Beware of FAKE Mizuno Irons

[mvmac]

Mizuno posted this on Facebook today.  Can you tell which ones are the Fakes?  Answer below

Quote:

We'll be loading pictures of fake Mizuno gear to help you spot the difference. The best advice is to ignore deals that sound too good to be true and buy from an authorised retailer listed on a Mizuno site.

A.

B.

Answer Here:

A. FAKE: Look at the shape & position of the Titanium muscle. Nothing like the real thing.

B. REAL: Check the definition on the TiMuscle, size and position in relation to the sole. Not much in common with the fakes.

[Bullitt5339]

Those aren't even a good attempt at a fake.  There's too much that looks wrong and sloppy.

[Tacoa]

True. But stick them on ebay without closeup 'photos and at a low price and some poor soul is gonna get stung. What made it obvious to me was the sloppy paintwork on the Mizuno emblem.

[saevel25]

That's why you dont buy stuff like that on Ebay. Stick to either stores, or online reputable online retailers

[Zeph]

I wouldn't say you shouldn't buy from eBay alltogether. There are many reputable sellers there. Some retail stores also operate on eBay.

[Bullitt5339]

Rockbottomgolf, Global Golf, 3 Balls and I'm sure many more legitimate businesses have ebay stores.  I just think it's important to watch who you buy from on ebay.

[Tigerboy]

Yes so true—Some of the pro shops in the frozen areas of the US sell their unsold New and Used clubs on E-Bay. I always ask questions even though some sellers get a little testy, but after I express my concern over Fakes on E-Bay they usually calm down.

Here’s something that comes to mind every time I look at Mizuno irons on E-Bay and elsewhere, and even though I can go to Mizuno’s website and see their list of Official retailers--

It’s still a little confusing to me that Mizuno wouldn’t adopt a universal plan for club identification.

-My custom MP-59’s with Nippon Pro 950’s have the ferrule engraved SR#’s

-My Mp-69’s and Mp-63’s both have hosel etched SR#’s

Now I want to change to colored ferrules and grips and that will destroy the SR#’s on my MP-59i—so I’m left with a real club which can be questionable in its origin..

[b101]

Rockbottomgolf, Global Golf, 3 Balls and I'm sure many more legitimate businesses have ebay stores.  I just think it's important to watch who you buy from on ebay.

Completely agree - you can do well from ebay, but just need to be seriously careful.

[golfbarefoot]

You're taking a big risk nowadays buying on eBay if it's not an actual reputable dealer. That's certainly not saying they are all counterfeit products.. But in today's world, for the price we pay.. It's very risky. I personally know several club members who were duped with knock off clubs.

[Tigerboy]

Speaking of risk that I can understand—After living in China ‘fore several years on the grass roots level you get to know the habits there pretty well—The Chinese are free to copy anything without fear from the government if they pay their taxes….so the incentive is very strong to copy everything--and yes they have many great golf courses even though a little expensive…which brings me back to E-Bay—you have a few days after your purchase to examine your goods and say yea or nay for a 100% buy back –never hurts to call the Manufacture >most have a hot line for this very problem of counterfeits; some of which are so well done they have to be cut open to see the difference>> others not so much: even Used clubs should be checked out--- You know when the bidding starts at .99 cents something is up. I’m not an E-Bay expert but I’ve learned the curve fairly well and a rat is always a rat—the other day I noticed a California company on e-bay advertizing they were an “Authorized Mizuno” retailer operating out of the City of Walnut—so I checked with Mizuno they never hear of this company, nor were they on Mizuno’s authorized list…. but their prices for Muzzies were fantastic……I notified E-Bay of this companies claims not sure what has happened. I must say I believe in the original concept of E-Bay but……………

[flopster]

Always check with Mizunos authorized E bay dealers list before buying.

http://www.mizunousa.com/golf/mizuno-golf-authorized-online-dealers

[wakefield724]

I just bought a full set of jpx 850 4-pw for $19.87 on eBay from china. I know they are gonna be soooo fake. Just bought out of curiosity. It amazes me they can make a product, ship in a huge box, and make still make a profit off $20 and free shipping. 

Edited August 28, 2017 by wakefield724

[Missouri Swede]

27 minutes ago, wakefield724 said:

I just bought a full set of jpx 850 4-pw for $19.87 on eBay from china. I know they are gonna be soooo fake. Just bought out of curiosity. It amazes me they can make a product, ship in a huge box, and make still make a profit off $20 and free shipping. 

Maybe they just wanted your credit card.

[1badbadger]

This is a true story from around 2004 when the TaylorMade R7 Quad was their current driver.  I was managing a retail golf shop at the time, and we stocked new Taylor drivers.  Some of my "regulars" got wind of a guy on ebay selling R7s for cheap...less than my cost.  4 or 5 guys bought them after using my demos to decide which loft and shaft flex they wanted.  

A short time later, one of these guys brought his driver in because it had developed a rattle in the head.  He asked if I would use my account to send it back to Taylor to get fixed under warranty.  I suggested he contact the seller and have him send it back.  I was told the seller was somewhere in California, and it would be a hassle to ship it back to him.  That's one of the prices you pay for getting a good deal.  Then the truth came out that his attempts to contact the seller were unsuccessful.  He pleaded with me to send it back.  He brought it in and I could tell immediately that it was a forgery.  The graphics on the shaft weren't right, a different kind of ferrule, different kind of grip...it was all wrong.  I told him straight away that it wasn't a authentic TaylorMade, but he didn't believe me until I called them and gave them the serial number, which they said didn't exist. 

Ironically, all the other guys who bought drivers from the same guy wound up having the same problem.  If it's too good to be true, it probably is!

[Vinsk]

Or just be left Handed and avoid Mizuno altogether.

Edited August 28, 2017 by Vinsk

[boogielicious]

7 hours ago, 1badbadger said:

This is a true story from around 2004 when the TaylorMade R7 Quad was their current driver.  I was managing a retail golf shop at the time, and we stocked new Taylor drivers.  Some of my "regulars" got wind of a guy on ebay selling R7s for cheap...less than my cost.  4 or 5 guys bought them after using my demos to decide which loft and shaft flex they wanted.  

A short time later, one of these guys brought his driver in because it had developed a rattle in the head.  He asked if I would use my account to send it back to Taylor to get fixed under warranty.  I suggested he contact the seller and have him send it back.  I was told the seller was somewhere in California, and it would be a hassle to ship it back to him.  That's one of the prices you pay for getting a good deal.  Then the truth came out that his attempts to contact the seller were unsuccessful.  He pleaded with me to send it back.  He brought it in and I could tell immediately that it was a forgery.  The graphics on the shaft weren't right, a different kind of ferrule, different kind of grip...it was all wrong.  I told him straight away that it wasn't a authentic TaylorMade, but he didn't believe me until I called them and gave them the serial number, which they said didn't exist. 

Ironically, all the other guys who bought drivers from the same guy wound up having the same problem.  If it's too good to be true, it probably is!

There is a mall in Shanghai called Pearl City that sells fake everything including clubs. I thought is was easy to tell they were fake. They also had fake Rolex watches, Gucci bags, etc. I don't buy counterfeit stuff, but did get some tourist items.

A friend of mine from OZ wanted to get her son a Drew Brees NFL jersey. The fake shop owner wanted $80 US for it. My friend asked me if this was a good deal. I told her I could get her a real one for $50. She walked away. The shop owner was so mad at me and yelled at me in Chinese. Even an hour later, when we walked by again, she yelled at me. 

When I got back to the US, I got a kids Drew Brees Saints jersey for $50 on the NFL site and shipped it to her.

You get what you pay for.

[scotth]

9 hours ago, Vinsk said:

Or just be left Handed and avoid Mizuno altogether.

Sadly that seems to be the case for most club makers and new products if you are a lefty.  I feel your pain!

[Valleygolfer]

You should have don a poll @mvmac I actually said "A" but most cases you don't have the opportunity to compare side by side during the sale or the pics are actual clubs and the counterfeit ones are sent out.