Lenovo has issued a statement warning buyers to be vigilant for grey market imports and counterfeit products. In a post on its press site, the company says that it has seen a significant rise in both recently.
► Grey and fake products deprive users of quality and safety
► Products offered at ultra-low prices could be imitations
The increased activity can be attributed, in part, says the company, to ‘new online marketplaces cropping up that are intent on luring consumers based on the appeal of global brands but lack the processes and willingness to spot or deter illegal activity.’
The statement underlines the importance of customers only purchasing technology goods from trusted sources – and of webstores retailers, and resellers sourcing products from accredited Lenovo partners.
Lenovo assures customers that it has a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy in place. ‘Grey market imports are a breach of our standard contract terms, and we actively investigate and take appropriate actions against distributors involved in importing Lenovo products into unauthorised markets.’
It continues: ‘Counterfeit products deprive consumers of the quality they paid for and can present serious safety issues. All Lenovo products are manufactured to the highest quality standards. Our products undergo rigorous safety and security testing, while benefiting from decades of deep experience of highly trained engineers, developers, and designers.
‘Counterfeit products are often cheap imitations of high-quality products, designed to attract consumers by offering a name brand at a low price. While a low price might seem appealing, counterfeit products are usually low quality, lacking basic functionality, and in certain circumstances, can present safety and security risks to customers.’
Global sales of counterfeit and pirated goods are estimated to be between $1.7 trillion and $4.5 trillion a year. Lenovo provides useful links that can help you to identify grey or counterfeit products – guidance from the EC can be seen here and from consumer rights magazine Which? can be found here.
If you are worried about grey market or fake products, or you’d like to learn more about the subject, please use the email below to get in touch with our team.
