Thread: Can you spot a fake Ergo?

How to spot a counterfeit Ergo. According to one poster on this blog her 'real' Ergo was purchased on Babysteals and matches the counterfeit one.

ETA: It just goes to the main site. You have to got to Blog and then scroll down to find the post about the fake Ergo.

Here's a better link Anna: http://thehumbledoula.wordpress.com/...-baby-carrier/

This one is good too:http://thehappyhoopywooljunkie.blogs...y-carrier.html

I studied both of these before I bought my ergo last week. Turns out I bought a fake anyways! I was lucky to buy it used locally and the woman took it back and gave me back my money.

Originally Posted by Heatherbella

I studied both of these before I bought my ergo last week. Turns out I bought a fake anyways! I was lucky to buy it used locally and the woman took it back and gave me back my money.

EEK! I hate hearing stories like this, but I know it's common. It used to be fairly easy to spot the differences, but each year with more Ergos being seen it's becoming harder and harder. These fakers are getting good.
I have no issue with WAHM carriers (when made properly and keeping safety standards in mind), but don't try and bank money on someone else's name! I know Jan at Sleeping Baby Productions has had some issues with people making her ring slings and then selling them claiming that they're their own creation (not true) or saying that they are actual SBP ring slings (also not true since Jan didn't make it). There are also fake Bobas and Beccos going around, but they're not nearly as common. A few years ago Kozy mei tai were HIGHLY copycatted and sold as actual Kozy Mts without nearly the same standard of safety. *sigh*

Thanks Heather! It's crazy how good those fakes are. Unfortunately, I can't get my money back for my fake, but hopefully someone else won't buy one of those fakes!

You're pretty sure yours is a fake too? Sorry to hear this. I would just keep using it doing stress tests to make sure it's holding up. My main concern with a fake carrier is safety.

I wonder if there's any difference in the body size and hood size ever between the real and fakes........

I've heard that the bottom clips on the fake Ergos can sometimes let go...which means your baby will fall out. Personally I wouldn't trust one, but that's me. I'll pm you a link to my pics.

What is wrong with people!? That humble doula link is great.

Just to possibly set your mind a bit at ease about safety, the bottom buckle on my real Ergo did give out (at least I assume it's real...it's not here for me to look at right now, but it's an older hand me down and had already been through a couple of kids, and all of the things I can remember from looking at those websites seem right) and nothing bad happened. I just felt/heard a weird snap, and suddenly DD felt looser/lower. I felt around to see what had happened and could tell immediately that the buckle had broken, but only one prong snapped so it didn't come completely apart right away, just kind of sagged. I was able to set her down safely and just take the thing off...then I emailed Ergo and they sent me a new buckle! (and yes, both buckles did say STEALTH on them...I remember because I thought it was kind of hilarious. But apparently that's not a total guarantee!)

I'm glad to hear your DD didn't fall out of the Ergo when the clip snapped. I guess that elastic safety strap is there for a reason! I wouldn't be super concerned about my 2.5 year old falling out as she is pretty rough and tumble....it's the infants I worry more about.

I was going to ask if the fake had the elastic strap like the real ones! ANY SSC can have a buckle failure from use, warping, etc.

Originally Posted by alwayssmile

I was going to ask if the fake had the elastic strap like the real ones! ANY SSC can have a buckle failure from use, warping, etc.

My fake one had the elastic strap, yup.