Fake Specialized S-Works Carbon Bottle Cage on eBay?

skdotcom

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 500wt_1156

Bought this on eBay, just turned up today.

I realy didn't consider for one minute it might be fake before buying, but looking at it , it just doesn't seem right. I haven't got a genuine one to compare it to, but to my eyes the text doesnt look quite right, and it come with no packaging at all.

Anyone got any advice on how to be sure if it's genuine?

saprkzz

hmm.. Tricky, but one of his feedback negatives:

sold a fake and didnt refund - refund secured through paypal from a claim Member ID 50GBP iTunes gift card/voucher and code comp. ipod (#120281694101)

benno68

Best thing to do is go and look at the real thing and compare, if you have doubts you could ask the seller for a refund or at least an explanation as to why it came with no packaging as he is clearly not the Manufacturer and I'd ask him to verify that the product is genuine (his purchase invoice or such like), or simply refer it direct to Trading Standards.

Quoted from the eBay listing:

"Condition:
New: A brand-new, unused, unopened and undamaged item in original retail packaging (where packaging is applicable). If the item comes direct from a manufacturer, it may be delivered in non-retail packaging, such as a plain or unprinted box or plastic bag."

I'm sure that Tredz would not be impressed about being referred to in this listing even if it is to feed from their product review page!

Ands

I'd be claiming for a refund - he advertised it as coming in manufacturer's packaging and it didn't, and I bet the photo wasn't one he took - looks just like a stock photo. He's failed to deliver what he claimed he would deliver.

Have you got some accurate scales? Can you weigh it and compare it to what Specialized say it should weigh?

jgsi

Weigh it,, genuine article is under 20 gms... was in shop today... no way paying 40 quid for said genuine cage...
having said that your case against him wont hold water... boom boom

skdotcom

Ands wrote:

Can you weigh it and compare it to what Specialized say it should weigh?

My scales say 25g, specialized website says 23g. Not enough difference to be conclusive.

I'm currently pursuing a claim through eBay having received a counterfeit CD recently, so am a bit annoyed to receive 2 fakes in one week. To put that in context , I've used eBay for over 10 years , 1000+ purchases and nothing fake until now.

I've added some pictures to flickr, anyone else think the text doesn't look quite right?



http://flic.kr/p/9YzSyt
http://flic.kr/p/9YzSvp
http://flic.kr/p/9YzSsD

WTF

Ebay fake goods shocker :shock:

Saying that if it looks OK and holds bottle well then who would notice.

Caveat emptor.

rolf_f

Here is one from the web - no idea if this one is genuine but the lettering looks far better. Apologies for the size but probably best to keep full size under the circumstances. Also note how the red striping follows the shape of the cage rather than randomly going all over the place! As fake as Jordans knockers . Vendor needs kicking off Ebay and all the other purchasers notifying so that the lying git has to refund them as well.

cloggsy

Hope you paid by PayPal?

Get a claim in as soon as you can!

Anonymous

Well............if you paid £25 for this, it is made of carbon, looks almost identical and the real deal costs £40, then you have to think, bargain, but also, if its too good to be true then it probably is. Sorry mate, you take your chances on Ebay.

Plus, if it works, then it works.

Alternatively, get yourself down Evans, buy a genuine one, then swap them over and take it back attached to original packaging and get money back. Obviously this would be illegal and morally ambiguous.

rolf_f

dmclite wrote:

Well............if you paid £25 for this, it is made of carbon, looks almost identical and the real deal costs £40, then you have to think, bargain, but also, if its too good to be true then it probably is. Sorry mate, you take your chances on Ebay.

No you don't - you get your money back. Ebay isn't the Wild West!

Besides, what's the point of paying £25 for a Chinese carbon bottle cage on Ebay when the going rate is half that for one that isn't pretending to be something it isn't?

dmclite wrote:

Alternatively, get yourself down Evans, buy a genuine one, then swap them over and take it back attached to original packaging and get money back. Obviously this would be illegal and morally ambiguous.

In what way is theft morally ambiguous?

giant_man

You got to be careful, the Bay is full of crooks and deceivers ime ......

Thebigbee

I'd be wary of buying anything off someone with under 20 feedback.

Also spending £25 on a water bottle holder seems ridiculous IMO. But, your money.

I am happy with my £2 plastic - but looks like carbon and nearly weighs as little off Wiggle
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-basic-bottle-cage/
They were doing it for 2 quid!
and my adjustable Topeak off CRC for £4. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=1628

Having said that the lettering on yours does look very off.

The only fake thing I have received was a pair of Nike Air Force Ones. The fact that they were made of plastic with no box kind of gave the game away!!

Don't bother with Ebays non existent "Customer service". If you are certain it is fake tell the seller that you are reporting it to the trading standards, and you have proof it is fake and let them know the consequences of selling counterfeit goods.

However, if it just a "carbon" copy - that works OK maybe just go for a partial refund and keep the item?

Some people...

Headhuunter

Thebigbee wrote:

I'd be wary of buying anything off someone with under 20 feedback.

Also spending £25 on a water bottle holder seems ridiculous IMO. But, your money.

I am happy with my £2 plastic - but looks like carbon and nearly weighs as little off Wiggle
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-basic-bottle-cage/
They were doing it for 2 quid!
and my adjustable Topeak off CRC for £4. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=1628

Having said that the lettering on yours does look very off.

The only fake thing I have received was a pair of Nike Air Force Ones. The fact that they were made of plastic with no box kind of gave the game away!!

Don't bother with Ebays non existent "Customer service". If you are certain it is fake tell the seller that you are reporting it to the trading standards, and you have proof it is fake and let them know the consequences of selling counterfeit goods.

However, if it just a "carbon" copy - that works OK maybe just go for a partial refund and keep the item?

Some people...

I found those 2 quid plastic ones from Wiggle an utter disaster. My bottles kept jumping out of them as soon as I hit a bumpy road surface.... One time I was descending quite fast on a club ride and the bottle flew out behind me. I realised immediately and turned to go back uphill for the bottle. Luckily the rest of the group had waited at a junction at the bottom of the hill or I would have been on my own in the middle of nowhere!

ollyridesfirst

Looking at the 2 pictures (yours and the other provided), the only really noticeable different is the letter 'S'

If you like it and can live with it, then keep it. I'd certainly be leaving relevant feedback though

rolf_f

OllyRidesFirst wrote:

Looking at the 2 pictures (yours and the other provided), the only really noticeable different is the letter 'S'

Not really - other letters differ eg the K and R. It looks like the lettering on the real thing is a bit sparkly too. Then there is the shape of the red stripe and the fact that it doesn't follow the form of the cage like the real thing. And the form of the cage itself is ropey. One looks like a piece of good quality kit. The other a cheap and nasty ripoff.

It will fool at a casual glance but that's it. I wouldn't have the fake anyway - especially not if I'd expected the real thing.

Paypal are usually pretty helpful in my limited experience.

skdotcom

dmclite wrote:

Well............if you paid £25 for this, it is made of carbon, looks almost identical and the real deal costs £40, then you have to think, bargain, but also, if its too good to be true then it probably is. Sorry mate, you take your chances on Ebay.

Plus, if it works, then it works.

Alternatively, get yourself down Evans, buy a genuine one, then swap them over and take it back attached to original packaging and get money back. Obviously this would be illegal and morally ambiguous.

Err...what planet do you live on! You've never bought something at less than RRP?

Whether it works or not, its not what I paid for, and how do I know if its manufactured to the same quality.

I'm waiting for the seller to reply to my emails, but no luck so far. I've opened a dispute via paypal, so will wait and see what happens.

Anonymous

skdotcom wrote:

dmclite wrote:

Well............if you paid £25 for this, it is made of carbon, looks almost identical and the real deal costs £40, then you have to think, bargain, but also, if its too good to be true then it probably is. Sorry mate, you take your chances on Ebay.

Plus, if it works, then it works.

Alternatively, get yourself down Evans, buy a genuine one, then swap them over and take it back attached to original packaging and get money back. Obviously this would be illegal and morally ambiguous.

Err...what planet do you live on! You've never bought something at less than RRP?

Whether it works or not, its not what I paid for, and how do I know if its manufactured to the same quality.

I'm waiting for the seller to reply to my emails, but no luck so far. I've opened a dispute via paypal, so will wait and see what happens.

Every single item I have bought for cycling, including my litespeed was at less than RRP. :P If you want to pay £25 for a bottle cage, fill your boots, its your money, coudn't care less I think £8 for an Elite bottle cage is plenty, let alone £25......not even going to think about £40.

BTW, these cages aren't very good anyway, couple lads at my club have had these on their S-Works road bikes and changed them.

Thebigbee

Headhuunter wrote:

Thebigbee wrote:

I'd be wary of buying anything off someone with under 20 feedback.

Also spending £25 on a water bottle holder seems ridiculous IMO. But, your money.

I am happy with my £2 plastic - but looks like carbon and nearly weighs as little off Wiggle
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-basic-bottle-cage/
They were doing it for 2 quid!
and my adjustable Topeak off CRC for £4. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=1628

Having said that the lettering on yours does look very off.

The only fake thing I have received was a pair of Nike Air Force Ones. The fact that they were made of plastic with no box kind of gave the game away!!

Don't bother with Ebays non existent "Customer service". If you are certain it is fake tell the seller that you are reporting it to the trading standards, and you have proof it is fake and let them know the consequences of selling counterfeit goods.

However, if it just a "carbon" copy - that works OK maybe just go for a partial refund and keep the item?

Some people...

I found those 2 quid plastic ones from Wiggle an utter disaster. My bottles kept jumping out of them as soon as I hit a bumpy road surface.... One time I was descending quite fast on a club ride and the bottle flew out behind me. I realised immediately and turned to go back uphill for the bottle. Luckily the rest of the group had waited at a junction at the bottom of the hill or I would have been on my own in the middle of nowhere!

No problems with mine and a 750ml bottle. And the majority of the 400 reviews tend to agree.

Unlucky with yours. At least you didn't spend £25 on a fake carbon!! lol

Thebigbee

skdotcom wrote:

dmclite wrote:

Well............if you paid £25 for this, it is made of carbon, looks almost identical and the real deal costs £40, then you have to think, bargain, but also, if its too good to be true then it probably is. Sorry mate, you take your chances on Ebay.

Plus, if it works, then it works.

Alternatively, get yourself down Evans, buy a genuine one, then swap them over and take it back attached to original packaging and get money back. Obviously this would be illegal and morally ambiguous.

Err...what planet do you live on! You've never bought something at less than RRP?

Whether it works or not, its not what I paid for, and how do I know if its manufactured to the same quality.

I'm waiting for the seller to reply to my emails, but no luck so far. I've opened a dispute via paypal, so will wait and see what happens.

Errr... I was trying to help you out pal.

The fact that you allegedly have 10 years experience on Ebay and you bought of a seller with under 20 feedback - one of those negative.

You deserve everything you get.

There is always one. Moron.

rolf_f

Thebigbee wrote:

[Errr... I was trying to help you out pal.

The fact that you allegedly have 10 years experience on Ebay and you bought of a seller with under 20 feedback - one of those negative.

You deserve everything you get.

There is always one. Moron.

Trying to help him out by encouraging him to steal from Evans. You are possibly not the best source of help.........

mattshrops

has anyone considered this is probably a second? The price and fact that it is carbon would then make sense-no?
Sorry but imo youre being seriously anal. "They'll all be laughing when they see your dodgy bottle cage" Err NO no-one will notice no-one will care, cept you. Fair enough if youre bothered then buy from a reputable source. My 2p.

rolf_f

mattshrops wrote:

has anyone considered this is probably a second? The price and fact that it is carbon would then make sense-no?

It's not a second - it's a fake. Seriously - isn't it blindingly obvious? A second is something where, for example, maybe the printing is a bit off. It isn't something with a different type face, different markings and a different shaped moulding that is only superficially the similar to the real thing.

Anonymous

2 pages of sniping over a bottle cage, I'm off back to cakestop.

MountainMonster

Rolf F wrote:

mattshrops wrote:

has anyone considered this is probably a second? The price and fact that it is carbon would then make sense-no?

It's not a second - it's a fake. Seriously - isn't it blindingly obvious? A second is something where, for example, maybe the printing is a bit off. It isn't something with a different type face, different markings and a different shaped moulding that is only superficially the similar to the real thing.

It could very well be a second, maybe they put the wrong font on that one, and realized it. It doesn't look too far off from the way it should be, so second is a very good possibility.

saprkzz

dmclite wrote:

2 pages of sniping over a bottle cage, I'm off back to cakestop.

LOL, exaclty whay i was thinking, a 25 quid bottle cage,

I actually like the look of it!.. its only £25 quid.. i would be happy with it

Ginjafro

Specialized (fake!) pahhh....Planet X do a very nice carbon cage, that works, for about £20 or 2 for £35 - bargain!

rolf_f

MountainMonster wrote:

It could very well be a second, maybe they put the wrong font on that one, and realized it. It doesn't look too far off from the way it should be, so second is a very good possibility.

It's not even the right shape. Even if they magicked the wrong font out of nowhere, I'd stuggle to see where the crude mould came from. It isn't a second. It's a fake. If you can't see that, keep away from street sellers flogging Rolex's.

skdotcom

Thebigbee wrote:

skdotcom wrote:

dmclite wrote:

Well............if you paid £25 for this, it is made of carbon, looks almost identical and the real deal costs £40, then you have to think, bargain, but also, if its too good to be true then it probably is. Sorry mate, you take your chances on Ebay.

Plus, if it works, then it works.

Alternatively, get yourself down Evans, buy a genuine one, then swap them over and take it back attached to original packaging and get money back. Obviously this would be illegal and morally ambiguous.

Err...what planet do you live on! You've never bought something at less than RRP?

Whether it works or not, its not what I paid for, and how do I know if its manufactured to the same quality.

I'm waiting for the seller to reply to my emails, but no luck so far. I've opened a dispute via paypal, so will wait and see what happens.

Errr... I was trying to help you out pal.

The fact that you allegedly have 10 years experience on Ebay and you bought of a seller with under 20 feedback - one of those negative.

You deserve everything you get.

There is always one. Moron.

So in short, your suggestion is to steal a genuine one from Evans.

Great advice, thanks. Moron.

MountainMonster

Rolf F wrote:

MountainMonster wrote:

It could very well be a second, maybe they put the wrong font on that one, and realized it. It doesn't look too far off from the way it should be, so second is a very good possibility.

It's not even the right shape. Even if they magicked the wrong font out of nowhere, I'd stuggle to see where the crude mould came from. It isn't a second. It's a fake. If you can't see that, keep away from street sellers flogging Rolex's.

LOL! So passionate over a bottle cage!

navrig

Just goes to show what a bunch of mugs we are for the proper name or logo. All the big manufacturers must be wetting themselves over how much they make over individual items like jerseys, bottle cages and the like.

All so we can look cooler than the guy in front or behind us.

The people having the biggest laugh however are the Chinese who make the carbon frames and brand them as their own.

How sad are we?