I read it all of the time on this forum: "Yeah, <name of legitimate business> wants $XX for that part, but I can get the same thing for $YY less from eBay. Why would I buy it from <name of legitimate business>? Besides the fact that many of those parts are outright theft of U.S. technology and jobs, maybe this will make you think twice about supporting counterfeit/stolen intellectual property products (Yes, they are counterfeit/stolen IP. Why the heck did you think they were so cheap? This is just the new version of that guy on a street corner in NYC selling Rolex watches.).

Online buyer, beware: Dangerous fake goods thrive on Web

 

That's a bit of an extreme example, but I do agree with you. You get what you pay for, and it's worth paying extra for a quality product from a trusted company.

 

Yes, extreme example. But you see folks buy brake pads, lights, etc, from questionable sources because they save some money. The idea of failed brakes or an electrical fire seems consistent in risk with the example in the article. Even worse is that some of these counterfeit parts are working their way into legitimate retail chains. But it is way easier and more profitable for the miscreants to peddle their wares on the likes of eBay and CL.

 

Dunno if this is slightly off subject or not but thought I'd throw this out there. I heard on talk radio yesterday that China has finally surpassed the US as the #1 economy. They mentioned the US held that title for, I think, some 143 years in a row or so.

 

I agree completely Mark. They steal American ideas and try to duplicate them with dirt cheap materials and labor. It is sad to me because we are to blame for buying their junk. I always try to buy American whenever possible, but sadly it is becoming harder to do.

This doesn't surprise me, and it's our fault for buying their junk. We are the reason their economy is what it is, and will only get worse unless we quit feeding them instead of ourselves.

 

Look how many overnight LED light vendors there are now. All of them coming from china and we can't get enough

 

I agree, Mark. I transport my 5 y/o son and my wife in my Jeep. They are my world and I'll not put them at risk by putting unknown parts on any of our vehicles. Save up and buy quality parts and in the process support our own economies at a time when they really need our full support.

 

Funny you bring that up. Check out 3:49 on this video of a recent run, LOL ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLkNU8d8w-c

 

Lol. Maybe they should be sold with a decoration only warning. Not intended for off road use..

 

I agree with one of the above posts that when it comes to something like brakes or engine related items I steer way clear of cheap fakes as it is not worth the risk. I rather not know how much stuff we have on our rigs comes from some other place even when we think it is made in the US.