The Cost of Counterfeits: A Threat to American Small Businesses

As a small business owner in the USA, the impact of counterfeit products hitting the market is not just a statistic; it's a daily battle for survival. For the past year, our business, like many others, has been hit hard by the influx of counterfeit products flooding into the country from online marketplaces like Temu, Shein, AliExpress and platforms like TikTok shops. These knockoffs not only reduce our sales and cheapen our products but also tarnish our hard-earned reputation.

Since the beginning of 2024, I have personally submitted over 700 DMCA* takedown notices to marketplaces and webhosts against counterfeiters who are selling inferior copies of our products. These counterfeiters use our images and text stolen from our website and Etsy, attempting to replicate our hard work while providing customers with a subpar product. These knockoffs, made in China and shipped directly, bypass the safety measures we adhere to, such as ensuring our finishes are lead-free.

While these DMCA reports serve as a short-term solution, it often feels like playing whack-a-mole with fakes. Although marketplaces initially honor the DMCA takedowns and remove the offending items, they fail to prevent the seller from relisting them. This process is both exhausting and disheartening. However, we refuse to be defeated and will continue to fight against counterfeiters.

What many consumers—and regrettably, even some selling platforms like Etsy—may not realize is that we proudly manufacture our products right here in the USA, using American materials and employing local workers. Small businesses across the nation are the lifeblood of their communities, creating jobs and bolstering the local economy.

The impact of counterfeit products goes beyond just the bottom line. It erodes the trust and confidence that customers have in our brand. It's disheartening to see customers question the authenticity of our products when they are, in fact, original, genuine and made with care and pride.

Counterfeiting is not just a problem for small businesses; it's a threat to the entire economy. It's estimated that counterfeit goods cost the US economy billions of dollars each year and result in the loss of thousands of American jobs.

As a small business owner and a proud American, I urge consumers to be vigilant and support American businesses like ours. Every purchase of a counterfeit product is not just a lost sale for us; it's a blow to the entire economy and a disservice to hard-working Americans.

Shopping American gets you:

• Quality Assurance: Products made in the USA often adhere to higher quality standards compared to imports. Customers can expect better craftsmanship, durability, and reliability, which can result in longer-lasting products and greater value for their money. We offer 30-day returns and a 10 year warranty on most of our products. And we're just a friendly phone call away. 

• Supporting Local Economy: Buying American-made products helps support local businesses and communities. It contributes to job creation, fosters economic growth, and strengthens the country's manufacturing sector.

• Environmental Impact: American-made products often have a lower carbon footprint compared to imported goods, as they typically require less transportation. Buying local helps reduce emissions and supports sustainable practices.

• Safety and Labor Standards: Products made in the USA are subject to strict safety and labor regulations, ensuring that they meet high standards for consumer protection and fair labor practices. Customers can have peace of mind knowing that their purchases are ethically produced.

• Preserving American Heritage and Innovation: Supporting American-made products helps preserve traditional craftsmanship and promotes innovation. It allows businesses to continue developing new technologies and techniques, keeping the country competitive in the global marketplace.

Together, we can make a difference by choosing to support authentic American businesses. Let's stand united against counterfeiting and protect the integrity of American-made products.

Thank you for your support.

Danielle & Jason
The Metal Peddler
Celebrating 20 Years in Business!

*The DMCA, or Digital Millennium Copyright Act, is a US Congress act that provides protection for intellectual property on the internet (learn more at https://www.copyright.gov/dmca/). Despite being passed in 1998, it now lacks the necessary protections for businesses, artists, designers, and creators, and is in dire need of an overhaul to keep pace with the evolving digital landscape. I encourage you to reach out to your Congressmen to discuss their proposals for strengthening protections for US industry against counterfeiting and business espionage.