Cracked face on brand new Titleist 910D3

[Motley01]

Yes kind of ironic that I saw the fake AP2s, but my own D3 was fake.

The fake AP2s, no I never heard anything from ebay or Titleist, and the auction ended.

Lesson learned, never buy any golf equipment on ebay, period!

[Mr3Wiggle]

Originally Posted by Motley01

Yes kind of ironic that I saw the fake AP2s, but my own D3 was fake.

The fake AP2s, no I never heard anything from ebay or Titleist, and the auction ended.

Lesson learned, never buy any golf equipment on ebay, period!

I think that's a good call.  My guess is the seller of that 910 bought it from someone else on Ebay and had no clue he was re-selling a knockoff.

[newtogolf]

The major downside of being a righty.  Since lefties make up such a small part of the market, no one bothers to make knock offs for us.  I've yet to hear of a counterfeit left hand club from eBay.

[bhp1404]

Originally Posted by newtogolf

The major downside of being a righty.  Since lefties make up such a small part of the market, no one bothers to make knock offs for us.  I've yet to hear of a counterfeit left hand club from eBay.

And lefty clubs on ebay are usually cheaper. My dad is lefty and i hate that he can get 2 brand new vokeys for $100

[newtogolf]

That's true, but we don't get the same selection as righties so we have less to choose from.   Some manufacturers like Bridgestone completely ignore us while others like Titleist and Mizuno limit the clubs and options for lefties.

Originally Posted by bhp1404

And lefty clubs on ebay are usually cheaper. My dad is lefty and i hate that he can get 2 brand new vokeys for $100

[moparman426]

Originally Posted by newtogolf

That's true, but we don't get the same selection as righties so we have less to choose from.   Some manufacturers like Bridgestone completely ignore us while others like Titleist and Mizuno limit the clubs and options for lefties.

That's because being a leftie is just plain wrong!  Same applies to gingers as well!

Just kidding ......

I actually grew up left handed, and can play hockey and swing a baseball bat either way, and can generate more power swinging left.  I meant it about the gingers though...

[Motley01]

I'm going to the range this afternoon, with my new REAL driver.

I'm interesting seeing how different it feels.

Oh and I've been contacting the people he sold golf clubs to, telling them to have there stuff checked out.

[Clambake]

Originally Posted by Motley01

Yes kind of ironic that I saw the fake AP2s, but my own D3 was fake.

The fake AP2s, no I never heard anything from ebay or Titleist, and the auction ended.

Lesson learned, never buy any golf equipment on ebay, period!

It will really be ironic if it turns out the AP2s on eBay are actually real and the ones you have are the fakes! I'm pretty sure that isn't the case as the eBay AP2s didn't like like those on Titleist's website, but it would be kind of funny.    Not for you though!

Many buyers think that if feedback is good from an eBay seller then the clubs must be real, but all that really tells you is that the buyers were satisfied with the transaction.     Many fakes are very, very close and most buyers wouldn't know the subtle differences, so they assume the club is real.    As long as the transaction goes smoothly (i.e. fast shipping) they rate the seller highly.     Some buyers may know they're buying fakes and again as long as the transaction wasn't a hassle the seller would get a good rating.

I've spent a lot of time in China on business and have been in a factory that made fake clubs.    The ability of these counterfeiters to mimic even the smallest details is astounding.     When you see how well they've duplicated even small intricate design features, it is kind of surprising when one finds an area where the difference is noticeable (like the AP2 lettering on those clubs you spotted).

By the way, I hope you have a new found respect and appreciation for Golfsmith and other local retailers.    Even before you found the club was fake and purchased a new one from them, they were willing to be the go between for you with Titleist and even ship the club back to Titleist at their expense, even though you didn't buy it from them in the first place.      If more people would appreciate the service of their local retailer and not always try to save just a few dollars all the time then the proliferation of fake clubs would be far less.

[Motley01]

I totally agree with you. It's funny, but I purchased my AP2s, Vokey wedges, bag, balls, and a lot of other things at Golfsmith, so I support them with my continued business.

They didn't carry the shaft I wanted with their DS3, the Diamana illuma. And that's when I saw the club and shaft I wanted, on ebay. And the price was good.

But ya, Golfsmith was great with helping out.

[Shorty]

Originally Posted by Mr3Wiggle

I'm curious what bhp1404 initially saw in your photo of the face.  He immediately called it.  Was it the grain of the metal?  Even the grooves looked identical.

He saw a cracked face. Titleist drivers are not known for cracking.

[Mr3Wiggle]

Originally Posted by Shorty

He saw a cracked face. Titleist drivers are not known for cracking.

I just assumed Motley had ungodly clubhead speed!

[Motley01]

Originally Posted by Mr3Wiggle

I just assumed Motley had ungodly clubhead speed!

I didn't tell you? My clubhead speed is 130MPH. LOL

One thing I noticed with the fake, it was really loud at impact. Like the sound of an aluminum bat at a college ball game.

I wonder how the real one will sound. I'm about to find out, heading to the range in about an hour.

[Motley01]

OK I just heard back from the seller. This is what he wrote:

Sir,

I never tried to rip you off. I am a good person and would never put anything fake on eBay. Why would I put something on eBay just to go through this. I will be glad to refund you the money. Now, my supplier that I bought the club heads from tells me he gets these clubs straight from the the Titleist factory, then buys the shaft and puts them together. The reason the serial number isnt right is because he puts them on. Titleist only puts the number on when it's assembled. Either way we are both loosing money. I pay a lot of money for these clubs too. I am very sorry this has happend and I hope we can get it worked out. I know how it feels to be in your shoes. I will refund you tonight. Again very sorry.

- joncar14

[1par2win]

Originally Posted by Clambake

It will really be ironic if it turns out the AP2s on eBay are actually real and the ones you have are the fakes!           I'm pretty sure that isn't the case as the eBay AP2s didn't like like those on Titleist's website, but it would be kind of funny.    Not for you though!

Many buyers think that if feedback is good from an eBay seller then the clubs must be real, but all that really tells you is that the buyers were satisfied with the transaction.     Many fakes are very, very close and most buyers wouldn't know the subtle differences, so they assume the club is real.    As long as the transaction goes smoothly (i.e. fast shipping) they rate the seller highly.     Some buyers may know they're buying fakes and again as long as the transaction wasn't a hassle the seller would get a good rating.

I've spent a lot of time in China on business and have been in a factory that made fake clubs.    The ability of these counterfeiters to mimic even the smallest details is astounding.     When you see how well they've duplicated even small intricate design features, it is kind of surprising when one finds an area where the difference is noticeable (like the AP2 lettering on those clubs you spotted).

By the way, I hope you have a new found respect and appreciation for Golfsmith and other local retailers.    Even before you found the club was fake and purchased a new one from them, they were willing to be the go between for you with Titleist and even ship the club back to Titleist at their expense, even though you didn't buy it from them in the first place.      If more people would appreciate the service of their local retailer and not always try to save just a few dollars all the time then the proliferation of fake clubs would be far less.

This^^^

[Mr3Wiggle]

Originally Posted by Motley01

OK I just heard back from the seller. This is what he wrote:

Sir,

I never tried to rip you off. I am a good person and would never put anything fake on eBay. Why would I put something on eBay just to go through this. I will be glad to refund you the money. Now, my supplier that I bought the club heads from tells me he gets these clubs straight from the the Titleist factory, then buys the shaft and puts them together. The reason the serial number isnt right is because he puts them on. Titleist only puts the number on when it's assembled. Either way we are both loosing money. I pay a lot of money for these clubs too. I am very sorry this has happend and I hope we can get it worked out. I know how it feels to be in your shoes. I will refund you tonight. Again very sorry.

- joncar14

That guy is a liar.  Some how I doubt his ebay supplier has an account with Titleist.  And if he did I doubt they would think very highly of him wholesaling the clubs to ebay sellers.  There are so many problems with his story I don't even know where to start.

[Motley01]

Originally Posted by Mr3Wiggle

That guy is a liar.  Some how I doubt his ebay supplier has an account with Titleist.  And if he did I doubt they would think very highly of him wholesaling the clubs to ebay sellers.  There are so many problems with his story I don't even know where to start.

Bingo Bingo!!! Exactly, there is no way Titleist would allow any sales to other parties that sell on auction sites.

I just responded, said thank you for refunding my money. Then when Titleist gets the club, they will probably end up keeping it and destroying it.

Then he'll get nailed by ebay.

[Mr3Wiggle]

Originally Posted by Motley01

Bingo Bingo!!! Exactly, there is no way Titleist would allow any sales to other parties that sell on auction sites.

I just responded, said thank you for refunding my money. Then when Titleist gets the club, they will probably end up keeping it and destroying it.

Then he'll get nailed by ebay.

My favorite part is where he says the guy puts the serial number on himself.  LOL!!!  Good to hear you are getting your money back, the guy is probably crapping his pants.

[newtogolf]

The guy is smart, you caught him so he's claiming ignorance, refunding your money and given the transaction was refunded will retain his 100% positive feedback.

Quote:

OK I just heard back from the seller. This is what he wrote:

Sir,

I never tried to rip you off. I am a good person and would never put anything fake on eBay. Why would I put something on eBay just to go through this. I will be glad to refund you the money. Now, my supplier that I bought the club heads from tells me he gets these clubs straight from the the Titleist factory, then buys the shaft and puts them together. The reason the serial number isnt right is because he puts them on. Titleist only puts the number on when it's assembled. Either way we are both loosing money. I pay a lot of money for these clubs too. I am very sorry this has happend and I hope we can get it worked out. I know how it feels to be in your shoes. I will refund you tonight. Again very sorry.

- joncar14