Lots of counterfeit stuff lately.

[Chris142]

I guess I am old school and I dont see why someone would counterfeit oil filters and spark plugs..Doesn't seem to be much profit in it.

But then a few dollars to someone in China may be a good bonus to them?

I am to the point of paying more to buy things locally even though it costs more. I am beginning to think that the plugs I put in my mother in laws car were counterfeit.

 

[CDX825]

Amazon and ebay are full of the stuff. Its not just auto parts either.

 

[gman2304]

I am to the point of paying more to buy things locally even though it costs more

I’ve been at that point for years, but it’s getting harder and harder to do.

 

[02SE]

It's nothing new. If you want to help guarantee genuine products, buy from product approved retailers.

Some random ebay or amazon seller selling a product at well below the cost of a genuine product from an approved retailer, is likely peddling counterfeit products.

 

[eljefino]

The more pricey something is, IMO, the more likely it'll be fake. Iridium/ Ruthenium plugs for example. Same as a Prada purse.

 

[Trav]

It is not getting any better, power tools and batteries are a huge counterfeit market. I wait for sales at HD, Loews and authorized online retailers, ebay is okay for used and NOS from high rated sellers. Looking at the "about" in the sellers profile will give away their true location. Most ebay fakes will have "ships from CA" their true location is China and almost guaranteed to be a fake.

 

[Chris142]

Some random ebay or amazon seller selling a product at well below the cost of a genuine product from an approved retailer, is likely peddling counterfeit products.

I am afraid of buying things online with high prices.

 

[02SE]

I am afraid of buying things online with high prices.

That's why you buy from a brick and mortar product authorized retailer.

 

[IndyIan]

I am afraid of buying things online with high prices.

Well, the really low priced stuff is usually junk too!

 

[HemiBenny]

Amazon and eBay parts =

 

[wings&wheels]

Baffles me why someone would purchase any critical parts from other than a reputable retailer......

 

[daves87rs]

Baffles me why someone would purchase any critical parts from other than a reputable retailer......

Agreed! Just not worth the headache…..

 

[AZjeff]

Baffles me why someone would purchase any critical parts from other than a reputable retailer......

Understandable from a guy who lists 10 cars and an airplane. No disrespect. Some people need to try to save money where ever they can. It's rolling dice but sometimes no choice. Doing due dilligence as mentioned above can lessen the risk a little. Stuff is crazy expensive.

 

[wings&wheels]

Understandable from a guy who lists 10 cars and an airplane. No disrespect. Some people need to try to save money where ever they can. It's rolling dice but sometimes no choice. Doing due dilligence as mentioned above can lessen the risk a little. Stuff is crazy expensive.

None taken.

I see your point, but is rolling the dice w/ something inexpensive from eBay, etc. that has a good chance of being counterfeit vs. a lower priced bargain brand from a known entity the most efficient path? Granted some and maybe most counterfeits may be good enough, but considering the risk for damage and the costs, time (which has a value) and inconvenience of dealing w/ problems, I don't see the risk as being worth it...but others may.

 

[cptbarkey]

Just came back from vacation. Thailand has entire malls dedicated to fake goods. I picked up a few things as gifts, could not really tell the difference. It’s not going to stop, the malls were packed with shoppers of all nationalities.

 

[97prizm]

I

I guess I am old school and I dont see why someone would counterfeit oil filters and spark plugs..Doesn't seem to be much profit in it.

But then a few dollars to someone in China may be a good bonus to them?

I am to the point of paying more to buy things locally even though it costs more. I am beginning to think that the plugs I put in my mother in laws car were counterfeit.

It's a pain. Fifteen years ago or so I purchased GE microwave lightbulbs from the local Walmart. They lasted a month. I pulled them out and compared them to the original GE lightbulbs and I'm positive they were counterfeit. The stamping was rough and uneven they burned out after a month and the base was thinner. I mentioned to the manager and showed them.

 

[skyactiv]

I

It's a pain. Fifteen years ago or so I purchased GE microwave lightbulbs from the local Walmart. They lasted a month. I pulled them out and compared them to the original GE lightbulbs and I'm positive they were counterfeit. The stamping was rough and uneven they burned out after a month and the base was thinner. I mentioned to the manager and showed them.

I doubt they were fake. Large retailers like Walmart probably got shipments from GE fulfillment centers to Walmarts distribution centers in the old bulb days.

The original "GE" bulbs in the microwave were just better I bet. Lots of microwaves use to be/are made in S Korea under contract for the appliance makers.

I know from experience those little bulbs run hot and don't last long at all if you handle them with your bare hands. Oil from your fingers gets on the bulb, makes it run hot and greatly shortens the life. We all know that with headlight bulbs.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Where is everyone getting counterfeit stuff beyond ebay and amazon?

I order from Rock Auto, and check the ship from address. Every time its from a known auto parts wholesale warehouse, same place the B&M's get stuff from. Yes they can be a pain if there is a problem, but there literally half the price of local.

OEM - there are tons of legitimate online dealers selling OEM parts at 30-50% off from your local dealer.

 

[Rmay635703]

Baffles me why someone would purchase any critical parts from other than a reputable retailer......

“Electronics “ repair parts houses are almost 100% fake parts.

I belong to multiple vintage computer repair groups and sadly there is no way of knowing what you are getting. Sometimes the fake stuff works, other times it’s plastic bricks that resemble the part, other times half the parts are bad forcing a lot of extra troubleshooting.

At this point nothing you can do if you need a specific IC that is no longer produced or is only produced by a chicom

 

[Pablo]

Just came back from vacation. Thailand has entire malls dedicated to fake goods. I picked up a few things as gifts, could not really tell the difference. It’s not going to stop, the malls were packed with shoppers of all nationalities.

Same in China. Even the buildings are "fake" (infamous collapses over the years)

Demand is there, agree not going to stop. There are even some in China that are "secret" hahahaha, I was snuck into one for DVD's back in the day, large empty office building.......empty hallway, room off hallway, full of pirated DVD's a decent amount of people.