EVERYONE DESERVES TO KNOW ABOUT THE CURRENT COUNTERFEIT TRENDS WITH GOLF CLUBS

I know that many of you will find this bit of information very interesting. The simple rule is still "If it's to good to be true, it often is".

Aside from the fake counterfeit name brand sets coming out Asia, the buyer now has another counterfeit element to deal with.

Fraud is a crime that evolves daily.

With the emergence of fake clubs into world markets, there has been increased buyer demands on serial numbers. Pointless, when the fraudsters have developed the practice of copying serial numbers. No different than counterfeit money! Here's how it works:

The manufacturing companies keep track of their inventory with serial numbers. The information that the serial number tracks is what type of club it should be associated to. For example, let's say a Callaway FT-9 driver 10* has a serial number of XXXXXX. You contact a Callaway representative or customer service and ask them to verify the serial number XXXXXX. They punch the serial number into their computer and they advise that yes, the serial number is associated to a Callaway FT-9 driver 10*. They can't tell you much more than that other than where the components were manufactured and assembled. What they can't tell you is if the new club has been sold nor where it is located.

A valid serial number from an authentic club, can be mass produced on the same style counterfeit club. No different than someone producing a mass number of fake bills with the same serial number. The fraudster futher masks the fraudulent serial with a fake hosel sticker that appears legitimate for registering the product with the company. Just one problem, after reading the entire sticker: It's not a North American club and therefore can't be registered in North America. It's all BS. They have to put that on b/c product registration will not work. The club is not recognized as belonging in the North American market.

The second biggest scam that is starting to surface is a direct result of buyers becoming leary of "New" clubs. Counterfeit clubs are being advertised as gently used. Makes sense from a behavioural science perspective on buying behaviour. Buyers are so worried about buying new items at low cost b/c of the fear of receiving a fake club. The buyer feels more comfortable buying something classed as gently used. There is a false sense of security that a slightly used item must be authentic. At the end of the day it doesn't matter. New or slightly used, It's either authentic or not.

The last thing I have to share is this final question. It's advice that has been shared by many writers. How can a seller sell the same item over and over and over again with what seems to be an endless supply????

I recently checked out some major manufacturing websites. It appears that they are working hard to combat the ever growing problem of fake club selling. Many sites now have sections where you can report ebay user names who have sold fraudulent items. They are all listed for public viewing and some are now starting to list fraudulent serial numbers. So, If you have ever dealt with someone who has sold fake items, then help others by considering to offer the information to these websites. I would also recomend all buyers from reviewing the list of known fraudsters.

Updated literature also advises that in order to avoid being scammed with a fake item, REFRAIN from buying heads only! Especially if Name brand and new! The golf companies do not practice selling heads, they sell the entire contstucted product. There has been a rise in head only auctions and many are advertised as TOUR heads, ASIAN model, FROM THE TOUR VAN, and the list goes on.

If people continue to buy and support from dishonest sellers, they will continue to exist and will continue to sell.

So the next time you are about to buy that Genuine Brand New TaylorMade,Callaway, Etc 2008 Driver for a mere 125.00, do everyone a favour and give yourself a "Wake up" smack to the side of the head. If you insist on being naive, don't come back crying when you find out that your club is a fake. No one will be listening.