"24% of Golf Clubs Sold on EBAY are Fakes"

[kfowler]

I was reading one of my local store's spring mag this morning and saw an interesting quote. The survey found that 24% of all clubs sold on eBay are fakes.

I find that really hard to believe. I know counterfeits are a big issue but I don't believe it's that high on eBay. I've bought and sold clubs on eBay and never had an issue. Then again I wasn't really buying clubs that were likely to be fakes. For instance if someone's going to make a fake, they're going to make a the hottest TaylorMade driver, not a five year old hybrid.

What do you think? Is the problem really 24%?

Here's the link to my local shop with the full article. Page 12.

Carl's Golfland

[Meddle]

I doubt that's true, but if you buy from someone with a lot of positive feedback or one of the major sellers you'll be safe anyway.

[steve8820]

I would guess that the fake percentage is quite a bit higher than 24% on Callaway and Taylormade products sold on Ebay....... I've heard these brands make up the most fakes seen on Ebay.

[parplease]

I agree with one of the previous statements. Buying from one of the more reputable sellers with positive feedback greatly reduces your chances of being a victim on Ebay. I've purchased many a club. Nickent, Cleveland, even a few Scottie's. No issues as of yet. The only issue I've had is a 58 degree wedge I purchased was acutally bent to56 degrees. I ended up having it bent to 60 anyway. But it was an authentic club.

[bong_crosby]

are made up or completely wrong. Joking of course, but you get my point.

I doubt that 24% number. It sounds like a store-front retailer having a tough time competing against the new and used on-line market and trying to use some scare tactics to get you to buy from them.

I buy all my clubs on-line. You have to have your radar up; things like great feedback, a fair return policy, and such are what I look for.

[The Road Dog]

This sounds like the kind of reporting we see in Politics so often. You need to be able to ask questions to find out what the writer intends to portray as a "Fake". I'll bet they broadened the meaning to include any club that is made to look similar to another manufacturers product. When you understand that, the 24% number is probably very accurate. But the whole story is that thousands of people seek out non name brand knock offs and that is what they want. The so called fakes satisfy a market demand. The real problem of someone misrepresenting their product is nowhere near 24% or else it would be evident in negative ratings of thousands of eBay sellers.

This reminds me of the case a few years back when it was reported that thousands of kids across the US were dying of gunshot wounds. It was proven true but only after discovering that the statistics included drug dealers and gang members up to age 25.

[peter draggin]

I always have checked feedback on sellers and have never bought anything from anyone lower than a 98% rating and try to make sure that they have been on there and selling for quite sometime, so I guess that go along the lines of finding the reputable sellers unless they are certified dealers for whatever product I am buying i.e. Taylormade, Callaway and such.

[rogerw]

One out of four sounds high to me. Did the article mention how they came about this statistic? I'm not sure how that could be quantified.

[Zeph]

I'd like to see statistics for this. Ultimately, how much work you put into buying from eBay will determine your chances of buying counterfeit equipment. Reputable sellers, loads of positive ratings, reasonable prices. Those people buying clubs $200 lower than everyone else is selling them at has to accept the risk.

[MrKadash]

Well, from my perspective a retailer like Carl's (which I am familiar with and have visited) is going to knock on eBay to get you to purchase from them. It's one of those articles that I take with a grain of salt. Personally I have only purchased from eBay a couple of times since its inception.

[jpalermo]

I would say 24% of the 3 or 4 major brands sold on ebay are fake. Callawy, Taylormade, Ping, Titleist. I buy some stuff on ebay but I stay current on the favorites of the counterfeiters.

[ET-Taylor]

a STORE magazine would say that 24% are fake so you come in to there shop and buy there stuff instead

[DavidFehertysBike]

I only buy used stuff from individual sellers on ebay. I try to stay away from the "ebay chains" But overall, youre probably safe if you buy used and the seller has a paypal account.

[Fourputt]

I don't have a lot of truck with eBay, but that sounds high to me too.

I never buy any new golf equipment online. I prefer to support my local merchants. I like to put my hands on something before I buy, and if I do that at a local shop, then I'm not going to turn around and insult the shopkeeper by buying the same thing online. Just my preference. Unlike so many golfers, I don't change out my golf gear like I change my underwear.

[FHopper]

An ebay product has to have a ring of truth to it, I have bought several new 6 irons, Six irons are demo irons so there are lots of them available. I would never buy a new set on ebay as I would question why it is for sale in the first place. My spin milled 60 was from an individual, I have bought half a dozen used putters, it has all turned out fine. I am waiting on some headcovers that may turn out poorly but I think it is a case of a dingbat trying to do business rather than an evil cunning plan.

[kfowler]

I never buy any new golf equipment online. I prefer to support my local merchants. I like to put my hands on something before I buy, and if I do that at a local shop, then I'm not going to turn around and insult the shopkeeper by buying the same thing online.

That's about been my experience. All of my new gear has come from local shops. I've bought several used hybrids and wedges off eBay without issue. I seriously considered buying my new irons off eBay but ultimately decided to buy local. The time spent doing the fitting was worth the extra cost.

In the end, I need my local shops to stay open. If they were to close, I'd be left with Dick's or Golfsmith. YUCK!

[Mallers]

FYI......For those of you looking to buy Cleveland CG15 wedges, I recently purchased a 52, 56 and a 60 in the Black Pearl finish on Ebay. When the clubs arrived, I noticed that the step pattern on the Traction Wedge Flex shafts had only EIGHT steps below the grip. I think the clubs were counterfeits. I checked a number of Cleveland Traction Wedge Flex shafts at a local authorized dealer and they all had TEN steps below the grip. I returned the three clubs to the seller and got a full refund. Other than the step pattern, the clubs seemed perfect. After my experience, I recommend you pay close attention to the step pattern and only buy from a reputable dealer.

[TinCupTampa]

I would almost agree with it... hell... I know of several people on this forum that purchased fake mizunos on ebay. They just havent figured it out yet. I cant remeber the thread, but it was the MP57's for $400. Sure the guy had 100% feedback but he never returned emails, the phone number on file with ebay was fake and he had a "no return" policy. If that doesnt scream fake, I dont know what would.

Yet, everyone was lauding that they just purchased a set.