Any signs that this club might be fake? (R9 supertri)

[madburrito]

Hey guys, long time stalker, first time poster.

So I'm just piecing together a set of clubs of my own after always using hand-me-downs from my friends and I saw an R9 supertri on my local Craigslist. Contacted the buyer and asked some questions and for pictures. Here are the pictures that he gave me. Im not really familiar with this club that much and ive done as much research as I can on R9 fakes, but I just wanted to post them and see if anything jumps out at you guys as being off. The pic of the serial number is blurry but he gave me the number thats on there if that helps. Also, are there any things i should specifically look for tomorrow before I take the plunge? He's selling it for 180 dollars and he said its never been used. That seems pretty low to me since Golfsmith has them for 300. thanks in advance for any tips!

[LankyLefty]

Id ask for a better pic of the serial number and get that run. Then go pick it up and take a good look at the graphics, the hosel and the headcover. Paint jobs on fakes can be spotty, they also will often use too much or uneven glue in the hosel, or on adjustable clubs they may not adjust correctly, and they usually also skimp on the headcover so that it looks like a real headcover on the outside but feels like its made out of crap.

[madburrito]

Yeah he gave me the number in text form with the unfocused picture but I was under the impression that people that made fakes would get a real number and put it on their fakes. But i'll call TM anyway and see what they have to say. I'll definitely just look at quality of paint and headcover, thanks for the response lefty. Maybe im just being overly pessimistic

EDIT: I see online that the white wrench that comes with the R9 makes a click noise when it's tight enough. Would a good test be to try that out? If accessories are real than the club is more likely to be real?

[madburrito]

If i told the guy to meet me at Golfsmith would they tell me if the club were a fake?

[akabilk]

That would be a bit rich wouldn't it?

Why not meet the seller at a practice range and apart from having a good look at it, have a hit?

Fake clubs are made of crap and feel like crap when you hit them. Often the cheap alloy face dints when you hit a ball with it and the "graphite" shafts are grey coloured fiberglass with way too much flex. No hit, no buy?

Usually though, fakes are mail only, no personal inspection or pick up as once in hand fakes are fairly easy to spot, especially if you have a few hits.