How to Identify an Original LG Television and Spot a Fake One.

Are there fake LG Televisions?

Fake products are copies of the original versions. Without an original version of a product, you can’t get the fake. To spot a fake product you would have to know how the original looks like. Fake products are usually copies of the original made with substandard materials. The quality, durability, and longevity of counterfeit products cannot be compared to that of the original.

Those who produce fake products have fraudulent intentions of producing such products. Their major aim is to make quick money from the original sellers. The catch is that generally, fake products are cheaper (or believed to be cheaper) than the original versions. Those who sell fake products not only want to make quick money, but they also want to rob the sellers or manufacturers of such products.

Before jumping into how to recognize and avoid these fake products, you should first understand the difference between fake, cloned, and refurbished products. People often call defective products and refurbished products fake but this isn't the fact. Understanding their difference would help you make a guided decision when you want to get a Television.

A cloned product and a faked product might look similar but these terms are distinct. A cloned product can also be called a knockoff product, it an exact or almost exact replica of the original television but with different branding. It is one that has a different name, logo, or design to the one you are used to. It is usually fully disclosed as “not the original”.

While a fake product on the other hand is a clone (knockoff) copy that has been marketed as the original. A fake product is guilty of dishonesty, misrepresentation, and illegality. It is more difficult to detect a counterfeit phone if you are not used to the original.

A refurbished product is a previously used TV that has been repaired and confirmed to be in a usable condition. The design and trademarks of the original producer are intact.

Fake products cut across all consumer goods. China is tagged as the brain behind the manufacturing of most fake products. However, you should also remember that Apple iPhone and iPad are made in China but assembled in the USA. Therefore, China is not the problem. The problem is the dealers who go to China to ask for sub-standard or fake products from them.

Fake, counterfeit, and inferior products are so rampant nowadays. There is a wide number of fake products on the increase in the Nigerian market. The majority of these are electronic components and devices. Almost 60% of the electronics in Nigeria and other developing countries are fakes or clones.

More often than not, the people that make these fake products try to replicate the original’s logo, design, and other exterior structures but with an undeserved interior. It is advisable to be able to differentiate the fake from the original.

If you have fallen victim to a fake product, then you will the pain of dropping your hard-earned money to get something inferior. It is a traumatizing experience, this why it is important to know how to identify a Fake LG Television in Nigeria.

About LG.

LG is a big manufacturer from Korea, they are a well reputable brand known for quality products. They make very durable home electronics and mobile phones. They are known for their durability and performance. Almost every home in Nigeria has LG electronics. It could be a fridge, deep freezer, microwave, Television, or DVD player.

LG offers a warranty for air conditioning repair and other products. However, the counterfeit versions of LG products are so rampant in the market. Many have fallen victim to this kind of situation, dropping their hard-earned money only to find out they bought fake products.

Do you desperately want to avoid losing your hard-earned cash for something that is not original? Good for you because in the post, we would be discussing some of the ways through which you can avoid buying a fake LG Television in Nigeria.

Here is how to know fake LG Television in Nigeria:

1).Logo on the packaging carton. The easiest way to know if the TV is fake is to take a look at the box. Many times the packaging will not have the LG logo because it is difficult to replicate the logo without raising brows. The only logos you will see is the removable sticker on the TV itself. Sometimes, if you look very closely at the carton in which it is packed, careful observation will reveal that the LG written on it is a different hue from the other writings on the carton because it was painted on it as an after job. 

If the TV box has a clear and undistorted LG logo, and you find the same with the remote control, a clear logo of LG, you can rest assured you are getting a genuine LG manufactured product. One relevant factor is that the packaging box must carry the OEM’s toll-free contact number, service center address, and the brand logo. If it doesn't, then that TV might just be a fake one.

Another noteworthy thing is that most colorful and flashy boxes are indicative of a fake TV. This doesn't mean that all TVs with color box packaging are fake. However, this is the biggest sign of fake products because all genuine products come in carton (brown) boxes with exact product information and serial number.

2).Remote control. The LG logo is usually printed at the bottom front of all LG remote controls. Most fake LG Televisions do not have branded remote controls. Sometimes, they just come with some other random universal remote control. Also, the remote controllers of genuine LG TV’s cannot operate fake ones and vice versa. SO test the remote on others and if it works, then you are about to buy fake. 

Other times, the branding on the remote of these fake LG Televisions is a very bad paint job. The LG written on the package or remote has a different shade or color from other writings on the carton.

3).Manufacturing country. If you want to buy an LG TV and you see that it is printed that the product is made in China, then it is a fake product. Original LG Televisions are made in Korea.

4).Wrong Boot loader screen. The boot loader is that screen when you put on your tv, the first screen you see. 

When you put on an LG TV, if you notice that the start-up screen or the user interface design is different from what you are familiar with, please note that the Television set is not an original LG Television.

Look out for the original LG design to be found on the start-up screen. So if you see the 'LG' written in an unfamiliar font, that TV is most definitely a fake.

5). Also, every LG Television will have an LG model number and serial number on the back cover. The model and serial number should be seen on a label that has been printed by LG. Afterward, go to the menus and then the settings menu where you will find a device information screen that also has the serial number of the TV. If the serial number printed on the back cover and that on the menus do not match, then you should be suspicious of such a television

6). When there are too many features, be on alert. Another tell-tale sign of fake or knockoff products is that they offer too many features at a very low price.It’s nearly impossible for big companies to provide so many features at less price. Also, fake LG TVs feel much lighter than the genuine ones in weight.

7). Some people have also noted that the diagonal length from the bottom of a fake LG TV is 43 instead of the typical 49 of an original LG TV. You will notice this when you use a measuring tape to measure it.

Here are some valuable tips to ensure that you buy the Original LG Television:

• Buy your Tv from an authorized dealer:This person must be listed on the manufacturer official website. Aside from this, you can buy your Tv from the official showrooms if available in your locality. If you are shopping for an LG TV online, ensure you buy from well-known and reputable online stores with high integrity, and a good rating.
• If you are lucky to find an existing owner of that model of LG Television, go with one. The owner of the Tv will know its features better than you. Familiarize yourself with its features of the original TV so you can easily spot a fake. Search for the hands-on video of that TV on youtube.com and watch it in case you do not know anyone using it.
• When the price is too cheap, please be suspicious. Do good research and always compare prices on trustworthy online stores like Zit Electronics Store. If you get anything way different then you just might be buying fake.

Prices for LGs Televisions are within these range:

24 - 32inch Full HD/ HD LED LG TV = N45,000 to N55,500.

43 - 49inch Full HD LED LG TV = N100,000 to N150,000.

55inch Smart LED LG TV = N190,000+.

60inch Smart 4K UHD TV = N400,000+.

65inch Smart 4K UHD TV = N500,000+.

• Know the customer care hotline of the manufacturer.Also, you can call the customer care before you make a payment and give them the serial number to confirm if it is a genuine one. Search and obtain the phone line of the manufacturers in case you want to verify some functions.
• Check serial number online. There must also be a warranty card with loads of details on how to claim your warranty. Avoid buying any TV (or any electronic devices) without any warranty.
• Compare the serial number on the box with the ones written on the Tv itself.And make sure you lookout for the consumer manual & other Docs. Fake LG Tvs will not have a manual and the few that have will have one that is not comprehensive.
• Finally, Try and register the product via its serial number on the official website. once it is accepted, it is not a fake.

Conclusion

Let me end with this story.

One day you went to visit your very rich girlfriend and you met her enjoying her favorite drama series on her LG TV. Immediately, you start to tease her as a“cash madam”with enough cash to buy the latest model of the LG TV. You began to feel bad that you didn't have as much cash as she did.

Afterward, you decide to ask her about the details of the TV, like the year of manufacture of her LG Television. You were amazed to found out that her TV was the same year and model of the one you have at home.

You opened your mouth in disbelief because your TV seemed nothing like the one you are staring at right now. Now you realize what a terrible picture quality it has, in fact, your TV at home seemed like a second model compared to hers.

Ashamed to talk about your poor TV buying decision, you decide to examine your friend’s TV further. And you realized that her TV was manufactured in Korea while yours was made in China.

Also, you paid a far cheaper price to get yours knowing that it wasn't a promo sale.

Now what happened above is that the poorer friend used her hard-earned money to buy a fake TV. To make sure that this is not your story, follow the above tips when purchasing your next LG Television, or any brand TV at all.

Though the above tips are not 100% foolproof, one thing I can guarantee is that if you follow the steps meticulously you can avoid falling victim to fake TVs by 95%. This is a very safe bet, better than diving into the TV market with no guide at all.

Now you have the power to pre-identify fake televisions. No wicked producer can take you hard-earned money now.