Fakes, clones & the buggers who sell them

[madandra]

IvanDrago, If you think these irons are dodgey take them to your local Pro who can call Callaway and see if the serial numbers tie up with their records. Buying clubs from ebay has a lot of risk nowadays. I tend to buy second hand gear from there as it is the only way of cutting your risk. Also buy using Visa as this will offer added security to your purchase.

 

[Boabski]

if you are in any doubt get the serial # of the picture and contact your local pro or callaway and ask

 

[viscount17]

Also buy using Visa as this will offer added security to your purchase.

Only if you use a Credit Card - a Debit Card is not protected in the same way

 

[stubell]

Oh dear, maybe me as well
Just got a set of X20`s as a surprise Bday present. It could turn out more of a surprise than I expect !!
Callaway box
Each club individually shrunk wrapped with a red tear down strip
8 iron has serial number etched on hosel
graphite shafts with all the right stickers
bar code and item number at bottom of shaft
All looks OK but the grips do whiff a bit which I would have thought normal in their packaging until aired.
Does anyone know any good checks before I tell her indoors the bad news.
PS yes China..yes Ebay...but I have all the sellers details [verified]
Thanks guys
Mr. paranoid

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I would never buy clubs of e-bay. Simple as that. My pro gets me a good deal on most things (footjoy shoes, clothing etc) but my mate who is manager at my local AG gets me huge discounts which quite frankly can't be beaten. I get to try before I buy, get a brilliant price and normally have the clubs inside 2-3 working days. I'm also covered for a year if anything goes wrong with them (other than me smashing into a tree ina fit of rage etc)

 

[Parmo]

I have bought a few sticks of EBay and got some bargins and some fakes. My MX19s where £249 customer fit, new decade Mizuno grips (for free otherwise at pro an extra £50) plus free delivery & a free towel in Feb, great deal at the time. I have bought my Srixon wedge just as it came out, used but only for testing for £45 inc del rrp £90 at the time and buy all my balls, tees & a few Ping T shirts for between £5-£10 each (second hand but in good nick).

I bought a 3 set of Cleveland CG12 wedges and knew straight away they where fakes but after spending my cash and with some hope played them, they where ok for a time and then I just got honest with myself and emailed the seller 3 months later stating "I have had my local pro check the clubs (total lie) and he says these wedges are fakes, please refund my costs" got an email back apologising offering a full refund (which I got) and asking me to mail the clubs back (which I didnt) and after that email I didnt hear a thing.

So its swings a round abouts really just got to use your head when buying, but since I got my driver from AG and they tried to fob me off with a used demo one as they do with all their gear I think over the top wack for which really is second hand gear quite bad really, I kicked off and they ordered a brand new one which arrived a few days later, the staff where rude in every way and for me I would use them to try gear but buy online if not my local pro.