Got any TVs, DVD or Blu Ray Players under the tree this year? Well, chances are pretty good you need an HDMI cable to go with your purchase. Don’t spoil the thrill of the gift by realizing as the gift is being opened that you are missing it. You didn’t know this but your local Walmart or Radio Shack carry the Monster Cable Basic HDMI cables that should satisfy your needs.
Here is something you don’t want to do though: Get your cables from less than reputable places. Seriously,a cable is not a cable and you can get ripped off by buying counterfeit cable. Here are some tips, courtesy of Monster Cable, on how to avoid counterfeits:
1. Avoid Market Places, Auctions and Classifieds
Most counterfeiters are looking to make a quick move and jump on to the next product or place. Nothing is easier than setting up an auction, putting a product on a marketplace for a major retailer or running a classified ad and unfortunately since major sites like eBay and Craigslist don’t see the products people post on their site, they can’t verify if they are real or fake. Our advice is to always avoid these sites when you’re shopping from an online store, even a big one. Make sure to check that your purchase comes straight from the retailer (i.e. Amazon.com) and not someone selling through the website marketplace.
2. Our Factories Don’t Sell Direct
One of the biggest stories counterfeiters use when customers ask about their great prices is that the products they sell come directly from the factory with no middleman. The truth is that the only way to get a product from a major brand’s factories directly is to steal it, and even that’s a very rare occurrence these days. Generally when someone says they got it direct what they really should be telling you is that they got it direct from the factory selling fakes. Another sign that a seller is selling fakes is when they offer you support or a warranty. It is important to remember that authorized dealers don’t offer manufacturer support or warranties.
3. Look for typos, grammatical errors, poor photos and “Special Edition” products
Often the best way to tell something is wrong is simply by looking at the product descriptions and images. If you notice typos, poor quality or inconsistent photos or even confusing messaging like a headphone advertised on a cable page, there’s a good chance it comes from a counterfeit or unauthorized seller located outside your area. Similarly, websites that look like they were quickly put together or have lots of broken pages are a big red flag. If you see “Special Edition” products or products that aren’t listed on the manufacturer’s official website – they are more than likely fakes.
4. Double check the URL of any website from which you are considering a purchase
These days counterfeiters aren’t just copying products; they copy entire websites and use names that may be just a letter or two different from the real thing. Be sure that you have double-checked the URL of the page you’re viewing and that everything looks to be in order. Monster maintains a full list of authorized websites on our site but we also have a blacklist of sites to avoid, be sure to review both to be sure where you’re buying from is legit.
5. If it seems too good to be true, ask the makers
Everyone wants a great deal, but when you see a product for 50, 60 or 70%-off on a website, step back, take a second look and proceed with caution. Counterfeit sellers lure customers in with unbelievable offers that get you to jump before the deal “runs out”. They’re counting on you to be so excited that you set reason aside. Don’t fall for it; a simple check of our authorized dealer list is often enough to know if the site is legitimate or not. If you’re still stuck just drop us a note and ask on Facebook, Email or our Blog.
Those are great tips for making sure you get the best quality your money can buy.
Here are a couple of gift ideas you may want to consider. First, if you are buying any devices with a screen (and that includes TVs or smartphones) you want to check out this ScreenClean product. Monster Cable sent me a set of this and I am so thankful! My kids leave my phone filthy when they are done playing with it. It is disgusting! It was so nice to clean the screen properly again.
Finally, if you are wondering what to get to the woman in your life who has it all or maybe you just really want tog o that extra mile. Check out these Monster® Butterfly™ by Vivienne Tam with ControlTalk™ High Performance In-Ear Headphones. They are gorgeous! But they sure are spendy! But they are the top of the crop: comfortable fit and high quality sound.
Win It!!
One lucky CSwM reader will win both the Monster Cable HDMI Cable and the Monster ScreenClean Kit.
Here is how to enter:
1. Leave a comment.
For additional entries:
- Follow me on twitter and tweet the following (copy/paste): Stop by commonsensewithmoney.com for a chance to win a Monster Cable Prize Pack . Go here to enter https://bit.ly/i5VEZj #wingiveaways
- Like Common Sense with Money on Facebook.
If you are reading this entry on your RSS reader or email newsletter make sure to CLICK HERE to enter this giveaway. Emailing me is not a valid way to enter this giveaway. This giveaway is open to residents of the US 18 years and older. This giveaway ends 12/13 at 3PM EST
For more chances to win, enter this giveaway at these other blogs:
- Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
- Bargain Briana
- Coupon Cravings
- Frugal Coupon Living
- Mommin It Up
- Moms Need to Know
- Passion for Savings
- Saving Cents with Sense
- Southern Savers
- Stretching a Buck
- The Savings Lifestyle
This giveaway was sponsored by Monster Cable as part of Win Giveaways Holiday Bash. This Post was written by me and was not edited by the sponsor. Read more on my disclosure policy. Find more information on the terms for this giveaway on the Win Giveaways Facebook page.
This is a great giveaway idea. It would be nice to win.
We really need this. Thx.
I follow by RSS
I would love to win these.
We are finally updating our TV and could use this! 🙂
I follow CSWM on FB
Great tips!
enter me, please!
These Monster products sound great!
I follow Common Sense with Money on Facebook
Would love to win…
I really want to win this one.
would love to win!! I am a FB fan
would love to win!
Great giveaway
I like Common Sense with Money on Facebook
I am a subscriber
My husband would love this.
Thanks for the helpful tips.
great giveaway! hope to win for my hubby!
I am a Facebook fan.
I follow and tweeted https://twitter.com/trishhall79/status/12893914914623489
Monster Cable would be greatly appreciated. My son could use this. Mahalo.
I subscribe to the email updates
Woud love to win
Thanks for hosting all these giveaways!
I subscribe via email
I like your page on fb
Getting a new HDTV for my son for Xmas. These would go great with that.
Great prize
I would love to win this!!! We are getting a new TV and could really use it. Also, the screen cleaning kit would be incredible to use with our new TV and our existing one!!! My husband would also be thrilled!! This is such an awesome website!
I would love one of these. I need one so bad for my computer!
Thanks
I would love to win this
Sorry my name is Heather. Sometimes I really hate autofill arrrgggh
Wow this prize would really make my mom happy this year. it would go along perfect with some of the new gadgets she will be getting this year.
google reader subscriber
This prize rocks!!
My hubby would be so happy!
This was on my christmas list
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Would love to win!
Thanks for the giveaway!
facebook fan
My husband will want this.
I like you on facebook
Great Product! I have 3 flatscreens that need to be hung
I get your emails
I would love to win this!
Thanks for the giveaway! Great guy gift!
I follow on Twitter & sent tweet about giveaway @JulsB20
I like Common Sense with money on facebook
I subscribe to emails
I’m a facebook fan!
I would love to win this for my husband
I follow you on twitter @butterflies0218 and tweeted this giveaway
Great giveaway. Thanks for the chance.
I am already a fb fan
I am a RSS subscriber with Google Reader
can always use extra hdmi!
i subscribe via rss
I’m a subscriber
i like you on facebook
I love your fun givaways!
Would love to win this.
I would love to win this for my husband
I am an email subscriber
I like you on FB
Thanks for the chance to win.
I get your daily emails. Thanks.
My Hubby would love this!
It would be so great to win this!
Love this site..thank you for helping me stay within budget!
Love this giveaway!
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Monster!
Would love to win
facebook fan
Subscribe to RSS feed
I would love to win this.
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Please count me in!!! Hope to win!
Thanks for a chance to win.
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I subscribe to your newsletter
great giveaway
Cool, this would be a great gift for hubby
sub via google reader
It’s one of those things you just don’t think about! Thanks!
your facebook fan
My mom and dad bought my hubby a blue ray for Christmas, so I’m sure this will come in handy, Thanks! 🙂 🙂 🙂
I desire cable. :>
I wish I could win these. They would so go with my butterfly earrings!
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follow by RSS, hope to win!
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Follow you on twitter @artyh83
https://twitter.com/artyh83/status/12940683740450816
Hope I win!
like CSWM on FB
rss subscriber
This would be awesome!
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oooo, I need one of those 😉
I’m a subscriber.
Would be a great Christmas present for my husband!
I’m a facebook follower of CSWM
This would be great to go with the blue-ray player we bought. Thanks for the giveaway.
I am a facebook fan.
I am an email subscriber.
We could use some cables for our new Blu Ray player that Santa is bringing
I’m a facebook fan
I subscribe to your rss feed
Thanks for making sense!
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I subscribed to Common Sense:) Thank you.
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Could use with a new tv
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Email subscriber
I would love to win this!
I subscribe via rss
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I’m a fan on facebook
i really need this for my LCD
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This looks very interesting.
email follower
Cool giveaway, thank you so much!!
thanks for all the great tips and another giveaway!
my hubby would love
email subscriber
facebook liker of you
tweeted @tiptonmom
Happy Holidays to you and your family! Thank you for all the great deals, coupons and bargains this year!
this would be great to win hdmi cables are so expensive
I subscribe to your email
i like you on facebook
I would love to win!
I “Like” you on facebook.
I subscribe via email.
Boy, do we need these. Ones we got are on their last legs. No where near as nice as the ones posted here.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity to win.
well now thats something i could use!
This would certainly be helpful as we are trying to rewire our television at the moment!
I’m a facebook fan.
I’m an email subscriber.
I’d love to win. My fiance has so many electronics, we could definitely use this!
Amy Lauren
proudpatriot2007(at)yahoo(dot)com
Also, I subscribe by RSS/Google Reader.
Amy Lauren
proudpatriot2007(at)yahoo(dot)com
And I am a facebook fan.
Amy Lauren
proudpatriot2007(at)yahoo(dot)com
My husband has been eyeing this in the store. It would be a nice surprise to win it for him.
I “like” your Facebook!
I also subscribe to CSWM via email.
got a new HD tv under the tree. Thank you Black Friday!
i have new tv no cables 🙁
Would love to win!
Please send this to me! 🙂
I could use that cable!
Should have been “Subscribed via RSS”
Followed/tweeted https://twitter.com/famew0lf/statuses/13018454672019457
Liked on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001404724138
I would like to win this for my husband!
I follow you on twitter @jwatson50
https://twitter.com/jwatson50/status/13027759014023169
I like common sense with money on Facebook!
I subscribe to your emails!!
thanks for the giveaway
i like/follow on facebook
i subscribe via rss
hubby would be so happy if I would win this
follow and shared on twitter as Amber01sw
https://twitter.com/#!/amber01sw/status/13040125940342784
i like you on fb as Amber Lusk MacDonald
i get ur emails
I think my husband would be pretty thrilled!
https://twitter.com/#!/MrsH620/status/13046329697636352
I follow you on facebook.
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I’m a FB fan 🙂
I receive your emails:)
Thanks for the great contests!!
*crossing my fingers that I win*
Would love to win these great monster products.
email subscriber
I follow on facebook.
This is a great giveaway! Thanks for the chance!
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I subscribe to emails.
Would love to win this, the earphones would be a perfect give for my BFF!
My husband would love this Monster cable.
I followed you on twitter and tweeted giveaway @joycemlinek.
I like you on fb.
I subscribe to your e-mails.
I would love to be able to give this with the TV that we got my Mom and Dad for Christmas!
Those earbuds are SO cute!
I am an email subscriber
Monster cables are great!
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I am an Email subscriber
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I liked you on FB
Would love to win! My husband has been trying to get me to buy a HDMI cable for quite a while, but they are just so expensive!
Following and tweeted! https://twitter.com/#!/mae_01_sw/status/13082132096229376
I like you on facebook!
I am a subscriber!
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This would be great for my new TV
I’d love to win this one!
I tweeted about the giveaway.
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RSS subscriber.
Sounds like neat products.
I like you on facebook
I get your emails
thanks for the giveaway
I like you on FB
I subscribe to your RSS feed
Thanks for all of the great advice! And thank you for hosting this giveaway! 🙂
hubby would use this!
Would love to win this! thanks!!
tweeted!
https://twitter.com/sworley82/status/13119000414261248
like you on facebook !!
Get your daily emails !!
Follow on twitter and sent a tweet
This cables are great
i subscribe to your email
Thank you for reposting those tips. So authorized dealers don’t offer warranty because the manufacturers already do, usually 1-3 years, like BOSE. (Does this post count as an entry?)
This would make a great gift for my husband
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I like you on FB
I subscribe to your email
This would be a wonderful Christmas gift!
I’m a Facebook Fan!
I’m subscribed via email.
I would love to win.
My husband will love this one.
This is so cool – thanks very much for the opportunity to win.
Happy Holidays.
I receive your emails.
Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
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My husband would appreciate this. I leave all these technical things to him!
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I’m an email subscriber!
My husband could definitely use one of these. great giveaway- thanks!
We are actually in the market for a new hdmi cable so this would be great!
I follow on FB. 🙂
I’m an email subscriber, too. 🙂
My husband would love this.
I follow you on twitter and tweeted. https://twitter.com/#!/bobbysgirl703/status/13295514258771968
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I subscribe to your RSS feed through yahoo reader.
Would love to win this for my husband!!
follow you on twitter @jenh84
https://twitter.com/jenh84/status/13325259088334849
I like common sense with money on facebook!
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My husband loves this stuff!
this would be great to win….we just got a blu-ray player.
Would love to win!!
I tweeted!!! 🙂
I like you on facebook!
I’m an email subscriber!
I could really use the screen cleaner!
I subscribe to the e-mail.
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Thanks for offering this giveaway. Good luck to everyone.
I am an email subscriber.
I follow you on Facebook.
I like your Facebook page.
I would love to win!
I subscribe via RSS.
My husband thinks MonsterCable is the ONLY cable to use, he’d love this.
Man, my hubby would LOVE more Monster Cable; can never have too much. Thank you for offering this!
I am most definitely already an email subscriber! 🙂
would love to win this
I am an email subscriber
my husband really like this brand!
my husband would really like this
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this would be great for my husband
subscribe to your email updates
i am a fan of common sense with money on facebook
Would love to win–thanks!
Great giveaway!!
I like you on fb.
I would love this!
I follow on Google Reader
I’m a fan on Facebook
This would great for hookup the PS3 and laptops to the TV
Subscribe to your feed
oh i would love to win this … we live in an apartment and cant put the wires in the wall 🙁
I would love to win this!
i subscribe to your emails
I like ya on facebook!
I just retweeted this post 😉
Let us win.
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Tweeted about it on Twitter.
I am a fan of yours on Facebook.
I subscribe through an RSS reader.
Thanks for the great giveaway!
My husband would love this!
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email subscriber
I like you on fb
I would love to win!
I subscribe to your rss feed
Thank you for the opportunity to win!
Hope I win!
Hmm, I’m thinking we have a screen or two or three that could use a good cleaning!
My husband would love this,,Thanks for a great giveaway.
Would love to win!
I follow by email subscription.
I follow you on Facebook
I follow you on Twitter and tweeted the message above
I also “liked” you on facebook
Thanks for all the giveaways!
email subscriber
I like Common Sense with Money on Facebook.
Monster cables are supposed to be the best around! We could always use one.
I get your daily emails.
Great Giveaway 🙂
I like you on FB
I receive your emails
Wonderful Giveaway 🙂
I like you on FB
I receive your emails
I subscribe to CSwM daily emails.
I am a Facebook Fan.
Hope to win!
I am a fan on Facebook, too!
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I ‘like’ you on Facebook, and I shared.
I follow you on Twitter, and I tweeted about your giveaway.
My husband would be able to wire the TV in the spare room with this!
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I am also an email subscriber.
wow this is a great giveaway.
follow on twitter and tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/bbgurrl83/status/14079283605544960
like on facebook
email subscriber
Great prize–we could really use it.
I subscribe to this blog’s RSS feed.
I love these give a ways!! Thanks!!!
Email subscriber.
I like you on facebook.
Great gift for my husband!
I subscribe to your feed!
I follow you on FB!
I’d love to win this prize!
I follow you on twitter – and retweeted 🙂
I receive your newsletter
I’m friends with you on facebook – and love all this info!
Comment
Subscribe via e-mail
My husband would extra love me for winning this!
I would win. Thanks
Follow fb. I meant to say I would love to win
Great giveaway, my husband would like this
I am an email subscriber
I follow you on twitter and tweeted @Just_Coupons
https://twitter.com/Just_Coupons/status/14232684138078208
I like Common Sense with Money on Facebook (fb name Just Coupons)
i would love to have this i have a small hd tv
im a fan on fb name erica best
im following yahoo feed
i tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/purplelover04/status/14237775683395584
My husband would be ALL over this! wow do we have a mess with old cables!
thanks!
Email subscriber!
thanks!
I LIKE you on Facebook!
eileen r.
tweeted this!
https://twitter.com/2sic2mooov/status/14263983087288320
thanks!
I could really use the HDMI cable, I’ve got some fun plans this year for Christmas
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com
Subscribe via google reader as hendy
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com
Follow you on twitter and tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/HendyMartin/status/14284439907467264
hmhenderson AT yahoo dOT com
My husband would love this.
I’m subscribed to your email
I signed up for your daily newsletter via email
I would love to win thanks for the chance!
chantal cooper
chantalgiardina (at) yahoo (dot) com
facebook liker
chantal cooper
chantalgiardina (at) yahoo (dot) com
I would love to win this giveaway.
I love the CSWM website and their posting for the amazing deals.
Thanks for the giveaway
fb fan
email subscriber