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Protecting Homeowners from Counterfeit Products

A huge blank space in a living room would make you realize that it needs a good piece of furniture. Perhaps something that’s incredibly aesthetic. However, making a lot of searches across IKEA or Amazon also reveals a piece of furniture that crosses your budget, so you settle for an exact replica of the product from a local store nearby. A kind of luck and investment every homeowner needs, isn't it?


The real story begins when you start noticing poorly made construction, cheap materials used, and the pieces falling off within a month. Investing in counterfeit goods is not saving money; it’s draining it, and the realisation often hits when it’s too late.


In India, this is becoming a common practice where fraudulent businesses and sellers copy the product designs of top brands and sell them at a lower price and lower quality. If you are buying CenturyPly products and are not sure if they are genuine, we have introduced a QR verification process that helps you avoid fake purchases.


Keep reading to know more about the risk of counterfeit products and how homeowners can protect themselves.


Plywood furniture - CenturyPly


How Counterfeit Products Create Damage


Whether you are a designer or someone building their new home, fake interior items can cause multiple risks. Here are a few reasons why:


  • Structural Failures: Often made from low-quality materials, they risk the safety and structural integrity of your home. Due to weak structural build, they may not handle everyday load, pressure, or wear, resulting in damaged or loose parts which can become dangerous for children and adults.

  • Increased Maintenance Cost: Crafted from poor manufacturing practices, counterfeit products often require frequent repairs and maintenance, which adds up to more cost than genuine ones.

  • Health Hazards: They may pose a risk to health as they use harmful materials and unsafe treatment processes. They may react with air or other sensitive materials and affect your body.

  • Business Impact: The most negative impact a counterfeit product has is on the brand, contractor, or designer’s image. Using cheap furnishings risks your future prospects of earning a project.

What Are the Most Common Unauthentic Home Building Items in the Market


Some goods and materials are high in demand but mostly costly. This is where sellers take the opportunity to make fake products to earn profit. These home interior materials are common across categories, including:


1. Plywood and Boards


Plywood is the most popular home-building solution as it is used for a wide range of applications, including cabinetry, partitions, furniture, and other interior items. Fake plywood boards lack ideal thickness and strong bonding, and may even be prone to termites.


CenturyPly plywood carries authentic badges and is tested for authenticity. It incorporates groundbreaking technologies - ViroKill and Firewall - making the most out of your purchase. You can always scan the QR printed on the ply to verify it and also view all the product details.


Modern plywood furniture - CenturyPly


2. Laminates

Laminates are one of the most stylish materials and must satisfy at first glance. That’s where most people get tricked because it grabs attention through its beauty rather than its construction quality.


While it is important to choose a visually interesting laminate that brightens your space, it is also necessary to ensure it does not fade or crack. Counterfeit laminates might not meet your needs for durability in areas like kitchens or wardrobes.


One way to identify Century Laminates is the ViroKill technology and the 10-year warranty badge. They are manufactured using special resins to add extra strength and make them resistant to abrasion and scratches.


3. Doors and Composite Materials

How many of us find it best to purchase pre-made doors that complement the interiors? The seller may claim they are made from fine wood or materials, but they start developing bacteria or damage due to moisture as the seasons fluctuate.


Doors are another widely purchased counterfeit product that many customers end up getting duped into buying.


With CenturyDoors, you bring home the innovation of Club Prime, Sainik, and Bond doors. Crafted with a 3-tier chemical treatment, they are boiling waterproof, 100% borer and termite-proof, and resistant to swelling in water.


What is CenturyPromise and How We Prevent Counterfeit Risks

Introducing a much-needed solution to battle scores of fake products and sellers in the market. CenturyPly makes genuine material verification easy and smart through the CenturyPromise app.


Whether you are a well-known architect or a professional carpenter, it is designed for everyone to verify products and renovate spaces with transparency. Here’s what you can do through this mobile application:


  • Verification: You can scan the QR on plywood bought from a physical store, and the app will instantly confirm whether it is genuine.

  • E-Warranty Certificate: Customers can download their product’s e-warranty certificate and maintain it for future reference.

  • Product Details: Apart from quickly verifying the material, the app also presents all the details of the product, including its key features, benefits, and trust certifications.

  • Latest Deals: Get useful notifications whenever there are new offers and deals on products, and make a cost-effective purchase.

Authentic vs Fake: Know the Difference


Aspect Authentic Products (CenturyPly) Counterfeit Products
Raw materials Certified, strength-tested timber Mixed, low-density or scrap wood
Adhesives used Moisture- and heat-resistant bonding Low-grade glue that weakens fast
Manufacturing Factory-controlled, standardised production Unregulated, inconsistent processes
Structural strength Strong screw hold, minimal warping Poor grip, bends and cracks easily
Durability Designed for years of daily use Fails within months
Health safety Meets emission and indoor safety norms Risk of harmful chemical fumes
Warranty & support Verifiable warranty and traceability No genuine warranty or support

Conclusion


Social media is considered one of the biggest influences behind the rise of counterfeit products. How many times have you seen influencers promote a piece of furniture they bought at an affordable rate while sharing a purchase link?


Because of this, not only do businesses in the construction industry face huge reputational damage, but customers also suffer financial losses.


However, CenturyPly has been leading the way with its smart approach to tackle this problem. Even if you end up buying the wrong material, the CenturyPromise app is there to offer transparency and reliable support in home construction.


FAQs


1. For how long does a laminate last?


The longevity of a laminate depends on whether you are buying a counterfeit or a genuine option. A fraudulent seller may replicate the product using poor material and construction, which may last only a few months or 2–3 years.


Authentic Century Laminates can last for more than 10 years, as they are made using advanced manufacturing techniques and high-quality materials.


2. How do I identify a fake product?


Even before purchasing, you can ensure the material’s credibility. Some major signs of a fake product are the lack of ISI marks, CML numbers, irregular grain patterns, or rough edges.


3. What does the CML number mean?


CML is a licence number allotted by the Bureau of Indian Standards to every registered factory. It is printed on all authentic plywood sheets, which you can match online or verify through the BIS official website.

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