How to spot a fake brand-name item when you're shopping online

Spelling and grammar errors, or pixilated images can indicate that an online store is selling pirated copies or fakes of brand items. — Jens Buettner/dpa

Whether it's handbags, watches or T-shirts, if you're shopping online, it can be tricky to figure out whether you're buying products that are real name-brand items, or rip-offs.

The experts' advice is to compare the price of the goods before you hit the "pay now" button, says the European Consumer Centre Germany. If a store is selling brand-name goods for a price that's much lower than the official dealers do, then you should take a second glance.