BUYER BEWARE: Counterfeit Dresses

How many times have you heard the saying, “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is”? When your innate intuition is screaming at you, you always listen, right? Sure, it’s easier said than done when you’re shopping on a budget and looking for a quick, easy deal. We’ve all scoured the Internet looking for the best deal possible but unfortunately, that fact is exactly what makes us so vulnerable to scams and counterfeiters.

Counterfeit dress websites often use photos, dress descriptions, and style numbers copied exactly from the manufacturer's website to trick unsuspecting shoppers into assuming they will receive the same, quality dresses authorized retailers charge twice as much money for.

So, what’s a style-savvy girl like you to do? No one wants to show up to prom wearing a cheaply made copy or – worse case scenario – no dress at all! Before purchasing a prom dress, do your homework. We know, we know – this takes a bit of fun out of the prom dress shopping experience but instead of looking at it as work, think of yourself as a stealth detective. Follow the guidelines below to channel your inner P.I. Detective and ensure that you purchase an authentic Ellie Wilde dress from an authorized retailer:

1. All Dressed Up is an official retailer for every product.

2. Pay attention to the advertised retail price. Authentic gowns and dresses are hand-crafted from high quality fabrics and embellishments. Retail prices should be consistent across all authorized retailers. If you discover a store or website that offers our products at a price substantially lower than others, assume that the dress is a low quality counterfeit dress. Also, be aware of words like “inspired by,” “imitation,” “fake” and “similar to” on the store’s website or advertisement.

3. Challenge the authenticity of the brand name being advertised. Every authentic ADU product will bear a hangtag and inside garment label with the manufacturer's logo. If your dress is missing a tag or label, it may be a fake reproduction. Also check the spelling and font of the brand being represented.

4. Take note of the pictures displayed on the website or advertisement. If the imagery used includes a model with a blurred out or pixelated face, cropped off head or displays any other suspicious photo-changing feature, the website or advertisement may be selling counterfeit dresses.

5. Visit the website’s Contact Us page. A current address in the United States as well as a telephone should be listed, not just an email address. It is also important to double check that the telephone number isn’t being forwarded to China or another foreign country.

Should you ever have any doubt regarding a specific store or website, please report the retailer in question to info@abpia.org. Provide as much information as possible about the store or website including the name, address, telephone number, website address, and email address as well as details about your suspicion and experience with the retailer in question.

Counterfeit, fake or “knock-off” dresses are created and sold with the intent to defraud consumers like you and me. The sale of such goods is illegal in most countries and often shown to utilize child labor as well as fund organized crime and terrorism. Please join ADU in the fight to eliminate such practices by only shopping authorized retailers and reporting fraudulent sellers when found. Do not be another victim – you’re far too important to us!

Learn more Frequently Asked Questions on our FAQ page, HERE.