Buying ‘dupes’ of expensive items is all the rage. These are the products you should be careful when buying cheap.

• Inflation, growing demand, and TikTok have fuelled a rise in people buying cheaper “dupes” of expensive items.
• They range from deliberate imitations of designer clothing to cheaper versions of famous tech items.
• BI asked industry observers what to avoid when buying “dupes.”

Inflation, growing demand, and the boosting power of TikTok have all fuelled the rise of “dupe” culture — taking pride in purchasing cheaper alternatives to high-end products.

But buying “dupes” comes with risk. A 2023 survey by Trustpilot of 1,000 American Gen Z and Millenial adults found that 49% had been scammed while trying to buy a dupe.

In most cases, respondents said the item was either poor quality, damaged, or didn’t even arrive. In some cases, respondents said they’d needed medical treatment as a result of using what they’d bought.

Business Insider spoke with those experienced with dupes about what types of products to be cautious about or avoid altogether when looking for a bargain imitation.