How to Spot an Online Counterfeit Listing
Spotting a fake golf club when looking closely in person can be difficult. Knowing if an online listing is selling a counterfeit product or the real deal is even harder.
Here are some things to look out for to avoid counterfeit sellers online.
1. The price is significantly lower than others you’ve seen from retailers you trust.
If the price you see for a new driver or set of irons is significantly lower than what you see on the manufacturers’ website or from other retailers you trust, it’s likely that product is a counterfeit.
2. The listing is on a website and/or URL you don’t recognize.
If you don’t recognize the website you’re visiting or the website appears legit but the URL is off, be careful. Most manufacturers have on their websites a list of authorized retailers they allow to sell their products.
3. Take extra care buying equipment from auction sites like eBay, individual online sellers, and even Amazon.
Just because it’s a website you may have bought from before doesn’t mean they’re selling authentic golf equipment. Individuals may sell fake golf products on sites like eBay and even Amazon. What looks like a large retailer selling authentic product might be an online marketplace rife with individuals selling counterfeits.
4. The product is shipping from China or somewhere else overseas.
A good indicator that a product may be fake is if it ships from China. If you have concerns about where a product is shipping from, contact the manufacturer.
5. The photos don’t look right. But beware – photos can be deceiving.
If a photo looks off or blurry, buyer beware. Many counterfeiters remove manufacturer names from the product images to avoid detection. But don’t trust a listing just because a real club is pictured – counterfeit sellers can use a photo of real clubs and ship you fakes. We’ve seen it before.
The best way to know for sure if you’re buying the real deal? Shop only with authorized retailers. For information on finding authorized retailers, visit the manufacturers’ websites.