Sennheiser speaks out on fake headphones - from eBay and beyond

[Clare Newsome]

I've just had this in from Sennheiser - a statement on its website (also available as an eBay buyer's guide) on the amount of fake headphones (and, it seems, microphones!) doing the rounds.

http://www.sennheiser.co.uk/uk/icm.nsf/root/contact_ebay

The guide includes how to spot a fake pair of Sennheiser headphones, plus how to report a dodgy seller.

I'm expecting more comment from Sennheiser on this tomorrow, so if you have any further questions on the matter you'd like me to put to them, let me know this evening...

 

[PJPro]

You know, I think Ebay should do more to tackle fakes being sold on their website. At the end of the day, they are brokering deals between consumers and criminals. So I do not support the view that the consumer should take care. Ebay should be providing a safe environment for the public to make purchases in. Why aren't they doing more to tackle this problem? And why aren't the manufacturers prosecuting Ebay? Because Ebay too big?

Having said all of that, the best strategy is to keep an eye out for the fakes.

 

[Anonymous]

yeh too right. ebay is has been pretty good to me but can be dodgy sometimes so it would be good if they could take more measures.

 

[laserman16]

Ebay claim to remove fakes and pirated stuff off the site but a quick glance on the DVD section usually throws up some dodgy deals. Yet these dealers keep putting up items for sale. If the average punter can spot them why can't Ebay.

 

[Sliced Bread]

PJPro:You know, I think Ebay should do more to tackle fakes being sold on their website. At the end of the day, they are brokering deals between consumers and criminals. So I do not support the view that the consumer should take care. Ebay should be providing a safe environment for the public to make purchases in. Why aren't they doing more to tackle this problem? And why aren't the manufacturers prosecuting Ebay? Because Ebay too big?

Having said all of that, the best strategy is to keep an eye out for the fakes.

Couldn't agree more. I used to work as a probation service officer before I moved to IT, and we had a cash converter shop directly next to the office. You would see the same repeat offenders coming and going from these places, and they would still buy goods off them. I mean...come on...how many car radio's does one person own. In my opinion it is handling stolen / counterfeit goods and these shops & e-bay should be held accountable.

 

[Highway]

PJPro:You know, I think Ebay should do more to tackle fakes being sold on their website. At the end of the day, they are brokering deals between consumers and criminals. So I do not support the view that the consumer should take care. Ebay should be providing a safe environment for the public to make purchases in. Why aren't they doing more to tackle this problem? And why aren't the manufacturers prosecuting Ebay? Because Ebay too big? Having said all of that, the best strategy is to keep an eye out for the fakes.

I totally agree, I think ebay do too little in this area. I have seen numerous fake or copied CD's and DVD's for sale. Some of the sellers don't even disguise the fact. My experience with ebay has been mixed to say the least. They are poor in disputes and communication. More resources should be put into "weeding" out unreputable sellers.

 

[ElectroMan]

I also wonder why companies whose products are being faked on eBay don't take more action (okay, I know a designer label prosecuted someone recently).

I mean, there are loads of obviously counterfeit copies of software, e.g. Adobe Photoshop CS2, selling for ridiculously small sums.

So why don't Adobe, for example, buy some of these off eBay then prosecute the sellers?

 

[Anonymous]

Would ebay have to prove that the sellers knew they were selling fake goods.

Surely the seller could just say 'oooh, i didn't know. I'll be more careful next time'

Just a thoughtÿ

 

[Anonymous]

My brother got a pair of sennheiser headphones for 12 quid from ebay and they are originals.

 

[ElectroMan]

leenorris78:
Would ebay have to prove that the sellers knew they were selling fake goods.

Surely the seller could just say 'oooh, i didn't know. I'll be more careful next time'

Just a thought

I don't think that would be a valid defence if it went to court! Besides, sellers of fakes tend to have loads of them for sale, not just one or two.

 

[fatboyslimfast]

Hmmm, interesting to note that Amazon are not one of their authorised stockists. I can understand the amazon marketplace, but would have thought that Amazon themselves would be authorised.

Clare - please could you ask Sennheiser whether items bought from Amazon themselves would be covered by their warranty?

 

[Clare Newsome]

Amazon often get supplied from authorised distributors, rather than deal direct with all the gazillions of separate companies whose products they stock - i'll check if this is the case with Sennheiser.

 

[Binman]

Re Amazon - They are selling the CX300 via a preferred merchant in a special 'eco' edition which amongst other things has

"Minimized printing on packaging, maximised product protection"

and "Packaging made from 78 per cent recycled paper, 100 per cent recyclable, NO plastics, NO glues"

Sennheiser tell us to look out for poorly printed labels and material - the above has just put me off buying them from Amazon, so it would be nice to know if they are the real deal.

 

[Anonymous]

Ebay should do more? HA!

If they're gonna start cleaning up their act anywhere it'd be the millions of tickets touted on there... it's a serious problem now affecting the ability of the average punter to go see a gig he wants when tickets to most medium-sized-upwards events sell out in minutes as they're hoovered up by touts to be flogged at 3-4- times face value on ebay...

But d'you see anything changing?... Think they're gonna care about a few dodgy headphones?

 

[Anonymous]

Clare Newsome:Amazon often get supplied from authorised distributors, rather than deal direct with all the gazillions of separate companies whose products they stock - i'll check if this is the case with Sennheiser.


Clare - did you ever check as I've just ordered some HD595s from Amazon themselves for £112 delivered - now I'm a little worried!

Thanks

 

[lonely boy]

I wouldn't worry - it's mostly the lower-end models (CX300's PX100's, etc) that are the problem, the price seems right as well.

I did have a little scare when I ordered my K701's (ordered from an Amazon Seller) just before Christmas, as when I received them the design was a little bit different from the pictures I'd seen - eg AKG logo missing... I did think for a moment that they were fake, but on plugging them in... no way were they fake!

 

[Anonymous]

lonely boy:I wouldn't worry - it's mostly the lower-end models (CX300's PX100's, etc) that are the problem, the price seems right as well.

I did have a little scare when I ordered my K701's (ordered from an Amazon Seller) just before Christmas, as when I received them the design was a little bit different from the pictures I'd seen - eg AKG logo missing... I did think for a moment that they were fake, but on plugging them in... no way were they fake!

Lonely, thanks for the attempt at a confidence boost. However, the price has crept up - and has done again tonight - from £96 about a week ago for some reason. I knee-jerked and bought it tonight in case it went any further (ebay is nearer £120)

Hope it's the real deal! Fingers crossed.

 

[Anonymous]

*bump for Clare/WHFI team

 

[matts]

[EDITED BY MODS - please do not link to your own commercial site]

 

[idc]

Er, there is an excellent site fakeheadphones.com that gives loads of info and pictures to help you out.

Lonely boy, AKG seem to be OK, but no logo? Mine do. What is your serial number?

 

[Alantiggger]

eBay is fine to buy from if you use PayPal whether faulty or broken for whatever reason ... PayPal will refund you and in most cases you can even keep the item if you want it.

 

[idc]

I have reported fake stuff to ebay, to no effect. These Van Den Hul are fake and are still being sold... clicky They may be made with VDH cable, but the phonos are Neutrik Rean put on by the seller, who still describes them as the D102 MkIII.

 

[kena]

unconditional:

Ebay should do more? HA!

If they're gonna start cleaning up their act anywhere it'd be the millions of tickets touted on there... it's a serious problem now affecting the ability of the average punter to go see a gig he wants when tickets to most medium-sized-upwards events sell out in minutes as they're hoovered up by touts to be flogged at 3-4- times face value on ebay...

But d'you see anything changing?... Think they're gonna care about a few dodgy headphones?

Agree completely gig lovers should behave like the "tartan army" supporters who bidded up to 1 million for the Spain match tickets forcing the touts to withdraw...