| Since the 1980's, criminals have been selling fraudulent | | | | your research. Don't settle with finding the item in one |
| high performance car accessories at a cheaper price. | | | | place. Shop around to see what the average price is |
| The dangers go beyond loss of revenue to the | | | | for the accessory and make an educated decision |
| automotive industry. The lower price may save a few | | | | based on what you've observed.. |
| bucks in your pocketbook in an automotive world | | | | Take a look at the package. At first glance, the |
| where gas prices are ballooning out of control. It's | | | | package may look legitimate but closer inspection may |
| understandable but dwell on this: most of these | | | | reveal some flaws that could be signs of the part |
| discount car accessories and parts sacrifice quality | | | | being fraudulent. |
| and safety with more inexpensive and less strong | | | | Visit trusted stores or well-recommended shops. Stick |
| materials. | | | | to places you or someone you know trusts. This |
| Sometimes what you see is not what you get. On the | | | | doesn't insinuate that every small shop is deliberately |
| surface, an article might look like the real deal, but it | | | | being crooked by selling you discount car accessories; |
| turns out to be nothing but smoke and mirrors. Several | | | | sometimes they are fooled just as much as you can |
| years ago, CBS Evening News featured a report | | | | be. Going to distributors you've had good service with |
| about counterfeit aftermarket automotive accessories. | | | | reduces risk as distributors often buy from the same |
| Brake pads that contained compressed grass or | | | | manufacturer that has never steered them wrong. |
| wood chips instead of the usual material were sold to | | | | Contact the manufacturer directly. If you're still unsure, |
| consumers. Brakes are one part that you don't want | | | | the manufacturer can often verify if the performance |
| to mess with, and having faulty brake pad material | | | | car accessory is real. Most major companies have |
| could be costly in more ways than one. To be on the | | | | anti-fraudulent protocols to prove the authenticity of an |
| safe side with performance car accessories, you | | | | accessory. Sometimes this is as simple as a code |
| might do better to pay the extra money and go with a | | | | engraved on the part. |
| brand name you can trust. | | | | Cutting corners by purchasing cheap aftermarket |
| How can the average consumer protect against | | | | automotive accessories to save a few dollars isn't |
| aftermarket automotive accessories fraud? Here are | | | | worth risking your life. If you feel that you have been a |
| some tips: | | | | victim of a fraud, report the crime immediately. Many |
| If the price is too good to be true, it probably is. Seeing | | | | manufacturers have toll-free numbers or websites you |
| a popular brand of an auto body kit you've been | | | | can visit to file a report. Protect yourself and those |
| eyeing for half price may not be for real. Many | | | | around you, shop smart, and learn how to recognize |
| counterfeiters have started to counter this tact by | | | | counterfeit performance car accessories. |
| lowering the price just enough to avoid suspicion. Do | | | | |