{"id":327,"date":"2021-10-24T01:27:12","date_gmt":"2021-10-24T06:27:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pirg.org\/texas\/resources\/tips-spot-counterfeit-toys-you-buy-them\/"},"modified":"2022-08-06T06:15:35","modified_gmt":"2022-08-06T11:15:35","slug":"tips-to-spot-counterfeit-toys-before-you-buy-them","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/pirg.org\/texas\/resources\/tips-to-spot-counterfeit-toys-before-you-buy-them\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips to spot counterfeit toys before you buy them"},"featured_media":12060,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":false,"_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":""},"campaign_tax":[184],"display_option":[],"issue_tax":[],"resource_type":[90],"region_tax":[],"state":[5,7,8,9,12,13,16,18,23,24,25,28,29,2,32,33,34,36,38,40,41,42,46,50,52],"topic_tax":[151],"class_list":["post-327","resource","type-resource","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"details":{"helper_taxonomies":{"topics":[151],"collection":false,"press_type":false,"person_type":false,"resource_type":90,"event_type":false,"campaigns":184,"department":false,"level":false,"states":[2,5,7,8,9,12,13,16,18,23,24,25,28,29,32,33,34,36,38,40,41,42,46,50,52],"act_option":false,"display_option":false,"primary":{"topic":151}},"subtitle":"","excerpt":"When shopping for children, counterfeit toys can be very dangerous.","featured_image":12060,"caption_override":"","updated_on":null,"sidebar_action":null,"related_event":null,"hide_hero_image":false,"location":"","external_link":{"publication_name":"","url":""},"file":null,"sidebar_action_query_string":""},"helper_people_group":{"title":"Authors","entities":null},"helper_downloads":{"title":"Downloads","files":null},"page_layout":[{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":"","component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

Nov. 11, 2021<\/em><\/p>\n

By Hannah Rhodes, Consumer Watchdog Associate<\/em><\/p>\n

As the holidays grow near, shoppers can expect a more difficult time finding the perfect gift this year that will arrive in time for the holidays. With supply chain issues plaguing the holiday shopping season, consumers should be wary when shopping online that what they purchase is a safe, legitimate product.<\/p>\n

When shopping for children, counterfeit toys can be very dangerous. Consumer advocates and government agencies have worked hard to ensure toys undergo thorough safety testing. If that safety testing is not done, children can be exposed to choking hazards, toxics and sharp parts that could cause injury.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve looked high and low for a toy that\u2019s already been sold out, don\u2019t trust the toy that pops up in its place online. A great deal isn\u2019t always the safest deal.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Spotting counterfeits can be difficult for anyone. Here is a breakdown of what to look for when shopping online for toys:\u00a0<\/h5>\n

The website listing<\/strong> can tell you a lot. When looking at a toy\u2019s product description, watch out for misspellings or mislabelings. Website listings with low-quality pictures of toys can also indicate a counterfeit.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Look at age recommendations.<\/strong> Age recommendations for toys can be listed differently throughout a website listing. The age in the title may not be the same as the manufacturer\u2019s recommended age. If there isn\u2019t a clear age range, it\u2019s best\u00a0to avoid buying the toy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Learn more<\/strong> about the product from the seller information. When shopping on websites that host third-party sellers, you can access the seller\u2019s information:<\/p>\n