How to Spot Fake Companies and Navigate Print-On-Demand Safely

The rise of e-commerce has made it easier than ever to sell and purchase custom-designed t-shirts. However, the ease of online shopping has also opened the door to a wave of scams targeting unsuspecting consumers. Fake t-shirt companies often lure people with flashy ads, low prices, and promises of trendy designs. This article will help you understand common online t-shirt scams, how to identify a legitimate business from a fake one, and how print-on-demand (POD) services fit into the picture.

Common Online T-Shirt Scams

Fake Stores with Stolen Designs: These stores scrape artwork or designs from legitimate creators, offering them at low prices without compensating the original artists. Often using a fake profile page and similar user name. Once an order is placed, they often deliver poor-quality items or fail to deliver at all.
Low-Quality Products: Some fraudulent companies may deliver shirts, but they are often of low quality, with flimsy fabric and poor printing. The product rarely matches the images shown online, and customers are left with a shirt that fades or tears after just a few washes.
Bait-and-Switch Pricing: Many scam sites advertise shirts at incredibly low prices but tack on excessive shipping fees or hidden costs at checkout. You may think you’re getting a deal, but the final price can end up higher than expected.
Nonexistent Customer Service: If you experience any issues with your order, trying to get a refund or even contact customer service can be an exercise in frustration. Scam sites either offer no customer service or use evasive tactics to avoid providing refunds or exchanges.
Phishing Scams: Some fraudulent t-shirt websites are fronts for phishing scams. They are designed to collect personal information, such as your name, address, and credit card details, which can be used for identity theft or sold on the dark web.

How to Spot a Legitimate T-Shirt Company

Check Reviews and Reputation: Before buying from any online t-shirt store, check reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, Google, or social media. Avoid sites that have numerous complaints about undelivered items, poor quality, or customer service issues.
Look for Contact Information: A real business will have clear contact information, including an email address, phone number, and physical address. Scam sites often hide this information or provide generic, unverifiable contact details.
Test Their Social Media Presence: Legitimate companies often maintain active social media accounts with genuine customer interactions. Check if the brand engages with its followers and if people are tagging them with real photos of the t-shirts they’ve received.
Verify the Website’s Domain Age: Use domain lookup tools like WHOIS to see how long the website has been active. Scammers often use recently created domains with short lifespans. If the domain was registered just a few months ago, proceed with caution.
Secure Payment Options: Avoid sites that only accept bank transfers, cryptocurrency, or wire services. Legitimate companies should offer secure payment gateways like PayPal, credit cards, and other traceable payment methods.

Print-On-Demand (POD) Services – The Legitimate Side of Custom Tees

Many legitimate online t-shirt businesses use print-on-demand (POD) services. This model allows companies to print shirts only after an order is placed, reducing inventory risks and offering flexibility in design. However, because of the ease of setup, scammers often exploit POD platforms to set up fake stores. Here’s how to differentiate between a genuine POD business and a scam:

Integration with Trusted Platforms: Many POD businesses operate through established platforms like Teespring, Printful, or Redbubble, which offer consumer protections. If the store operates on one of these platforms, check the platform’s reviews and return policies.
Quality Assurance: Reputable POD services will have quality control measures in place. They may offer customer reviews on product pages, show real photos of their items, and be transparent about their materials and printing methods.
Return and Refund Policies: Trustworthy POD companies will offer clear return and refund policies. If there are no options for returns or exchanges, or the policy seems deliberately vague, that’s a red flag.
Design Variety and Originality: Authentic POD t-shirt businesses often showcase a variety of unique designs, frequently working with independent artists. If the designs appear to be generic or stolen, you may be dealing with a scammer who’s exploiting the POD model for fast cash.

Protecting Yourself When Buying T-Shirts Online

Use Secure Payment Methods: Always pay through secure and traceable methods like credit cards or PayPal. These platforms often offer buyer protection, which can help you recover your money if you’re scammed.
Research Before Purchase: Spend some time reading reviews, checking the company’s website, and verifying the legitimacy of their social media profiles. The more information you have, the better you can avoid fraudulent sellers.
Check for HTTPS: Ensure that the site has a secure HTTPS connection (look for the padlock icon next to the URL). This guarantees that your information is encrypted and secure during transactions.
Start Small: If you’re unsure about a company, consider placing a small order first to test the quality and reliability of the service before making a larger purchase.

To wrap it up

Online t-shirt scams are increasingly common, knowing how to spot them can save you both money and frustration. By researching companies, looking for signs of legitimacy, and understanding how print-on-demand services work, you can safely navigate the world of custom t-shirt shopping and avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes. Stay vigilant and informed to enjoy your online shopping experience without the fear of scams.

Michael Winchester
Owner – Headstones and Hearses
A legitimate seller of print-on-demand products

Michael Winchester

Website developer, field recordist, instrument builder.
With a background in art and design for the music industry (websites, micro-sites, AdWords admin, and even apparel design) I bring a unique skillset to SEO and website marketing. This fresh approach to corporate and construction-related web projects helps my clients to stand apart and genuinely challenge the competition.

My goal here at The-Link-Builders is to help my clients better understand different aspects of the SEO work I do and how it relates to overall website development; I write short, easy-to-digest articles on search engine optimization and website performance-related topics.

In my free time, I enjoy field recording, sound design, and building unusual musical instruments.

Michael Winchester is a website developer and search engine consultant in Southern California.
Michael Winchester Design | (562)283-5688

michaelwinchester.com