Counterfeit Clubs - BEWARE!!

[SpacklersEdge]

As of today about 3:00 pm the package has cleared US customs. I am really surprised it only took that long, 2 days from China to clear US customs. Maybe it shows up by Friday....more than likely next week though.

[FlopShotArtist]

Even though I bought my new SQ 3W from Sports Authority, I wanted to see if it was any trouble to check the serial number.

I called Nike Golf, and it probably took me less than a minute to check. If you have any doubt, CHECK THE SERIAL #! It might not make it 100% sure if it's real or not, but it has a lot to do with it.

Here is some phone #'s for you all.

Callaway 1-877-CALLAWAY (877-225-5292)
Taylor made 1.800.888.CLUB (2582)
Ping 1.800.4.PING.FIT (1.800.474.6434)
Mizuno 1.800.966.1211
Cleveland (800) 999-6263
MacGregor 800 842 4358
Nike Golf 888 799 6453

[SpacklersEdge]

I called USPS to inquire about the package, and learned it was sent via ExpressMail. Looking at the cost to send a 1.5 pound package from Chicago to China, he would have had to pay around 35 dollars or more to do this. He charged me $12. Package was delivered today, and is waiting for me to get home.

Anyone want to give the approximate odds it's real?

[teal]

Anyone want to give the approximate odds it's real?

Given he claims they are hard to come by in the US and that it came from China.... I give you one chance in 100 that it's real. Sorry but the story don't jive with what I see on the shelf here and elsewhere. Good luck.

[SpacklersEdge]

I got the club today. Immediately when I opened it, first thing I noticed was that the headcover was for an R7 CGB MAX. WRONG already. The club itself "looks" pretty good, but there are chinese characters on the packaging/labels on the club itself. Not something you would find on an authentic club. Called Taylormade right away, they verified the serial number is a fake. So, easy enough to verify that club is not real for my claim.

I wrote the seller back, told him I want a full refund via PayPal, or I will "open a claim due to fraudulent merchandise and contact the proper police". So, I am hoping he wants to avoid any of this and will refund the money, but I doubt it. So, if not I will have to wait out the appeal process, which I am sure will take a lot of time, in the meantime I will not be able to get the "real" version of the club until I can get the money back....sucks.

[teal]

Sorry man, I feel for you. I was at Dicks today. Burner Draw in HT for 200 bones. It was all I could do to not reach for the credit card. (still holding onto the Cameron dream)

[FlopShotArtist]

Ah, that sucks man. I hope the best in your quest for your money back. People like that need to go die in a hole.

[JeffG]

Yep, i'm an ebay victim. Bought 3 Titleist Vokey Wedges last year, didn't even know they were fake til I tried to sell them a month ago (always thought I just sucked with them...). I considered myself very ebay savvy, and still got scammed. Bought from a guy who was from and shipped from Texas, had 950 feedback with 99.7% positive, many other ebayers who bought the same wedges as I left positive feedback.

I was very lucky, ran across a newspaper article that talked about my seller and another were busted for counterfeit clubs, and it was headed up by Acushnet (parent company of Titleist for those who don't know). They contacted the TX Rangers and Frisco police and busted these guys. Got in contact w/ the Acushnet lady who deals with this stuff and she recommended I contact the seller directly. Emailed the guy, told him he better give me my money back or i'm contacting the detective working the case to add my name to the list...just thought i'd try it. Crazy enough, got an email back and said ship the clubs to this address and i'll give you a full refund. Shipped the clubs back, couple days later got a money order in the mail for the full price including shipping.

Be very careful out there, I was very very lucky.

[Doctorfro]

I have bought successfully several times on ebay. My last experience wasn't so good. I got a BB 3 wood for a "too good to be true" price but auction ended at weird time so I though maybe I just lucked out. But when payment processing was weird, then the seller's user name disappeared from online and I couldn't see the auction I knew I had problems. Then the shipment was coming from China when the item was listed as being in USA. When the club came I refused delivery. I then filed claim with ebay and paypal and explained that the seller misrepresented location of the item. Had I known it was coming from China I would never have bid citing Callaway's warning of counterfeit clubs. I then started email dialogue with seller simply asking for my money back. Seller was mad that they would lose out on shipping. I then offered to accept money back less $5 to defray shipping loss. This was successful and claims I filed were then cancelled. I figured I would pay $5 for a lesson learned.

There are reputable people to buy from on ebay and at this point that would be the only way I would buy. The big sellers and those whose long history is well documented with no previous auctions hidden. There's always a certain amount of risk buying on ebay because of club condition but you can sometimes get a nice deal on very unused equipment. Buyer beware!

[gills]

i'm sorry that has happened to you guys.

I received my club on Wednesday and played as well. It is real.

The ebay member is 'progolfdeals' if any of you are interested and i was able to get my TM R7 superquad for $240 insured shipped to me. He doesn't post pics of the actual clubs which worried me, but it is legit.

Good luck to all.

[SpacklersEdge]

I had not heard a single word for PayPal until today. Mind you I opened the incident before I even got the club in the mail. I am happy to report they have ruled in my favor! ALL of my money was returned to my PayPal account already, and I still have the club as well. This thing is going to get mashed at the driving range!!

[FlopShotArtist]

I had not heard a single word for PayPal until today. Mind you I opened the incident before I even got the club in the mail. I am happy to report they have ruled in my favor! ALL of my money was returned to my PayPal account already, and I still have the club as well. This thing is going to get mashed at the driving range!!

Light it on fire in a backyard pit. That'll be fun.

[joshtpa]

I definately agree that you should have received a refund, but you get to keep the merchandise too? What keeps people from claiming somthing is counterfeit to get free items? I forgot, there is NO RHYME OR REASON WHY PAYPAL DOES WHAT IT DOES!

[scooterguitar]

They do Josh. I've done tons in the music gear biz the past years and musicians can be shady characters. I've heard TONS of horror stories. Such as sending an item (on or off ebay and paying via PP), buyer claims it is not as described, etc. Then PP locks the sellers account and usually takes the item. Everything is in limbo for months and months and the seller (those with good intentions) get burnt. Vice versa as well. Scary, just be careful with who you deal with.

[joshtpa]

That is why I am glad I just stay away from it.

[FlopShotArtist]

If you're buying from ebay, buy from

TIMTHEPUTTERMAN

He sells stuff for ridiculously good prices and they are COMPLETELY LEGIT!! I just got my driver for $160+ship+tax when they go for alot more in stores.

[joshtpa]

Its good to know there are honest sellers.

[Cody]

Its good to know there are honest sellers.

Especially when you're cheap!