Buying golf clubs on Ebay....

[ajschn06]

I'm just curious what everyones thoughts are on buying clubs on ebay? I once read that 20% of clubs sold on ebay are fakes. For that reason, I always stayed away. But lately I've discovered if your careful and selective some great deals can be had. I, personally, would shy away from buying anything new off of ebay. However, there are some reputable dealers like 2ndswing that have some great deals on mint drivers and fairway woods....

[Leftygolfer]

Be smart. I've purchased many clubs off ebay and have had no issues. If they have great feed back over a long time, there fine. If it is too good of a deal, I'd stay away. Anything not in the US, skeptical and will not buy.

[Bryan SD2]

Bought a TM hybrid new, a Wilson Staff Gap Wedge 9.5/10 that matches my irons, and a used Scotty Cameron Studio Design Putter. None of them were hot enough models to worry me re: authenticity. In the case of the putter, it is quite an old model, the more recent Cameron's are fake heavy indeed.

Also, my sellers did not have dozens of the same club for sale... Which is not an automatic red flag, but something to consider.

Perhaps my favorite feedback ever.... (not something I bought, but it's just a memorable line)

"Thanks for the fake Scotty with the crooked grip."

[kennay92]

my irons and driver are off of ebay.. Just check the feedback more deeply than just looking at it, go deep into and read it to be safe.

[wrx_junki]

Bought lots of stuff off eBay without a bad experience. Just do your research beforehand such as looking through recent feedbacks. Also, try to use PayPal as a form of payment and even when using your PayPal, use your credit card along with it. Provides double protection.

[TaylorMadeTaylor]

I bought my set of irons from eBay with problems and love them. If you're looking at an older club that's used then it has a much lesser probability of being counterfeit than say, a brand new Titilest 910, or TM Supertri.

[mrbillinoc]

I agree with the other Gentlemen...there are MANY reputable dealers on EBAY and their great records of "Positive Feedback" will attest to the fact you are getting genuine goods. A couple of weeks ago I just bought a set of NEW Wilson Staff DI9 Irons on EBAY...new...5,6,7,8,9,PW,AW,GW...Graphite shafts with the "wide-tip" technology that reduces clubface torque...got the whole set for $132.00 !!! When I got the clubs I registered them on Wilson's website with the serial number on the irons...NO problems at all!

[xxsoultonesxx]

I just bought a 3 wood from 3balls.com's ebay page. Fedex claims to have delivered it, but I have yet to see a package. I have a claim filed with Fedex, though.

[Bryan SD2]

If you are buying irons.... request the serial numbers from the seller. Many manufacturers have serial numbers on the hosel now. Then take that number and contact the company who manufactured them to authenticate the number for you if you are hesitant at all. Nothing beats a thumbs up from the company that made the clubs if you are hesitant to pull the trigger and bid.

[JayMc]

I have bought from a few sellers, but I look for sellers who have golf shops and a LOT of positive feedback. I picked up new in the package 54* and 60* wedges recently. Great transactions and I saved a lot of money. It helped that I knew exactly what I wanted though.

[jc650]

I have never had a problem but I dont buy from anyone that doesnt have a great feedback history.

[ajschn06]

I just bought a 3 wood from 3balls.com's ebay page. Fedex claims to have delivered it, but I have yet to see a package. I have a claim filed with Fedex, though.

My putter came from 3balls golf. It was an older model and used, so like others have said, I wasn't worried about it not being authentic. I had no problems with that seller, maybe some miscommunication?

[Shorty]

If you are buying irons.... request the serial numbers from the seller. Many manufacturers have serial numbers on the hosel now. Then take that number and contact the company who manufactured them to authenticate the number for you if you are hesitant at all. Nothing beats a thumbs up from the company that made the clubs if you are hesitant to pull the trigger and bid.

If you check feedback history and buy from places like 3ballsgolf or globalgolf you'll have no worries.

On the other hand, if a fake has a fake serial number copied from a genuine one, and puts that serial number on a thousand sets, and that checks oout at the manufacturer's web site or whatever, how does that help you?

[ejimsmith]

i got new irons, driver, 3 wood and hybrid from ebay. like everyone says, choose a reputable dealer based on their feedback. and take your time. i was itiching to buy but managed to hold off for a week to troll around and make sure i had a good dealer and excellent prices. i LOVE my purchases!

[xxsoultonesxx]

My putter came from 3balls golf. It was an older model and used, so like others have said, I wasn't worried about it not being authentic. I had no problems with that seller, maybe some miscommunication?

My issue is not with 3balls.com. It is with Fedex, when they claim to have delivered a package on the tracking web site, and nothing shows up.

[Bryan SD2]

If you check feedback history and buy from places like 3ballsgolf or globalgolf you'll have no worries.

You would obviously request a PHOTO of the serial number on the hosel (for example) of an iron. Don't go by a typed serial number in a email of course. It is exceedingly rare that a counterfeit club manufacturer/trafficker would A - stamp/etch the serial number in the same font/size/location as the genuine thing and B - have a valid number that would check out with regards to that model, with that graphics, from that year(s), etc. Manufacturers also use codes to represent different facilities/years/models. You don't start with 000001, then 000002, then ten years later you are on 100001 and 100002, and so on.

i.e. all Wilson Staff Fi5's made between 2008 and 2010 at plant X will all have a G as the second digit and the first digit is an even number. Plant Y will have an odd number, and a G as well. (Obviously, I made that up, but the system is not too far off reality). How does it help you? Even if they have a copied number. For example, if serial number 1G23456 is being asked for authentication 10 times in a month, the manufacturer will catch it as well. Maybe not the second time, but the 10th, 20th, 30th request for authenticiation? No way the seller tries to use the same serial number either... no better way to get caught than try to sell the same set of clubs 100 times, but in reality have 100 identical sets made by small children in Shanghai. Chances are, if the clubs SHOULD have a serial number, and they are fakes, they will NOT have a serial number, the seller will balk at sending you a photo of the number, and their silence on the matter should speak loudly to you. If you are buying from a reputable seller, you probably dont have the need to go through the serial number drill, as you mentioned.

[Boyder]

My irons, hybrids, wedges and putter - all purchased on eBay ... as stated, do your research, check the feedback of the seller. I've been very happy with my purchases.

[lumpuckeroo]

Be smart. I've purchased many clubs off ebay and have had no issues. If they have great feed back over a long time, there fine. If it is too good of a deal, I'd stay away. Anything not in the US, skeptical and will not buy.

My thoughts exactly! I have purchased a lot of clubs off of eBay, and while I'm not sure if I have ever gotten taken I have never had a club arrive and be an obvious fake, nor have I had one shatter in my hands to latter find it was a fake. I will say, my previous set of Mizuno irons were purchased off of eBay, while I got them for about 1/2 the price of retail, the 4 iron had a gouge on the bottom of the club. It could not be seen at address, nor did it effect performance, but it was an obvious flaw that I was willing to live with for the amount of savings I got.