When is an Ugg not an Ugg?

The deal note looks at how to get the cheapest genuine UGG® Australia boots. Yet in Australia, the word Ugg is a generic term for sheepskin boots; Aussie folks have been making ugg-style sheepskin boots for over a century.

When people talk about ‘Uggs’ here in the UK, they’re often referring to the “UGG® Australia” brand made by a firm called Deckers; the ones all the celebs sport. Due to the popularity of Uggs, the internet is awash with dodgy sites and eBay sellers, selling knock-off Ugg Australias. These cheapo versions are usually lined with synthetic, rather than real sheepskin. All the sites in this note have been checked out and have good feedback from MoneySavers.

There are other legit brands out there though. If you’re not fussed about the posh logo, MoneySavers have given feedback that alternative brands, such as Kiwi Sheepskins, can be just as snug and comfy as UGG Australia. Kiwi Sheepskins start from £50 inc delivery.

How to check that boots are genuine UGG Australia

The famous UGG Australia brand is made by Deckers. If that's what, you're after there are ways to spot imposters.

• UGG Australia boots have a large middle G on the logo.
• They have real sheepskin fur inside: fakes often use synthetic.
• They are made in New Zealand, Australia, and more recently, China.
• If you want to check that a retailer is legit, email Deckers at info@uggaustralia.com and ask that retailer is licensed to sell UGG Australias.

There's an interesting explanation of the history of the Ugg trademark on Wikipedia.

Paying for goods from overseas

Using the right piece of plastic is the cheapest way to pay for goods from overseas sites, but make sure it's the right plastic; read the Spending Overseas article for details.

Credit cards are better than debit cards!

Spend on your credit card and you have more rights than you do on a debit card. This is all about Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act which makes the card provider jointly liable with the retailer if anything should go pear-shaped.

Pay for goods over £100 fully or partially on your credit card and if something goes wrong, you can simply make a claim directly against the card provider without having to contact the retailer at all. This counts for overseas purchases too. Read a full guide to Section 75 Protection.

Don't forget to factor in customs charges and delivery times

If you're new to overseas shopping, remember that items can take longer to arrive than those bought in the UK: often two to three weeks. You’ll also have to pay customs duty on goods coming into the UK from non-EU countries. There a full explanation on customs charges in the Buy from the US article. From experience, MoneySavers are being charged £20 to £25 in customs on Uggs.

What size to buy?

Finally, US shoe sizes differ to UK sizes. Use an Online Converter to check before you buy.