How to Tell Real from Fake Honda Emblems
Real versus fake: can you tell the difference between OEM emblems and phony emblems? The quality of real OEM emblems cannot be matched. However, that doesn’t stop con-artists from trying to pass a fake as an original. Unfortunately, the internet also makes it super easy for these people to get in front of you with these fake products. Here’s how you can spot a fake so you don’t waste your money on knock-off Honda emblems.
Spotting the Fakes
Over the years, we’ve seen thousands of OEM emblems, and we can spot the real thing from a mile away. It might not be so easy for the average shopper. Your best advantage is if you have the original emblem in hand — comparing an original side-by-side to a fake is very revealing. However, if you’re buying a new emblem, you probably don’t have the old one. From here, it’s a matter of knowing what OEM quality is like. Most fakes have a few characteristics in common.
1. Knock-off manufacturers use cheap materials instead of the real OEM materials, which is the first thing you should look for. They’re usually wavy, wiggly, and pretty raw — you can see this more easily directly under lighting. The genuine emblem’s finish will reflect very straight and precise, almost mirror like (given the finish, of course).
2. Another giveaway for fake emblems will be the cheap finish around the edges. A fake emblem usually has a very cheap edge that’s rough and raw looking. It may even be edged in a cheap plastic, when it’s supposed to be an aluminum emblem, and so on. Also, look for cracks, chips, and imperfections throughout that indicate cheap craftsmanship and material.
3. Look at the backing. This is a place many knock-off companies don’t expect you to look. The backing on cheap emblems is usually not centrally applied. Even the appliqué on the backing itself will likely look faded and odd on fakes.
4. Check the packaging. Original emblems usually don’t come in cheap bubble wrap packaging. The labels on the packaging for OEM emblems are nice and crisp, and centrally aligned. Check the part number on the packaging to make sure it’s the OEM part number because fakes won’t have it.
How to Avoid Buying Knock-Off Emblems
It’s easier to spot a fake when you have eyes on it — the hard part is when you don’t. Since online shopping is the leading way to shop for these kinds of parts, you’re not going to have them in your hands before giving away your money.
1. Start by checking out the photo for the listing. Unless it’s from a certified Honda parts dealer, a stock photo would be a dead giveaway. Knock-off dealers routinely swipe pictures from Honda and use them without authorization. So basically, the picture you’re looking at isn’t the picture of the actual product they're selling.
2. Check who you're buying from. Making a purchase from sites like eBay or Amazon can be a bit of a gamble. However, it’s not completely necessary to avoid these sites. If you do shop on third party seller sites, make sure you’re not buying from a company/seller known for selling knock-off parts. Also, if the seller is selling a ton of non-Honda automotive parts, they’re likely not an authorized retailer.
3. The safest route is to go straight to the source, like HondaPartsOnline.net. We have a large selection of emblems, and all parts on our site are OEM originals. If you’re having a problem finding an emblem, it may be discontinued from Honda, but don’t hesitate to enlist our help in your search. We’d rather help you find the part from another source than leave you on your own with knock-off dealers.