How do you verify the product you buy isn't a knock off?

You can see the archived poll results on the Wayback Machine:

How do you verify the product you buy isn't a knock off? - Commercial Sellers' Spot - BudgetLightForum.com

I’d personally say all of these except taking a risk :stuck_out_tongue:

Check with dealer website- only buy from verified dealer shops
Look at review pictures and try to figure it out
Take a risk and return it if it sucks
Only buy knock offs bc brand doesn’t matter
Use my flashlight spidey sense to ward off evil fakery

There is no way to verify a Chinese product purchased from a Chinese company located in China is authentic or not.

In addition to what BlueSwordM stated, I also try to get a read from forum members buying experiences. Usually if a problem crops up with a purchase, you will be able to read about it here.

I buy from certified dealer.
Mike

flashlights are not as commonly counterfeited as phones, watches, appliances

and REVIEWS!

I know there are fake knives. I know that fenix has made vague statements implying that there are fakes out there. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of or seen of evidence of fake flashlights though. There are some brands that are very similar with different names made in the same factories but that’s not a fake.

You have to peek under the hood :smiling_imp:

I agree. Even the $18 v11r’s few years ago were genuine.

I’ve been a victim of being sent a ‘fake’ flashlight. It’s not in the sense that I was given a mirror-image knockoff but rather I was sent an inferior item instead of what I was paying for.

I was supposed to receive a Lumintop GT Nano… instead, what I received was a small flashlight that looks like a Nano, the size of a Nano, running a removable 10180 battery and with built-in micro USB charging. It has that irritating on-low-medium-hight-strobe-off sequence on the switch.

I tried to return it, the seller refused, I tried to file a complaint on the platform but they ended up siding with the seller. So essentially I spent USD20 on something that’ll cost USD2 on the street.

Yes, it’s a Chinese seller located in China.

Just when I thought it would be a novelty, I dropped it and the glass shattered into 3pcs.

So yeah, now when shopping for flashlights, I stay away from sellers who don’t specialize in flashlights.

Professionals up in here!