Too good to be true? SA shoppers warned of counterfeit goods on online shopping sites
South African shoppers face risks of counterfeit goods on online shopping platforms.
Image: File picture
We've all been there - we're browsing our favourite online shopping app, and suddenly we see a branded product at half the usual price.
It seems like the deal of the day. But here’s the catch: what looks like a bargain might actually be a fake.
South African shoppers are increasingly being duped into buying counterfeit goods online, especially when it comes to well-known local brands or luxury products.
And while they may look convincing, these fakes not only mislead consumers but also harm the brands they imitate.
How online marketplaces operate
It’s important for consumers to understand how these online marketplaces operate. Platforms such as Temu, Amazon, and Takealot don’t sell the goods themselves - they serve as digital storefronts for third-party sellers from across the globe.
Where Temu differs is that it offers a more direct route from overseas manufacturers, many of which specialise in knock-offs, straight to the South African buyer.
According to a recent report by MyBroadband, a South African shopper noticed listings on Temu that appeared to offer merchandise from brands at heavily discounted prices.
Fake rugby merchandise available online.
Image: Temu
Curious and cautious, the shopper decided to put Temu to the test by ordering a Blue Bulls mug, a Springboks-branded cap, and a Le Creuset oval spoon rest.
Each of the items was later confirmed to be unauthorised or counterfeit. SA Rugby’s head of communications, Andy Colquhoun, confirmed that the Springboks merchandise was not a licensed product and labelled it an infringement on the brand’s rights.
Temu responded to our query regarding the matter with this comment:
"Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. We conducted an internal review and promptly removed the items in question. We’ve also added these brands to our IP database to help us monitor for future issues.
Temu safeguards thousands of brands through a combination of automated detection and manual review. We welcome rights holders to register their brand assets with us to enhance screening, and to submit takedown requests through our IP protection portal.
We take intellectual property rights seriously. Our policies prohibit infringement, and we enforce them by removing listings, suspending listing privileges, and in some cases, terminating seller accounts.
As a member of the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition (IACC) and its Marketplace Advisory Council, Temu supports broader industry efforts to fight the sale of counterfeit goods online.
Le Creuset South Africa’s CEO, Ben Paine, told My Broadband that the company does not retail any of its products through Temu locally.
While he couldn’t verify the authenticity of the spoon rest from photos alone, he noted some red flags: the product was smaller, lighter, and had printing discrepancies when compared with an authentic Le Creuset piece.
He also said that the South African Police Service recently intercepted fake Le Creuset items during a raid on a freight facility in Durban, a clear indication that counterfeit products are making their way into the country.
IOL Lifestyle