Take as much time as you need to conduct your inspection. If the vendor tries to distract you, hurry you along, or discouraging you from handling their merchandise, they may have something to hide.
Bogus Oakleys may also be noticeably smaller than their authentic counterparts. This happens when the makers attempt to cut down on the cost of production by using less material. [3] X Research source
Many Oakley models boast scratch-resistant lenses. A little light scratching may be an indication of age, but if the lenses are criss-crossed with large gouges, it’s probably because they’re made from inferior quality materials. [5] X Research source Even pre-owned pairs will retain their clarity and tint integrity after years of regular use.
The worst offenders might even be pieced together from multiple pieces that aren’t perfectly aligned.
This rule may not apply to sunglasses that are made from metal or painted with a special finish. However, you can still judge the quality of the paint job by examining the edge of each arm where it folds into the eyepiece. [8] X Research source As tempting as it may be to scratch the sunglasses yourself, don’t. Most vendors will expect you to pay for items that you’ve damaged, and the last thing you want is to get stuck with a pair of shades after determining that they’re phony.
Select Oakley hinges may contain metal components, but these will be slender pins, not large, clunky screws. [10] X Research source
The removable ear socks on fake glasses may not want to stay in place while you’re wearing them, or be suspiciously easy to slip on and off when you’re not. [12] X Research source
Designer brand forums and online communities centered around Oakley products can be great places to go for a second opinion. [14] X Research source When in doubt, it’s always best to get your Oakley sunglasses and accessories from an official Oakley outlet store, or a licensed dealer like Sunglass Hut.
Certain newer models, like the popular Frogskins, bear the full name of the brand in place of the smaller symbol. This script will be written in the recognizable Oakley font and have a clean, precise, polished look. The Oakley “O” has undergone a few re-imaginings over the years. Don’t be too quick to cry foul if the logo isn’t identical to the one found on other pairs. It could just be that you’ve got a slightly newer or older model on your hands.
The logo may be plastic on some pairs, but the quality and detail of the molding will still be the same.
More elaborate fakes are sometimes printed with randomized SKUs. However, these don’t always match the model of the glasses they’re printed on. If the model you’re appraising have an item number on them, take a moment to punch it into a search engine to confirm whether it’s legit. Some Oakley sunglasses are still made in the U. S. , but many are manufactured elsewhere these days. Seeing “Made in China” written on the arm shouldn’t necessarily set off any alarm bells. [18] X Research source
Oakley only puts stickers on the lenses of their polarized glasses, and these are only printed with the letter “P,” never the company name or logo. [20] X Research source As a general rule of thumb, if you see a sticker on a pair of Oakley shades, there’s a good chance that they’re impostors.
Lots of factors can contribute to an item’s price, including age, wear, the number of original accessories included, and the amount the seller paid for it. Keep this in mind when trying to determine whether the sunglasses look like they’re worth the number on the price tag.
Take a moment to give the packaging itself a good hard look, too. If there’s anything fishy about the box design, like bleeding ink, off-kilter printing, or misspelled text, consider it a heads up.
If you’re buying previously-owned, the seller may or may not still have the original certificate and warranty card in their possession. In this case, you’ll need to rely on other methods of authentication.
Models that are sold in hard cases will also generally come with a cleaning cloth, which will be printed with the Oakley name or logo, as well. Make sure you pay just as much attention to what’s inside. It’s not uncommon for scam artists to repackage fake sunglasses in original designer cases.
