Velcro versus Hook and Loop

[iamalwaysright]

So I have a listing that specifically says Hook and Loop. I don't use the word Velcro anywhere on there. I have no idea if it's really Velcro or not, so I err on the side of caution and I doubt that it is. I get a message from a buyer saying they "want to confirm that the item has Velcro and not Hook and Loop."

??? Is my listing active in bizarro world or something? Was my listing not clear? Regardless, that's not the point of my post here. The buyer's message just made me wonder, why would anyone even care if the attachment is Velcro vs Hook and Loop? I get that for many things having the name brand versus generic has it's advantages. But for something like this, really? Is Velcro that much better than standard Hook and Loop? If anyone is a Velcro salesman feel free to chime in.

[chapeau-noir]

I'm not a Velcro salesperson but I know a lot about fabric and notions. Velcro is the brand name for the hook and loop type of fastening. The last I read you can use the brand name Velcro, but you need to add the trademark symbol (®) so Velcro®. Velcro (®) is nuts about reg trademarks and have trademarked the most ridiculous stuff on their site, but there it is.

The individual may be wondering if the hook and loop has the Velcro® quality or not, and that's impossible to tell as most manufactured items using hook and loop don't have the Velcro mark anywhere, whether it's Velcro® or not. I only can tell if I'm using Velcro® if I actually purchase the name brand product at the dry goods store.

As for your last question - hook and loop is the same pretty much everywhere.

[mam98031]

You are wise to be very careful not to use Velcro.  

Isn't Hook and Loop a Uline product?  Or a quick internet search shows it is done by many companies.  It appears to be the same as Velcro.

I would just let your buyer know that it is as described and pictured in your listing.  As sellers we have to be pretty careful with that word as that company doesn't mess around about using it.

Good Luck.  Let us know how it goes.

[mam98031]

There are lots of brands that use Hook and Loop or produce hook and loop products.

Velcro is a word sellers have to be extra careful with because Velcro will come after a seller.

[chapeau-noir]

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@mam98031 wrote:

You are wise to be very careful not to use Velcro.  

Isn't Hook and Loop a Uline product?  Or a quick internet search shows it is done by many companies.  It appears to be the same as Velcro.

I would just let your buyer know that it is as described and pictured in your listing.  As sellers we have to be pretty careful with that word as that company doesn't mess around about using it.

Good Luck.  Let us know how it goes.

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Hook and loop is generic as far as I've ever seen. eBay has it as the alternative to Velcro® in their IS drop-down. Uline hook and loop is branded "Uline".

ETA: I described above how Velcro (®!!!) wants their name represented, and I've used just "Velcro" because sometimes I like to walk on the wild side, but it's better to use hook and loop unless the brand name is known.

[broto_64]

I get this sort of thing too, on rare occasion I get nasty feedback over it...
Unfortunately I'm not sure most people understand the difference between Velcro and hook and loop either.

[iamalwaysright]

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@broto_64 wrote:

Unfortunately I'm not sure most people understand the difference between Velcro and hook and loop either.

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Hm, interesting thought. But what's weird is that my listing doesn't use the word Velcro anywhere. It's like if you go to McDonald's and say "I want to confirm you guys have Whoppers and not Big Macs"

[iamalwaysright]

You know I just realized that most sellers use Velcro and Hook and Loop as either/or. Like it's either one or the other. When in fact Hook and Loop fully encompasses Velcro.

All Velcro are Hook and Loop, but not all Hook and Loop are Velcro. Could that be why the buyer is asking that question because I stated "Hook and Loop" in my listing? I might be overthinking trying to make sense of why the buyer would ask me that lol.

[chapeau-noir]

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@iamalwaysright wrote:

You know I just realized that most sellers use Velcro and Hook and Loop as either/or. Like it's either one or the other. When in fact Hook and Loop fully encompasses Velcro.

All Velcro are Hook and Loop, but not all Hook and Loop are Velcro. Could that be why the buyer is asking that question because I stated "Hook and Loop" in my listing? I might be overthinking trying to make sense of why the buyer would ask me that lol.

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You are correct, but the buyer may not realise that Velcro ® actually makes 'hook and loop' and they are the same thing. We're in the business and we know this, our buyers are not so they're not going to know.

[wastingtime101 · Accepted solution]

I read the message to mean the buyer does not know what hook and loop is.

They may be mistaking it for a hook & eye metal closure, which is confusing to them because the photos show what they know to be Velcro.

I would reply to the buyer and say "hook and loop" is the generic term and Velcro is a brand name, kind of like tissue is the generic term and Kleenex is a brand name. Then let them know you don't know if it's specifically Velcro brand, but is the same type of closure.

Edit to add: it's common for people to not be familiar with the term hook and loop.

[iamalwaysright]

Hey you might be onto something there. Since I don't use the word Velcro at all but there is a photo of the hook and loop attachment. That would make sense if the buyer doesn't know what hook and loop is and mistakenly knows it all as Velcro and in his eyes he's trying to correct me.

[iamalwaysright]

Hm, I just searched the buyer's name and notice that they actually bought this exact same item from me in April 2023 and they more or less asked the same question but worded differently.

[wastingtime101]

Odd. What did you say to them back then? Whatever it was, the answer was good enough for the buyer to follow through with that purchase.

[iamalwaysright]

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@wastingtime101 wrote:

Odd. What did you say to them back then? Whatever it was, the answer was good enough for the buyer to follow through with that purchase.

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The buyer simply asked if the attachment was like Velcro. I gave a one word answer "Yes". The listing still only said Hook and Loop back then. Not sure if it was the same listing number tho, but it was the same exact item.

[tobaccocardyahoo]

IMO opinion you have behaved responsibly with appropriate concern for the Trademark rights of Velco and your own safety.

Your buyer is ignorant or an idiot.

Whether you choose to take additional risk to enlighten the buyer is your choice. With proper wording, you can answer the buyer question in a manner which does not violate any IP rights and might satisfy him.

If the buyer is not ignorant but is an idiot, that will not remove all of the risks associated with doing business with him.

How hungry are you?