Buying used from reputable stores is not safe anymore

[Valleygolfer]

I am in the market for another 3 wood and after hearing from manufacturers on the counterfeiting of clubs, I am not sure if buying used from places like 2nd swing or the PGA club source is a viable option when manufacturers now have to "cut open" drivers to be sure. I don't know if this is propaganda to scare you into buying direct and not buying used. I have tested new clubs but have not found one with the feel of the G10 that I like. I don't necessarily want a new 3 wood, I would like another similar to my old set instead. I might be safe buying an old G10 but they are not easy to find in good condition. Does this seem like a valid concern or am I just paranoid?

[Dave2512]

I don't think it's as common as they want us to believe. But why bother with used. By llate summer and certainly next spring last seasons new leftovers are being blown out cheap.

[DwightC]

I don't think it's as common as they want us to believe.

I agree with that.  I also think that, if a counterfeit is so good that the item's performance is indistinguishable from the genuine object and the item has to be dismembered to determine whether it is genuine, the onus for policing the problem lies on the owner of the Intellectual Property, not the lay consumer.

More generally, I despise fear mongering as a sales technique.   I think operations like Calloway pre-owned, the two sources you mentioned, golfoverstock, tgw, etc. are pretty well established at this point and I wouldn't be any more worried about buying from them than from a Nike or Golfsmith store.  That's not to say that there aren't some shady operators out there, but it's not hard to avoid getting burned (said as one who's been burned--on clothing, not golf gear--before)

[Valleygolfer]

The thing is that some of these companies may not put the effort out to check their incoming stock and accidentally buy counterfeit clubs. Plus even if they do, they may not be able to distinguish fake from real. @Dave2512 if you need custom shaft configuration, close out clubs don't often have that ability.