Fashion and Style,- Shopping in Thailand can be fun - haggling the prices, getting great deals, the aroma of open-air markets, and getting souvenirs for family and friends. But, you need to be careful. Your shopping trip can result in your goods being confiscated, heavy fines, and possibly jail.

Thailand is notorious for counterfeit goods (shirts and hand bags), pirating software, and illegal copies of movies. Customs may inspect your luggage when you return and confiscate everything. So this Ten Ways to Protect Yourself From Counterfeiting and Piracy, lets begin from the first ;

Scrutinize labels, packaging, and contents

There is no foolproof way to know the difference between a bargain and a  fake, but labels and packaging can be revealing indicators. Look for missing or expired “use by” dates, broken or missing safety seals, missing warranty information, or otherwise unusual packaging. For larger purchases, such as mechanical or electronic equipment, seek reputable sellers and check serial numbers with manufacturer databases. If you purchase medicine from a new vendor and it does not match the size, shape, color, taste, and side effects of your usual product, contact your pharmacist or the manufacturer to determine if it came from a legitimate source. You can also verify authenticity by comparing the manufacturer’s contact information with another product’s packaging, as addresses and phone numbers provided with counterfeit goods could be misleading.

image take from brandchannel.com

Seek authorized retailers

Companies often publish lists of authorized retailers online or in packaging materials. If you are uncertain whether a retailer acquired its products from a legitimate distributor, ask for verifiable information from the retailer about the source of the goods. Familiarize yourself with the suppliers of retail outlets and encourage your favorite stores to secure their supply chain. Trustworthy vendors work within a secure distribution network that follows steps such as those published in the U.S. Chamber’s Supply Chain Tool Kit.

Watch for missing sales tax charges

Businesses trading in counterfeit goods often do not report their sales to financial authorities__a difference you may notice in the price you ultimately pay, particularly in states that collect sales taxes. If a purchase price does not appear to reflect the required sales tax or other fees, you should inquire further about the price and the source of that company’s products before buying.

Insist on secure transactions

Operations dealing in counterfeit products are likely to disregard the need to transmit and store customer data in a secure fashion. Avoid making a purchase if you are uncomfortable with the security of the transaction. When doing business online, make sure your payments are submitted via Web sites beginning with https:// (the “s” stands for secure) and look for a lock symbol at the bottom of your browser. When making transactions in person, look for assurance that your credit card information does not appear on copies that can be mishandled.

Seek quality assurance in the secondary market

You may wish to purchase used or discounted products from a reseller. However, the differences between reasonable packaging and content irregularities and counterfeits may be too subtle to detect. Avoid counterfeits in the secondary market by asking for details about your supplier’s quality assurance processes. Reputable and reliable resellers have comprehensive inspection and authentication procedures and technicians to inspect the equipment they sell.

Report questionable spam and faulty products

Consumers can play an important role in keeping the market free of fakes by acting as a source of investigatory clues for U.S. brand owners. If you receive spam that directs you to a suspicious Web site, report the information to the brand owner and to the authorities. If you suspect you’ve purchased a counterfeit or pirated product, notify the brand owner and contact the place of purchase for an exchange or reimbursement. Report unsafe products to the Consumer Product Safety Commission by calling 800-638-2772. Many counterfeit and pirated goods are the product of complex illegal manufacturing and distributing operations. If you suspect an intellectual property crime, report it to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center.

Be vigilant when buying abroad

While many international businesses offer unique products that are unavailable or hard to find at home, in certain foreign markets counterfeit and pirated products are even more prevalent than in the United States. The U.S. Department of State publishes travel advisories that may alert you of known counterfeits appearing in your destination country. Be aware that U.S. Customs officials have the authority to confiscate counterfeit products upon reentry into the United States. Also, when shopping on international Web sites, look for trusted vendors that use identifiable privacy and security safeguards and have legitimate addresses.

Teach your kids about counterfeits

Educate your children about the dangers of fake products regarding their safety and the livelihood of the businesses that make the products they enjoy. Teach children to shop with legal and safe retailers both in local stores and online. Watch for Internet retailers’ compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, which requires that online businesses use additional safeguards to protect the personal information of people under 13. Finally, ask children to check with a parent before giving out personal or family information online.

Warn friends and family of illegitimate product sources

Word of mouth is one of the best ways to spread information about dangerous and defective products and those who sell them. By talking about this problem, you may also learn where your friends and family have found reliable, safe, affordable, and legitimate alternatives.

Trust your instincts

As always, beware of a purchase that is “too good to be true.” If you are uncomfortable with the circumstances of your purchase __such as price, venue, lack of a sales receipt or warranty information, or, most importantly, a vendor’s unwillingness to answer simple questions about the source of the products for sale__ use your common sense and walk away.

Fashion and Style,- Fashion Accessory help in highlighting the apparel or any dress code. Accessories are meant to change your entire look. These accessories include Fashionable Bags, Cell Phone Pouches, Sari, Evening Pouches and many others.

They also help to hide any sort of weakness of a dress plus they all follow the current fashion trend, which makes everyone to accept them. Above all, these items make people feel comfortable and attractive, thus putting an impact on other's mind. The latest women accessories have been brought by Inspiration - a fashion accessory manufacturer to satisfy ever emerging wants of varied customers.

pic take from handbagforgirls.com

As we all know that fashion keeps on changing. Accordingly, Bags have also gone through too many changes to suite ever increasing wants of different customers. Fashionable Handbags are commonly used for different versatile usages. But the important fact is that these bags are needed to be stylish and fashionable. This task is beautifully done by Inspiration by presenting the most heart throbbing selective fashionable bags.

The bags have heavy work on different fashion fabric with innovative styles, which contributes in making them more attractive and demanding in the fashion market. Fashion bags are used for many purposes to store personal product.

When you finally decide to dish out a large amount of cash for a handbag, you’ll want to make sure it’s the real thing you are purchasing and not a cheap knock-off. With the popularity of handbags at the present time, its no wonder so many companies are eager to produce knock-off versions of Gucci, Louis Vuitton and other high-fashion handbags. We want to make sure that you know when you are being ripped off so you can spend your well-earned money on something that is truly authentic. Here are some hints which will help you spot a fake designer handbag when you see one.

If you’re looking for something a little different, there are literally thousands of beautifully crafted unique handbags and purses available for purchase online. If you’re tired of the mass-produced offerings you tend to find at the mall, the online handbag, purse and fashion accessory market.

A woman always have a desire to be noticed by others. In order to achieve an objective, woman spend hours in front of the mirror to get appearance right. And this means making sure everything from top to bottom including shoes is perfect. If it's winter, for sure you must find the perfect pair of boots to be able walk on snow for long distances easily without hurting feet or blistering.

And this time Winter Again!
A staple in most women's fall and winter footwear wardrobes, boots are very much "in" fashion this year. Typically, winter boots are made with leather on the outside and soft, luxurious sheepskin lining to ensure that your feet stay warm even under extreme cold conditions. If you consider yourself a style diva, then winter boots are your ultimate style statement in comfort, warmth, and chicness. Of course, you must be ready to pay for it all!

Boots are really trendy and there is wide choice from flat-heels to stilettos, wedges, and platforms, boots are everything in between. Don't believe me? Just head over to the "downtown" areas of any well-populated city in America or hop to the nearest mall, to find almost every other woman flaunting her boots in colors as varied as black, brown, silver, gold, and many others!

The Hottest Boots In Cold Winter
Now for the season's winner! Yes, the hottest boots this season are the flat and riding boots. And if you already have a pair of heeled boots, don’t sweat! Pick up a pair of flat boots and you'll have double the joy and choice for mixing things up and making your own fashion statement! 

 

An easy way to check out and shop for boots is to order them online. The range is latest in styles, colors, materials and the experience is fun and tempting. But, you may want to actually visit a store and try out the boots you like before buying them. What's the point in spending all that money on a pair of shoes that don't fit you? Sigh!

Finding boots that fit you perfectly, while giving you enough toe room, can be a little difficult because of the varying calf and ankle sizes in women. Boots that are too tight in the calves are highly uncomfortable, while those which are loose look terribly sloppy. If you are keen on buying boots online, then visit an online seller. Also check if the online store offers you free shipping and free returns just in case you need to return the boots for a better fitting pair. You may also check if the online as well as the malls offer you custom fits by sizing them as per your individual shoe size.

Getting Boot-ylicious!
Now that you know how to find that perfect pair of boots, its time to choose one or all of the many boot styles that are doing the rounds this winter.

Black is In
Black patent leather boots are very much in vogue. For all you sassy ladies, a pair of knee-high boots is just the thing to make the guys drool! Accessorize the boots with a pair of fishnet stockings.

Point Your Toes In the Right Direction
If you like to play the part of PYT or 'Pretty Young Thing', then a modest pair of ivory knee-length boots are perfect! Pointed toes are trendy and fashionable. Flash them with a feminine outfit for a dramatic effect!

Metallic Magic
Back in fashion are the ankle-length boots in striking metallic shades. If you are daring and love to wear your attitude on your feet then these are just the thing for you. Enjoy all eyes on your feet!

Complimenting Skinny Jeans
Slick pair of boots with a faux fur fringe or metallic detailing is an excellent way to compliment a pair of skinny jeans. Tuck the jeans into the boots and finish out the rock star look with a funky top and a denim jacket if it's nippy!

Turn Up The Heat!
If you want to look your Diva-ish best then slip into a pair of thigh-high boots, and slip on a mini dress! Watch the temperature rise…

Lace-ups
Boots with laces are cute and sensual in a wonderful way. Try a tan color pair of knee-high boots with block heels and attractive upsweep.

Casual Chic
The most popular season choice – black patent leather flat heeled boots are chic and stylish. Ideal for a night of partying!

The Perfect Pair
If you just rather own a single pair of boots and want them to go with just about anything then invest in a pair of tan, suede boots with stiletto heels! A classic style, it never fails to go out of fashion and always makes a bold statement!

So, all I'd like to say is that boots, any type, are simply awesome! And the best part is you can dress them up or dress them down depending on your outfit and occasion.