Advent calendars have evolved far beyond chocolate. Today you can find everything from luxury beauty boxes to cheese samplers behind those 24 little doors. One of the fastest growing categories is toy and collectible figure advent calendars, especially those featuring plush characters.
Unfortunately, counterfeiters have noticed. Social media ads now regularly promote “too good to be true” advent calendars. These adverts link to standalone websites that mimic the artwork of genuine products, sometimes even using videos of the original calendar and its authentic contents, but sell them for less than half the price.
What arrives on your doorstep is rarely what you expected, a poorly printed cover filled with cheap plastic knock-offs instead of the 24 high quality plush toys you were promised. Advent calendars are a counterfeiter’s dream because most buyers don’t open them until 1 December. By the time disappointed consumers realise they’ve been duped, the fraudulent seller has shut down its site and vanished.
How to Spot a Counterfeit Advent Calendar
- Be cautious of standalone websites promoted through social media ads. Even if they claim to offer refunds or guarantees, you’re unlikely to have any comeback when the site disappears.
- Question deep discounts. If a calendar is advertised at half the normal price and isn’t from a well known retailer, treat it as a red flag.
- Examine the product photos carefully. Do any images show plastic or badly printed versions of the promised items? Are backgrounds inconsistent, photoshopped, or do the toys look out of proportion to the calendar? Those can be signs of a fake.
- If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stick to trusted stores or the brand’s own site to ensure you get the genuine product.
Counterfeit advent calendars don’t just ruin the festive fun, they fund dishonest operations and hurt the original creators. Take a few minutes to verify before you buy and keep your holiday season free from disappointment.
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