Torque Test Channel..counterfeit spark plugs

[pwd72s]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIAMB8mQqFo (18 minutes)

[rfuerst911sc]

Counterfeit auto parts is a problem and getting worse .

[masraum]

counterfeit spark plugs seems crazy, but yeah, they are a thing.

Best you can do is to only buy from valid sources, don't buy from eBay to get a deal, and if you buy from Amazon, don't buy from other sellers.

Although I think I've recently read somewhere, that if 5 different sellers including Amazon sell the same product, that the products are all pooled in one place on the shelf. So you could have 4 sellers selling legit stuff, but if one seller is selling counterfeit, then it's the luck of the draw.

I can see how ^that^ might be a thing that Amazon would do for efficiency, I also find it a little hard to believe that they'd pool their stuff with the stuff from essentially unknown sources.

[look 171]

I jsut don't understand what the benefit is for such a small, inexpensive item like a plugs benefit anyone. how much is made one a set of plugs even if its a 3rd world country and that a few bucks goes a long way. They still have to invest in the fake plugs

[A930Rocket]

Ms Rocket’s Tahoe tailgate isn’t going up. Looking at online dealers, the electric strut sells for almost $400. The non electric strut was $150.

Amazon has GM Genuine struts for $178 and $88.

I guess it’s worth a shot to try them…

[afterburn 549]

If one studies "counterfeit" for a couple of days, it will be truly amazing how much of it is out there! All wrapped and pretty, almost exactly like OEM!
One has to be an expert to tell the difference.
But the difference shows up shortly after use.
Plugs, pumps, bearings, you name it.

[LWJ]

Some plugs are NOT particularly inexpensive. Multiply x 8 or more, and the fraudster could get a respectable sale.

In the case of plugs, I would assume it is a factory that currently manufactures plugs under a different name and simply applies different graphics and packaging. Low barrier if that is the case.

[911 Rod]

What irks me is when you pay top dollar for OEM stuff and it is not OEM.
I need new spark plugs for my 996TT and I'm seriously thinking of buying them from the dealer.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by LWJ

Some plugs are NOT particularly inexpensive. Multiply x 8 or more, and the fraudster could get a respectable sale.

In the case of plugs, I would assume it is a factory that currently manufactures plugs under a different name and simply applies different graphics and packaging. Low barrier if that is the case.

the days of 99¢ spark plugs is long gone. I think these days there are plugs it the $7-15 range (you can tell it's been a while since I purchased plugs).

[masraum]

Originally Posted by 911 Rod

What irks me is when you pay top dollar for OEM stuff and it is not OEM.
I need new spark plugs for my 996TT and I'm seriously thinking of buying them from the dealer.

there are a few dealerships that are attempting to compete with parts suppliers by performing mail order of genuine parts at discounted prices (vs most dealer parts counter prices). I think there are several, but the one that I'm most familiar with is "Suncoast Porsche Parts" which is a dealership out of Sarasota, FL. I think I heard about a dealership in Denver too.

[aschen]

I dont buy car parts from amazon these days unless I know the seller.

About 5 years ago I needed a timing belt kit for my wifes odyssey. According to the internet it is very difficult to tell the difference (on the outside) from fake to real. Right down to the packaging and stickers, and some amazon kits are apparently the fakes. If they fake a whole kit right down to the stickers, then I don't trust simpler things from the site.

[aschen]

Originally Posted by masraum

there are a few dealerships that are attempting to compete with parts suppliers by performing mail order of genuine parts at discounted prices (vs most dealer parts counter prices). I think there are several, but the one that I'm most familiar with is "Suncoast Porsche Parts" which is a dealership out of Sarasota, FL. I think I heard about a dealership in Denver too.

this is the best way to buy parts imho, seems like there are a few of these for every make.

[afterburn 549]

Originally Posted by aschen

I dont buy car parts from amazon these days unless I know the seller.

About 5 years ago I needed a timing belt kit for my wifes odyssey. According to the internet it is very difficult to tell the difference (on the outside) from fake to real. Right down to the packaging and stickers, and some amazon kits are apparently the fakes. If they fake a whole kit right down to the stickers, then I don't trust simpler things from the site.

Agreed ! Most of Amazon's parts are fake!
And that's my point: Amazon- there is no recourse except returns.
No reputation to ding.
At least with ebay there is that.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by masraum

there are a few dealerships that are attempting to compete with parts suppliers by performing mail order of genuine parts at discounted prices (vs most dealer parts counter prices). I think there are several, but the one that I'm most familiar with is "Suncoast Porsche Parts" which is a dealership out of Sarasota, FL. I think I heard about a dealership in Denver too.

I get Suncoast mixed up with Sunset in Portland OR. They do it too. Shipping would be cheaper and faster for me.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by aschen

this is the best way to buy parts imho, seems like there are a few of these for every make.

Yep, there are also a handful of Subaru places.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

Agreed ! Most of Amazon's parts are fake!
And that's my point: Amazon- there is no recourse except returns.
No reputation to ding.
At least with ebay there is that.

Is it that the parts that Amazon is selling are fake or that the parts being sold by third parties through Amazon are fake? Maybe the answer is both, but I think it's far more likely that the fakes are being sold by third parties through Amazon. I don't generally buy auto parts through Amazon regardless.

[afterburn 549]

I have no clue except I just "dont buy " anymore

[Zeke]

The easy return is the immediate protection you have with A. I bought brand name belts for the Jag and they looked the deal. Not a real high volume part so maybe not a target. Something like an oil filter I think I'd want to trust the source. Not something you can really examine unless it's just a crappy build.

[afterburn 549]

Not reeeealy, once you install it and it fails prematurely, who are you going to return it to?
The wheel bearing fails at less than 20K (BTDT)
Other parts don't fit right, work right, etc., etc.
But the knowledge is gained way too much after the installation .
Now, we are out the labor time and get to do it again just for practice and buy somewhere else, again

[Zeke]

@afterburn 549, I was thinking in terms of initial visual inspection like a counterfeit spark plug. If you can't tell the difference, don't buy any. Once installed, I agree, you own it. Maybe you can get a warranty but that is not the "return" that I am talking about. It's more of a refusal.