Originally Posted by doitmyself
Amkeer, please tell us how NGK confirmed your plugs were counterfeit.
In recent discussions here, it seems that members thought that Amazon was less reliable vs. Rock Auto for genuine plugs due to their respective business models. We recently discussed that Rock Auto uses the same supply warehouses that the big box auto stores (AA, Autozone,Oreilly, etc.). Yet, one member claimed he still got counterfeits from RA.
How do we know the suppliers that NAPA, Advanced, etc. uses supply genuine plugs any more than Rock Auto?
Edit: Mr. Nice, that Motorcraft video is scary. Almost impossible to discern the fake without having a genuine one to compare AND knowing what to look for.
You never will. I have dealt with this for decades overseas and inspecting facilities to certify them on large projects.
These companies have procurement departments that purchase sight unseen ( and most don't physically visit and certify the facility)- that's bad enough
Some countries (China, Korea, India, Pakistan and Taiwan that I know of) who make "legitimate" parts will also make bootleg components and sell them through fronts. ( often in the same facility or the one next door- all it takes is a few bills in the right hand and nobody knows anything)
They are also inserted at the freight forwarder and containers sawed open then welded and repainted leaving the seal intact ( one reason it takes a while to get through customs, LOL)
Then you have clone shops who buy, back engineer and then mass produce.
Depending on what it is, some are almost perfect copies except for individual serial or lot numbers. Others use lesser quality materials so they work but not as long.
All kinds of ways and even the most diligent of suppliers has them slip through from time to time