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      02-26-2019, 12:12 PM   #1
NateCbr
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Beware of fake NGK spark plugs

ordered 6 plugs off Amazon. they were much cheaper than most other places but I just thought maybe I was getting a deal. when the USPS label was first printed for tracking, Dayton OH. Then I messaged the seller and he said there were coming from China. Boom red flag. cancelled the order but still received them.

from everything I've read these are bullshit knock offs.
the letter engraving is off. [IMG]undefined[/IMG][IMG]undefined[/IMG]


any input?
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      02-26-2019, 02:17 PM   #2
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Maybe fake, but it seems like they went to a lot of trouble to make them, and the packaging, look real for such an inexpensive item. There's a lot more $$$ to be made with fake Rolex watches and Callaway golf clubs.
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      02-26-2019, 03:58 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
Maybe fake, but it seems like they went to a lot of trouble to make them, and the packaging, look real for such an inexpensive item. There's a lot more $$$ to be made with fake Rolex watches and Callaway golf clubs.
yeah but China makes fake everything. if there's a market and a profit involved....there's a fake for it. they make fake Go Fast Bits diverter valves for our cars. every gas engine has spark plugs. some which cost a decent amount of money also. doesn't surprise me
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      02-26-2019, 03:59 PM   #4
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you can see in the pics how wavy the engraved letting is. I think ngk probably uses laser etching. those are obviously stamped
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      02-26-2019, 04:03 PM   #5
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Im honestly not sure they are fake.

I do get your hesitation though.

You could try contacting NGK to see what they think. Im sure they'd be interested to know a guy is selling counterfeit on eBay.
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      02-26-2019, 04:53 PM   #6
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This pic from Amazon shows stamped engraving.


The OP's boxes are BMW labeled, so why they'd come from China doesn't make sense, unless maybe they fell off a truck.
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      02-26-2019, 05:26 PM   #7
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mine have some of the red flags. but I don't have a real one to compare it next to. some of mine have poor welds. bottom cut is jagged. the lettering/stamping is wavy on most of them. and my copper washer falls right off

I did professional motorcycle stunts for 8 years in my 20's. Our team did shows in Shanghai, Zhuhai and Hong Kong. a guy from my team even lived there for 4 months. learned a lot about their counterfeit market.
I get instant reservations about anything the second I know it's from China. they fake EVERYTHING.

I'm installing a downpipe, charge pipes and going to stage 2 tune my car next weekend. $40 of savings isn't worth the risk of grenading my engine and making a bowl of piston soup. not taking any chances.


off NGKs website
http://www.ngk-sparkplugs.jp/english...ake/index.html

https://www.driven2automotive.com/bl...m-august-2017/


there's lots of YouTube vids about em.




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      02-26-2019, 05:28 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
This pic from Amazon shows stamped engraving.

The OP's boxes are BMW labeled, so why they'd come from China doesn't make sense, unless maybe they fell off a truck.
The Amazon engravings look similar to OP's pictures, right?

It is possible those plugs were shipped from Japan to Chinese vendor for local use, but the Chinese vendor also sells on ebay internationally.
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      02-26-2019, 05:33 PM   #9
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washer comes right off. gonna take them to a part store in a bit and compare side by side with real ones
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      02-27-2019, 06:05 AM   #10
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@NateCbr good info and details for the forum.... keep us posted on what truths come out of this.
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      02-27-2019, 07:39 AM   #11
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Yeah, thank you for this. Now I am questioning the plugs I put in my Nissan Titan a few weeks back...
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      02-27-2019, 08:18 AM   #12
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Very interesting thread. Subscribed.
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      02-27-2019, 10:23 PM   #13
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I’m betting they’re fake. I don’t recall ever seeing that type of a washer on NGK’s.
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      03-01-2019, 01:55 PM   #14
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Throw them in and go for a ride! That should be a pretty good test!
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      03-01-2019, 03:33 PM   #15
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Even if fake they'll probably work well enough for a while. It's how long they'll work I'd be concerned about.
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      03-02-2019, 06:40 AM   #16
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Its a little early for my car to need plugs but I had a coupon and gift card at Rock Auto. These are what came for my car and they seem legit. About $14 a piece...

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      03-02-2019, 07:56 AM   #17
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It's like anything you get from ebay or amazon, if the seller is a legit outfit you're probably OK. If it's some guy operating out of his parent's basement probably not.
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      03-10-2019, 12:39 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
It's like anything you get from ebay or amazon, if the seller is a legit outfit you're probably OK. If it's some guy operating out of his parent's basement probably not.
yeah....most websites should be ok. it's the shady sellers that have weird names and lots of Chinese parts or knock offs they've previously sold.
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      03-13-2019, 01:32 PM   #19
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I've gotten lots of authentic parts from China. Don't just assume their fake
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      03-13-2019, 01:37 PM   #20
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Quote:
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I've gotten lots of authentic parts from China. Don't just assume their fake
I'm the opposite. I assume everything that comes from China is fake. I do my best to not buy anything that comes out of that country.
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      03-13-2019, 02:12 PM   #21
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Whatever device you used to make that post probably came from China. Even items marked Made in USA probably contain parts from China.
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      03-13-2019, 05:38 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
Whatever device you used to make that post probably came from China. Even items marked Made in USA probably contain parts from China.
I should rephrase. If an item is coming from China when I know they are made elsewhere, I assume it is a fake. I completely understand that some items only come from Chinese factories, but I do as much as I can to not buy from China.
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