My SmartBuyGlasses order came pretty swiftly, packaged in a nondescript white cardboard box. The Max & Co sunglasses were safely wrapped in plastic and bubble wrap so it was in perfect condition. But while it was a pair of Max & Co sunglasses, it came with MaxMara cloth and case. So I contacted not just a rep from SmartBuyGlasses but also Max & Co and Safilo Group just to be on the safe side.
The sunglasses were in perfect condition:
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Here’s what you can do if you’re uncertain whether the eyewear you’ve purchased is authentic or not. If you’ve bought it from a site with a refund policy, there shouldn’t be an issue in getting your money back if you’ve verified that the pair you received isn’t genuine…
#1: Look out for any visible flaws on the product, in order to verify authenticity
My pair of Max & Co sunglasses were 100% perfect. No defects whatsoever. Branded eyewear should have received stringent QC checks to ensure they are in tip-top condition.
However, the cloth that came with it had frayed edges, like the cloth was cut using a pair of scissors by someone inexperienced at the task…
I’m not sure how this happened, and why the cloth was allowed to be sent out without anyone noticing the condition it’s in.
#2: Contact the brand
They found it “strange” that Max & Co sunglasses came with a MaxMara case. It could be a simple case of a mix-up by warehouse staff, maybe. I haven’t heard from SmartBuyGlasses yet, but when I do, I’ll update this post.
#3: Contact the manufacturer
If the manufacturer and the brand both say that SmartBuyGlasses is their authorized retailer, then yes, I feel more assured.
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Feel free to check out SmartBuyGlasses if you’re looking for branded eyewear. While I cannot vouch for the authenticity of the products (because mine came with certain issues, as listed above), I do think the sunglasses are of good quality.
Also, there’s a 10% discount (Check out their website for details on the ‘Youth Discount‘ offer) for students between 16 to 26 years old. If you have someone in this age group at home, why not enlist their help in your purchase? 
