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110
MOTORINDIA
l
September 2012
key to deception lies in the fact that
the counterfeit part or packaging
closely resembles the real thing.
No attempt is made to identify its
source of manufacture.
The three general rules to guard
against being fooled into buying
counterfeit parts:
v
Know your after-market
supplier. As a regular and loyal
customer, chances are he would
not knowingly sell you counterfeit
parts.
v
Do not shop by price alone,
unless you have a way of evaluating
it before buying. Looks and packag-
ing can be completely deceptive.
It is intended to be that way; parts
look as good as and sometimes
even better than a well-known
name. It is what is on the inside that
really counts. Counterfeiters count
on your weakness for the price tag
and not taking the precaution of
adherence to rigid specification of
known and reliable after-market
manufacturers.
Suggestions
v
Firstly, the manufacturer must
maintain his reputation of putting
“quality and safety” first and guard
the end-user in turn, irrespective
of what he procures from market
or service station. OEM and brand
sector should intensify garage con-
tacts and warn the users of ills of
counterfeit parts.
v
A parts dealer is no longer
merely a merchant trading his
wares. He has professional status
and importance. He will be respect-
ed if he shows utmost sincerity,
skill and guidance in identifying
completely with customers’ best in-
terests. A manufacturer’s reputation
depends on how the dealers and
distributors conduct themselves to
create satisfied and grateful clients.
v
Motor parts dealers asso-
ciations could frame a code of
“business ethics’ [prominently
displayed] to say that the members
shall refrain from stocking or sell-
ing spurious parts. Any member
violating it may be suitably penal-
ized.
v
Awareness need be created
against use of spurious/counterfeit
parts fraught with risk and publicity
posters, in local language, displayed
in every town, and through cinema
slides. Consumer protection socie-
ties, industry chambers and OEMs
could be involved in campaigns to
discourage entry of doubtful materi-
als and tracking down the culprits.
Once identified, such middlemen
or suppliers are reported by the
associations for expeditious legal
action. Media is encouraged to do
investigating reporting and expose
the culprits.
v
Motor owners’ clubs be en-
couraged in small towns, a warn-
the-motorist campaign be launched
by the organized sector, regional
transport authorities, traffic police
and social organizations.
v
Society must condemn those
indulging in manufacture and sale
of counterfeits endangering safety,
and the State and the industry
together must deal with this social
evil with a heavy hand.
“Accidents don’t happen, they
are made” – Earnest Greenwood
aftermarket
Minimum norms for testing
equipment ought to be laid
down for critical items. Inde-
pendent organizations should
carry out spot checks. Dealers
associations can draw samples
voluntarily; this will create a
sense of alertness.