[luiztfc]

Long story short, I'm brazilian so I have two options for shopping headphones, a fellow head-fier willing to ship overseas and Ebay. While searching for an ESW9 on Ebay, I found several chinese sellers offering "De Luxe" or "Luxury" ESW9 for $89 dollars. Hell, I'm almost positive that these are all fake but now I'm afraid that even the ones from american sellers can be fake as well. How is the real situation? Are all of them fakes? And how can I distinguish a real from a fake?

Just to illustrate my point:

Audio Technica ATH-ESW9 Le Luxe WOODEN Headphones - eBay (item 180431339705 end time Dec-11-09 06:39:52 PST) (The fact that ebay recognizes him as top-rated seller saddens me)

Audio-Technica - ATH-ESW9 - Luxury Headphones - NIB!!!! - eBay (item 110456011118 end time Dec-10-09 05:12:09 PST)

Audio Technica, ATH ESW9, Headphones, SEALED, FREE SHIP - eBay (item 130347051460 end time Dec-24-09 06:18:00 PST) (This is one has the guts to put a section in his AD in which he tries to justify his low price, it's worth reading)

Ps, if you want to pm with trusted ebay sellers, I'd also be glad.

 

[azncookiecutter]

They're all fake. Don't use eBay, it's safer to get it from someone here on Head-Fi.

 

[charliex]

If much less than msrp, then DEFINITELY FAKE!! Counterfeit ESW 9's have flooded the market.

 

[thechungster]

"If it's too good to be true, then it probably is"

 

[fatcat28037]

The ESW9 seems to be a favorite with scammers. These fakes show up frequently.

 

[t0dy]

"Excellent lambskin unpleasant pad in installation feeling and durability."
..first link

"3). Our products can transport the world; but time than the transportation (U.S., UK, Australia) to slowly for many days; please be patient; if more than 30 days was not received. Please contact us! [...]"
...second link

"Audio Technica, ATH ESW9, Headphones, SEALED, FREE SHIP"
...now THAT'S one hell of a deal!

(third link)

 

[120717]

FAIK IGNOAR

 

[Neet]

All fake screw china.

 

[Currawong]

I've reported all three. If you find more, just hit the report link, and select "trademark infringement" and the appropriate options. If we all keep reporting them enough, hopefully ebay will take more notice.

 

[Pyriel0]

I wonder how long till they figure out to use this forum and charge higher prices so people won't think they are fakes. Especially since this site has ******* that do things like buy the HF2 and then sell it right after for a large profit.

 

[Halftrack]

I would assume that these are sold to the uninitiated - "OMG WOOD HEADPHONES LEATHER OOH $90 WILL BUY NOW".

 

[Sebhelyesfarku]

Buy them all and you solve the fake problem.

 

[nullstring]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sebhelyesfarku /img/forum/go_quote.gif Buy them all and you solve the fake problem.

errrrrrrr........

 

[luiztfc]

Yep, so they are indeed fake. I support Currawong's idea and I've flagged all of them as counterfeit. Let's hope that with mass flagging Ebay do something about.

I suppose I'll have to take the harder way: supporting head-fiers (

). I'll keep an eye on the marketplace section.

One last doubt, is the HD650 also a target for chinese counterfeiting?

Quote:

Originally Posted by t0dy /img/forum/go_quote.gif "Excellent lambskin unpleasant pad in installation feeling and durability." ..first link "3). Our products can transport the world; but time than the transportation (U.S., UK, Australia) to slowly for many days; please be patient; if more than 30 days was not received. Please contact us! [...]" ...second link "Audio Technica, ATH ESW9, Headphones, SEALED, FREE SHIP" ...now THAT'S one hell of a deal! (third link)

And if you ever find the prices too strange, there's a reasonable explanation for them (taken from the third link):


"DOUBTS ON WHY IT'S SO CHEAP?

1. ECONOMIES OF SCALE, when retailers, wholesalers purchase in large quantity they are able to get it at a cheaper price. Since ebay sellers have low overhead expenses, the prices of products on ebay are cheaper than what you would buy at wal-mart. Wal-mart has to pay for staff salaries, electricity. Whereas I just pay for my internet bills.


2. This is factory sealed, this means the headphones come in a sealed plastic package which has never been opened. Directly sealed by machine. There is no warranty, and no s/n code. However, you get it at a much much cheaper price!"

 

[ecclesand]

Yes, but how do they sound? Who knows...maybe they sound better than the real thing.