Everything is potentially fake / counterfeit these days

[2strokeNorthstar]

This is getting ridiculous. Not only do we have to worry about autoparts, I got a Swatch on ebay and its fake. They are making fakes of cheap plastic watches. They are putting so much effort into a fake its ridiculous. The box, all the papers and everything looked almost perfect. Even a fake invoice was included. The invoice was for the wrong model so I got to investigating, taking the back off was the final confirmation. What a crazy world we are in these days. Even the knock offs are being knocked off.

 

[Taildragger]

You lost me at 'Swatch."

 

[cptbarkey]

There is an entire multi story mall in Bangkok (rumored to be run by the mafia) famous for selling nothing but knockoff goods. The higher you go in the building the cheaper things get. I picked up several gifts and had a great sit down lunch.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

You lost me at 'Swatch."

I figured it was a good example of how you can't trust anything. Basically on par with a Timex or Casio. We used to be able to assume the cheap stuff was authentic.

 

[doitmyself]

You lost me at 'Swatch."

https://www.google.com/search?q=Swa...SBwCgBwCyBwC4BwDCBwDIBwA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp

Yea, I know. As an old guy my first thought also was that he bought a fake fabric sample.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

https://www.google.com/search?q=Swa...SBwCgBwCyBwC4BwDCBwDIBwA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp

Yea, I know. As an old guy my first thought also was that he bought a fake fabric sample.

Didn't even think of that. Should have mentioned they are a fairly cheap watch that got popular in the 80s

 

[2heeldrive]

Unfortunately, eBay sellers cannot be trusted.

These shady sellers will be the end of eBay.

 

[SC Maintenance]

There is an entire multi story mall in Bangkok (rumored to be run by the mafia) famous for selling nothing but knockoff goods. The higher you go in the building the cheaper things get. I picked up several gifts and had a great sit down lunch.

What’s in a knock off lunch and how much did it cost? Inquiring minds want to know?

 

[cptbarkey]

What’s in a knock off lunch and how much did it cost? Inquiring minds want to know?

It was a chicken and shrimp biryani rice combo, with an orange lassi. Maybe about 10 bucks? I dont remember exactly. The upper levels also had several cafeteria style restaurants and communal seating, didnt care for that but the smells were irresistible.

 

[loneryder]

Maybe you have heard of Frontline Plus for fleas and ticks on dogs and cats. It was a big selling product and was counterfeited by some outfits in AZ. Everything looked exactly as it should. Home office execs couldn't tell the difference until they tried to open one. It was easy to open where the real product is hard to open. Of course whatever was in the pipette didn't bother fleas and ticks. This was 15+ years ago. I was amazed that someone would go to all the trouble and expense to counterfeit a flea and tick product. It was the number one product at that time.

 

[dubber09]

You bet, just last night after work I went to a fake store that looked very much like a Best Buy and got myself a watch that looked like a real Garmin Fenix 7X, they even have phone app for this real looking thing! but talk about how expensive everything got!!!! I still remember Bell & Ross I picked up in Vietnam some 15 years ago for a fraction of the price I paid last night!!!
Ok, sarcasm off.

 

[benjamming]

I'm more amazed that people still buy stuff on fleaBay & then are surprised that it's fake.

 

[JimPghPA]

I know someone who was in China and bought a fake Rolex. He knew it was a knockoff. He hardly ever wore it and it still broke in a few years. He showed it to me once after it broke. I looks brand new.

He knew before bying it, it was fake. So he has no complaints.

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

 

[Capt W]

Unfortunately, eBay sellers cannot be trusted.

These shady sellers will be the end of eBay.

Like almost everywhere else, "Caveat emptor!"

There is nothing inherently wrong with ebay (or Amazon); however, buyers have to do a little research before hitting the "buy now" button.

Look at the feedback, contact the seller, assess the price (too good to be true?), and ensure you're buying from a US seller. With Amazon, look in the right margin and ensure the item is sold by/shipped from Amazon (in lieu of some offshore third party).

Some of my best Mopar parts suppliers have ebay stores and are very legit. I've bought parts from some of them for 15-20 years with no issues. I've also bought and sold a dozen cars off ebay since 2001. Each transaction was flawless.

Do your homework.

 

[SeaJay]

For sure. Everyone wants a bargain and want to believe that they are smarter than the people and companies selling these products and can come out on top. A cat and mouse game where neither side holds any advantage for long.

You pay your money and take your chances.

 

[JavierH19]

I had to look up what a Swatch was. I wouldn't bother with it in the first place. I'd rather go to Walmart and pick up a Casio.

 

[RaymondP]

Less regrets when it's something non-critical, but when talking auto and other parts that compromise safety/reliability seems there should be consequences for the seller. I am moving to more dealership purchases for this reason, recognizing they are typically significantly more costly. Have purchased from Temu (not auto parts) and so far have been pleasantly surprised. More recently their pricing is close to regular, plus the delay in delivery so not worth the risk.

 

[JeffKeryk]

The Amazon fake NGK plugs are a low blow. I also got fake coils for our old Tundra.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Homework, homework, homework, and more homework. I've bought plenty of things off of Scamazon, E-bay, Walmart. But, you REALLY need to sit down, sometimes for hours, and research the parts you want. It pays off in the end. You will find the knock offs, but you have to research the company separately, read ALL the reviews....and really dig, dig,and dig. Who has time for all of this ??? A guy like me who is retired can research all day before hitting the " pay now" button. It's not fair, I'll admit that. My wife will say " Are you still on that computer ?!?!? " You've been on it for 3 hours !!!!!!......Homework, Research, Homework