Identify Fake Toms Shoes
TOMS is an organization that donates a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair of TOMS shoes you purchase for yourself. When you are sold a pair of fake TOMS shoes, a shoe donation will not be made to a child in need. There are a number of ways to identify whether you have a pair of counterfeit, or fake, TOMS shoes in your possession; based on the venue through which you purchased the shoes, the manufacturing information printed inside the shoes, and more.
Steps
- Verify that the seller is an authorized TOMS retailer. If you purchase TOMS shoes from a dealer or retailer not authorized to sell TOMS products, the shoes are most likely counterfeit.
- Visit the TOMS website featured in the Sources section of this article to access retailer information for TOMS shoe dealers in your local area.
- Scroll to the bottom of the website and click on the "Find a Retailer" link in the bottom, right corner.
- Select your country and postal code, then click on the "Submit" button. The website will then display a list of retailers in your area that sell authentic TOMS shoes.
- If you do not have Internet access, call TOMS customer service at 1-800-975-8667 to find the nearest authorized TOMS retailer.
- Purchase TOMS shoes from authorized retailers or from the TOMS website. If you purchase TOMS shoes from other sources, they may be fake.
- If you purchase new or used TOMS shoes from an online auction website or web store, review return policies and warranty information to protect yourself in the event you receive fake TOMS shoes.
- Browse the TOMS shoe collection at an authorized retailer in your area. This will help you become more familiar with the look and feel of authentic TOMS shoes and assist you with identifying fake TOMS shoes in the future.
- Inspect the TOMS shoes by observing their labels, insoles, shoe boxes if applicable, and bend the shoe gently to test its flexibility.
- Browse the TOMS website to view pictures of all TOMS shoe styles. The TOMS website will display every design, color, and TOMS shoe styles being sold.
- Visit the TOMS website provided in the Sources section of this article and browse to any shoe category.
- Click on the "Details" button below any shoe style.
- Roll your cursor over the picture of the shoe to see an enlarged snapshot, then click on photos of each angle provided to view the shoe in its entirety.
- Inspect TOMS shoes from unverified retailers or sources to determine their authenticity.
- Attempt to remove the insole from the shoe. The insoles of TOMS shoes should be sewn in, and should not come out easily. In addition, the insole may not match the inside contours of fake TOMS shoes.
- Determine if the inside of the shoes have built-in arch support. If the insoles are flat and do not contain mounds to support the arches of your feet, the TOMS shoes are most likely fake.
- Ensure that the size printed on the inside of the shoe matches with the actual size of the shoe. For example, if you are a women's size 7, but the shoes you try on in your size are far too large or fit a woman who wears a size 8, the shoes are probably fake.
- Verify the shoes' country of origin. TOMS has 5 manufacturing sites that are Argentina, China, Ethiopia, India and Kenya. Carefully review your pair to make sure that they are made in one of the listed manufacturing sites above.
- Look for the "One for One" slogan imprinted inside the shoe. Fake TOMS shoes may not feature the TOMS slogan anywhere on the shoes or on the shoe box.
- Verify that a pattern exists on the inside walls of the shoes. The inside fabric of TOMS shoes will contain a pattern such as stripes or animals. If no pattern exists inside the shoes, they may be counterfeit TOMS shoes.
Tips
- Use the TOMS website as your main resource in determining if the TOMS shoes in your possession are fake. The website contains a catalog of every existing TOMS shoe design and style. If your TOMS shoe style does not exist on the website, it is most likely counterfeit.
- Look at the little tag to the side.
