Our markets are awash with shoddy imported consumer goods that shamelessly advertise themselves as legitimate stock. Just how if at all, can we learn to detect below standard wares?

Export racism?

I have assembled on my desk the following items: three different brands of dry cell batteries, a thermos flask (generally known as ‘premoose’ in Ethiopia – from Primus, an old British brand), a multi-band radio, and a DVD player. All are basic products that can be easily afforded by many Ethiopians and these, I feel, will demonstrate well the extent to which the average Ethiopian consumer is routinely defrauded by shoddy and below standard goods.
It is interesting to note that a very small percentage of manufactured goods available in the shops is of Ethiopian origin. However, these few domestically produced items in supermarkets and stores are by and large well made (candles are a notorious exception). Without dropping names, counterfeiting, false labeling, questionable expiry dates and other trickery is almost exclusively practiced by imports originating from a certain rising power. It is sad that the same exporter manufactures up to standard products of the same models and brands that I have arranged on my desk and thinks nothing of selling shadows of their genuine export to developing nations. This is nothing short of trade racism.
What are some of the ways through which we can identify the worst type of counterfeiting? Several come readily to mind but point of origin is the key and should be the first thing to look for. Many of the worst products omit to name country of origin. That is the first indicator of a bogus “manufacturer” that couldn’t dare print their nation’s name on an obviously disgraceful “export”.
Those that do display a country of origin mainly do so in clever ways that disguise to the unsuspecting consumer, exactly where they are made. ‘Japan Design,’ ‘Major Components from Japan’ and my favorite, ‘Made for Japan,’ are a few of the blatant misrepresentations.
So how does the clutter in front of me rate? Well, my DVD player has no country of origin, shows MP3 on the display panel, on its misspelt box and the hilarious manual but of course, doesn’t play MP3 files. The radio says it has 10 bands but actually has only A.M, F.M., S.W. 1, 2 and 3 – half of what it claims. This thermos flask I had just filled with steaming ….. oh no! it has turned to iced tea!

How do you spot fraudulent goods?

I think the Ethiopian authorities taxed with monitoring quality standards are not doing their job. How else can shoddy products overwhelm us to this extent?
A.K.
Student

Let not complain too much because it is primarily our own fault. Our country imports everything from sewing needles to wedding cakes and as long as the business community does not wakes up to the magic of import substitution, we will continue to fall victim at the hands of products from you know where.

Samrawit,
Frustrated Shopper

We are one of the poorest countries in the world and can’t afford products that meet international minimum standards and specifications. This and the fact that we are a favorite dumping ground for questionable Chinese products are factors that have condemned us to this fate.

C.H.
Lecturer