How can you spot a fake?

[USER1999]

Bought my R7 quad from an ebay shop, good price, no complaints. Bought it before they were out here so was american spec, but the good news is it won't be illegal next year. This is so important when it lives in the loft.

Also sold my Cally big berthas on ebay (nasty horrible graphite shafted game improving lumpy ugly things). So it can be done. Mind you this was a long time ago, before all the scum wised up to the potential of ebay. You used to be able to sell mobile phones then too.

 

[Parmo]

THB I have looked into this with great detail and found that yes there are rubbish clones about, but there are also great clones about. Why pay Callaway, Ping or the other two vast amounts of cash when someone else can buy the same shaft, grip and head for the same amount and sell the end product which there is no difference hundreds cheaper without the big names on it? I know there are dodgy ones on Ebay with the top fours names on that’s why they are rubbish, if they said a clone of say R7 and had the same shaft, grip and head and there is no difference except the name I am sure many people would buy them and enjoy top range equipment even more.

As a beginner/intermediate (played as a teenager but restarted after 15 year break 4 months ago) I did buy a set of Hippo OS4’s that came with 4-sw, driver, 3 wd, putter, rescue, stand bag & towel for £84 on Ebay as I didn’t want to get a set for hundreds just in case I didn’t get into golf or could afford it long term. The clubs are fine, the driver not to bad but overall great value. If I had gone to a pro shop for the same I would have been charged £175 without question, the problem I find with some Pro Shops is that even though getting the clubs fitted is great they are very expensive compared to online shopping.

Also just to add that GolfBidder offer a service to check the clubs you buy off them and are far better than Ebay.

 

[USER1999]

I would certainly recommend golfbidder. I have had several friends buy from here, and they got nice clubs at a good price. Guaranteed too, so low risk.

 

[USER1999]

On the subject of clones clubs, clubs made by Hippo, MD, Petron, Slazenger and other lesser brands are not necessarily considered clones, and can be reasonable clubs at a good price. The ones that we have issue with are the ones being passed off as genuine, for nearly the same cash as the real ones. These are often very low quality too. If a reputable company put out a 'look alike' that is different enough to not be a clone, and made from quality materials, and sold with their brand name (not someone elses), I don't think any of the golfing fraternity would mind. The issue is with illegal copying. These guys are not just stealing sales from the big manufacturers, they are robbing us too.

 

[par_par_par_treble]

I have just received my Taylormade r7 425 from ebay - £37!

worked great at the driving range

would have cost nearly £100 more from golf bidder

 

[wicket94]

I have been succesful with ebay buying. I bought my last 2 cobra drivers and my wifes set of irons.
These though were all used kit rather than new clubs. I felt more secure that way and am happy they are not fakes.
I have just bought my next driver from ebay - having scoured the ads etc and it turns out the seller is a pga pro - again the club is used - which I don't mind.
It annoys me intensely that there are fake clubs there being fobbed off as genuine. I think - with your confirmation - the robbers are spottable - but not always.
As you say you get what you pay for.
Clones are another thing althogether - often clones are described smilar to the real deal but they are not pretending to be the genuine article - you know its a clone and will get a clone - your not getting a fake being sold as the genuine article.
SHould these robbers be reported somehow?