Wolff's Flea Market Blog

By Sharon Wolff MISSPELLINGS DEFINITION :  Odd word substitutions, incorrect spelling and grammatical mistakes that appear on counterfeit labels, packaging and products. Includes: improper use of capital letters, punctuation and other outlandish or subtle mistakes.  Misspellings on licensed, trademarked products are immediate indicators of counterfeiting. In fact, if you see misspellings, just call it a day and look no further into your own Research Zone. Legitimate companies pay label makers mega bucks to get it right! How does this occur? English is not the native language or priority of counterfeit label makers. Syntax and meaning get turned around and lost when non-English fluent individuals attempt to navigate between languages in order to copy or translate printed material. Counterfeiters are also not familiar with the English alphabet, and when copying print from an authentic product may not know the difference between the letter "O" and the number zero ...

By Sharon Wolff COUNTER-FIGHTERS DICTIONARY A GUY (Alias: Buddy of Mine) Definition : The individual who sells you (the unsuspecting or uneducated vendor) a quantity of questionable, often counterfeit merchandise. His prices are too good to be true. You may recognize him from the local flea market community or he may be a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend... While we believe in the goodness of mankind, Wolff's Research Zone has concluded that A Guy is often a nameless, faceless, mysterious, intangible, sly and oddly wicked fellow. Not all Guys are bad. Some may sell you legitimate product, but be careful. The bad Guy has acquired a quantity of "too good to be true" merchandise and sells it to you for quick cash. He may realize he can't sell it himself, so he pawns it off on you. Then he disappears. He gives you no phone number for follow-up. But-we've got his number... Commonly seen items include brand name clothing, licensed sports apparel...

By Sharon Wolff, Creative Media & Merchandise Consultant, A Work in Progress Let's start a "Counter-Fighter's Dictionary"! In our ongoing quest to keep counterfeit products out of the Wolff's Flea Market bubble, we offer vendors a few tips. You can always call us with your questions at 847-524-9590 and we can try to assist you. This information is in no way complete and should not be taken as legal advice, or even as the final word. Research is ongoing. Ultimately, you will need to decide for yourself if a merchandise source is appropriate.  Give the plethora of overstock, clearance, store returns, wholesale, hoarded, found, online, discontinued, used, curbside, resale merchandise out there, how is a vendor to determine if their merchandise source is legit and appropriate to sell? Here is one of many tips we will be offering you in the upcoming months. REALISTIC AVAILABILITY   Definition: A product's source and presence makes sense in the ...