Americans from Maine to Texas are in for a rare treat on April 8, 2024, when a A total solar eclipse Will be seen in most parts of the US.
In precedent days, eclipse watchers thought they were watching the sun eat. The wolvesa The dragon or a Devil.
Of course, we now know that the sun is just not really eaten during an eclipse. Instead, it does what it all the time does: rain down ultraviolet rays on every thing in its path. That's why it is best to never watch a solar eclipse without protective glasses.
But not only any fountain will do. To make sure that you enjoy the entire solar eclipse safely, the American Astronomical Society has specially warned against Buy eclipse glasses at lowest price from online marketplaces like Amazon or eBay.
What gives? Why not save a buck on something you'll probably only use once for a couple of minutes?
It turns on the market's a excellent reason for this: Fraudulent counterfeit products have infiltrated the retail supply chain. And a few of them might be dangerous to your health.
Invasion of counterfeit products
I as experts Supply chain managementwe all know that counterfeit products have change into a growing problem in recent times.
While counterfeit products might be found at brick-and-mortar stores, they're an especially big problem in online marketplaces. Amazon removed more than 6 million fake items from its supply chain only in 2022.
There are variety of reasons for this. First, our recent research shows that Consumers often consider the reputation of an online retailer. When evaluating the standard of a product. Unscrupulous third-party sellers can reap the benefits of this fact by selling their goods through a good online marketplace.
Another complication arises from the success services offered by some marketplaces, corresponding to Amazon, where third-party sellers send their goods on to the web retailer's warehouse for shipping and handling. These sorts of success services offer retailers a little-known advantage: if a product is running out of stock, They can “borrow” from a third-party seller's inventory..
Unfortunately, this also signifies that a consumer who agrees to purchase from a retailer may very well receive goods – perhaps counterfeit – from a third-party seller. While there are not any statistics showing how often this happens, There is proof This is a crucial issue.
Thankfully, customers have gotten more aware of counterfeit products and are increasingly forcing online retailers to separate inventories of authorized sellers of merchandise from those who are usually not. For example, Amazon maintains an inventory of “GatedBrands, corresponding to Asics and Under Armour, that require permission before being sold.
But these considerations don't apply across the board. In fact, some counterfeit-prone brands, e.g Birkenstock, some online retailers refuse to sell their products altogether. This opens the way in which for counterfeiters, who offer rock-bottom prices.
That's why the American Astronomical Society advises eclipse-watchers to avoid buying safety glasses from the lowest-priced sellers on online marketplaces. And we completely agree. After all, fake sunglasses can come back, however the damage to your eyes is everlasting. In 2017, a California man was found to be wearing counterfeit glasses. Left with retinal damage.
How to search out protected eclipse glasses
If you're out there for eclipse glasses, getting a protected pair isn't hard. First, buy directly from certainly one of the American Astronomical Society Approved list of brands and manufacturers is essentially the most reliable method. Unfortunately, a lot of them just sell low-cost, disposable eclipse viewers in bulk.
If you wish a single pair, your next best choice is to purchase in person at a big brick-and-mortar chain retailer. There are also many organizations. Free viewership. If you do get one, it is best to make sure that it was made by a manufacturer listed with the American Astronomical Society.
If you need to buy from a web-based marketplace, search for evidence of the manufacturer's authorization. For example, American Paper Optics – an American Astronomical Society approved brand – maintains List of Amazon sellers Approved for resale to your audience.
What should you've already bought something from an unnamed seller on Amazon? Let's say to procure a pair of sunglasses or eclipse glasses with UV protection. UV protection properties are difficult to confirm. Sure, there are standards and certifications like UV400 and ISO 12312-2, but as you've probably guessed, they will also be faked. For example, you'll be able to easily buy entire rolls of UV400 stickers online.
Thankfully, most local ophthalmologists can. Check the UV protection properties of your sunglasses in seconds.. In other words, when unsure, confirm.