our favorite team’s jersey. But in a world where counterfeit merchandise runs rampant, how can you ensure that the shirt you proudly wear is the real deal? Fear not! We’ve got your back with this complete guide on spotting fake football shirts.
Don’t Be Fooled: 7 Expert Tips for Spotting Counterfeit Sports Gear
Have you ever been lured in by what appeared to be a fantastic deal on your club’s favorite kit, only to realize later that it was a fake? It’s an all-too-common scenario in today’s market. Counterfeiters are continuously honing their craft, making it increasingly challenging to differentiate between the genuine and the counterfeit. Here are seven essential tips to help you steer clear of counterfeit sports gear: 1️⃣ Price Check: If the price seems too good to be true, it likely is. Beware of unusually low prices. 2️⃣ Quality Inspection: Keep an eye out for telltale signs like misspellings, loose threads, or irregular badge placements. Counterfeiters are always cutting corners. 3️⃣ Acetates: Look for specific authenticity indicators, such as acetate peels on labels or unique markings on the main badges. This is a definite fake. 4️⃣ Research: Compare the product you’re eyeing with the original design available online. Any differences can raise red flags. 5️⃣ Post-Purchase Check: Give your gear a wash and keep an eye out for signs of peeling or wear. Counterfeits often show early signs of wear and tear. 6️⃣ Compare style codes and COMs: Dig into style codes and manufacturing countries on Google. Discrepancies in these details can hint at a fake. 7️⃣ Simplify with KitLegit: Utilize technology to your advantage. KitLegit offers a seamless way to authenticate sports gear within seconds! Just scan it and get an instance result. At KitLegit, our mission is to empower consumers to make informed decisions while purchasing sports gear. Our innovative tool is designed to swiftly and accurately authenticate products, offering peace of mind to buyers.