Amazon Knipex Cobras

[boom_bap]

This is a stupid post but I figured someone here would know.

I ordered some 10" Cobras from Amazon. They showed up with no packaging, just in the amazon envelope in a little plastic bag only covering the head. I thought that was a bit odd, other Knipex products I've ordered always came in a white Knipex box. They appear new so I figured its all good, but I was curious if anyone else has seen that or if there are know knockoffs being sold.

 

[mike93lx]

Who was the seller?
I never buy stuff like this from 3rd parties, due to the risk of fakes and bad service

 

[Stelzer]

I bought the set of 3 off Amazon a short while back without issues, but that doesn't mean that there are sometimes issues of counterfeit stock floating around. Best thing to do is look at the seller's profile. If they are a new seller, it could be pause for concern. I'm no Knipex authenticator, but yours looks legit to me.

 

[p90puma]

The old rules about seller no longer apply for Amazon in 2023, stock is mixed from various sellers and shipped from the same warehouses.

Buy products that have tamper resistant packaging if you are concerned.

 

[boom_bap]

It was a random seller. ts Commerce.

 

[assassin10000]

They look legit. Maybe an open box product?

I've gotten knipex from the UK/EU like that with no box, just a bag or bubble wrap.

 

[mike93lx]

The old rules about seller no longer apply for Amazon in 2023, stock is mixed from various sellers and shipped from the same warehouses.

Buy products that have tamper resistant packaging if you are concerned.

It's absolutely worth checking.

There is the seller and the shipper/servicer. Two different things

 

[ItsNemo]

I've had various packaging, white box but also clamshell. I've never had Knipex stuff show up just in a bag though.

They do have all the right markings though, so hard to say if they're fake or just some b-stock or repackaged returns or something.

 

[merkyworks]

Yours look like they are the real deal but I can relate. Perhaps they were a return or maybe part of a set that was broken up.
Bought a set of 5" on prime day for $25 from a 3rd party. Was concerned about fakes but it came in clear plastic retail package and looked legit to me. Figured if fakes look this good then f*^k it.

 

[tarbellb]

EVERYTHING is a knock-off
EVERYTHING is a conspiracy
TRUST NO ONE

 

[p90puma]

It's absolutely worth checking.

There is the seller and the shipper/servicer. Two different things

Amazon inventory management causes authentic vendors to sell fakes

Commingled bins in Amazon's inventory management system mixes fakes and real products, causing authentic sellers to receive backlash for counterfeiting.

www.redpoints.com

Just sayin'.

 

[nadogail]

I like to feel the tools in my hand before I lay my Credit Card down. I have not yet bought tools from Amazon.

 

[darkzero]

If it's from reputable seller I wouldn't worry. I've received Knipex from Amazon in no retail packaging or bulk packaging, never a concern for me.

If you prefer retail packaging order with SBA in the p/n. SBA usually costs more but not always. I always older non-SBA (besides the times when they are cheaper) because I don't care about the packaging.

But ordering non-SBA, some Knipex I still receive in the cardboard boxes. IIRC SBA usually means you'll get it in a clamshell or plastic hanging card but sometimes cardboard box depending on the tool. And some big items will never come in retail packaging, just sealed in a bag with some sort of card insert.

Edit: Wera does the same for some of their individual items, I forget what their retail packaging codes are. Sets usually come in retail packaging.

 

[boom_bap]

Sounds like a mix of it all, I think they're probably good enough for me. They're pliers so they're going to grab on **** anyways and not just sit around.. thanks for all the input.

 

[Pexto]

I got a pair of 7" Cobras recently that came in plastic wrap, and I was worried they were counterfeits, although they looked very similar to my 10" Cobras that came in a cardboard box from Germany a few years ago. So I tested them pretty hard, cranking on some old Grade 8 bolts that I clamped in my big bench vise. Not quite tool abuse, but let's call it hard usage. They did just fine - they didn't break, the jaws are definitely good hard steel that showed no signs of wear. I was grabbing the bolts with the Cobras, twisting, and turning and deliberately loosening my grip so the Cobras would slip under load. If they were counterfeits, they seem as good as the ones that came in a Knipex box.

 

[lardy1]

It took me asking for help to understand Knipex's code numbers. It's not as complicated as I thought it was and the packaging is often disclosed in the code number (as DarkZero points out above).

EVERYTHING is a knock-off
EVERYTHING is a conspiracy
TRUST NO ONE

We've become a society of victims. Everyone is victimized and it's our duty to society to make sure everyone around us knows about the abuse.

 

[mike93lx]

Amazon inventory management causes authentic vendors to sell fakes

Commingled bins in Amazon's inventory management system mixes fakes and real products, causing authentic sellers to receive backlash for counterfeiting.

www.redpoints.com

Just sayin'.

I get that. Amazon does fulfillment for a lot of sellers and seeing it sold from them isn't conclusive. I still avoid third party sellers.

 

[Jure]

These are legit knipex,no matter of packaging they came in...

 

[legenddc]

I can't remember if it was my 10" Cobras or the twin-grips that I bought last week but one of them came in Knipex branded cardboard packaging and one was just wrapped up like yours. From what I can tell they seem to be real but I did share the same concerns as you.

 

[KCTool_Official]

Though they weren't bought from us, I am 99% sure they are legit. When we buy in bulk to save on costs, they sometimes come in just the plastic covering to protect them in shipping. That is normal. We usually pack these in an outer layer to protect them further, but the thin plastic around that is standard issue direct from Knipex.

 

[M635_Guy]

Though they weren't bought from us, I am 99% sure they are legit. When we buy in bulk to save on costs, they sometimes come in just the plastic covering to protect them in shipping. That is normal. We usually pack these in an outer layer to protect them further, but the thin plastic around that is standard issue direct from Knipex.

I appreciate that you guys are (A) on this forum and (B) willing to help, even in cases where it wasn't your order.

It's an excellent reason to check out KCTool before clicking the button on Amazon...

 

[cherokee]

I like to feel the tools in my hand before I lay my Credit Card down. I have not yet bought tools from Amazon.

So where do you park your time machine.

 

[cherokee]

I look at it as, packaging costs money as well. If you don't need to use it, like in a direct sale to the customer why spend the money on a box or plastic clamshell only to have the customer open the box then open another box and toss both in the burn pile.

It likely saves them .3 of a penny, and that can add up just like Office Space showed us.

On the other hand, yes I can see "fakes" being sold this way.

 

[Outahere]

Amazon inventory management causes authentic vendors to sell fakes

Commingled bins in Amazon's inventory management system mixes fakes and real products, causing authentic sellers to receive backlash for counterfeiting.

www.redpoints.com

Just sayin'.

Excerpt from that article:

....Don’t worry, it’s not all doom and gloom. There are measures brands can take to prevent commingled inventory ruining their standing on Amazon.....
.......The best solution is to use Amazon barcodes instead of manufacturer’s barcodes................ By using an Amazon barcode, orders made through your channel will exclusively send items from the inventory you have provided...

 

[bcradio]

Probably factory seconds that were returned by someone else for being defective and sold to you at full price again because they could....


kidding of course

 

[Grokew]

If it's from reputable seller I wouldn't worry. I've received Knipex from Amazon in no retail packaging or bulk packaging, never a concern for me.

If you prefer retail packaging order with SBA in the p/n. SBA usually costs more but not always. I always older non-SBA (besides the times when they are cheaper) because I don't care about the packaging.

But ordering non-SBA, some Knipex I still receive in the cardboard boxes. IIRC SBA usually means you'll get it in a clamshell or plastic hanging card but sometimes cardboard box depending on the tool. And some big items will never come in retail packaging, just sealed in a bag with some sort of card insert.

Edit: Wera does the same for some of their individual items, I forget what their retail packaging codes are. Sets usually come in retail packaging.

Can confirm, Wera single tools usually come with nothing but a paper tag/sticker around the tool itself. But the packaging they use for the sets is just beautiful.

Edit: I have also received knipex tools wrapped in just brown paper. Now I'm worried

 

[boom_bap]

Though they weren't bought from us, I am 99% sure they are legit. When we buy in bulk to save on costs, they sometimes come in just the plastic covering to protect them in shipping. That is normal. We usually pack these in an outer layer to protect them further, but the thin plastic around that is standard issue direct from Knipex.

I appreciate that you guys are (A) on this forum and (B) willing to help, even in cases where it wasn't your order.

It's an excellent reason to check out KCTool before clicking the button on Amazon...

+1 Thanks KCTool.

 

[kbeefy]

I've received knipex in a clear, unmarked bag before.

 

[Madjik Man]

This is a stupid post but I figured someone here would know.

I ordered some 10" Cobras from Amazon. They showed up with no packaging, just in the amazon envelope in a little plastic bag only covering the head. I thought that was a bit odd, other Knipex products I've ordered always came in a white Knipex box. They appear new so I figured its all good, but I was curious if anyone else has seen that or if there are know knockoffs being sold.

Received a pair in the same fashion.

They’re new and work fine.

 

[dallastide]

My twin grips from Amazon showed up like this. Generic bag with no packaging. As far as I can tell they are real and they've worked as advertised. Doesn't really bother me as I don't want the box anyways.

 

[Dave455]

They're genuine I'm sure!

Knipex offer three types of packaging - cardboard box, hang tag with a plastic tie, and basically no packing, which in practice means the flimsy plastic bag you got!

Some retailers offer a choice - usually a different suffix after the part number. I opt for a box if there's only a small price difference. Its usually about 20c!

 

[legenddc]

Though they weren't bought from us, I am 99% sure they are legit. When we buy in bulk to save on costs, they sometimes come in just the plastic covering to protect them in shipping. That is normal. We usually pack these in an outer layer to protect them further, but the thin plastic around that is standard issue direct from Knipex.

And this right there is why I should have just spent the extra money and bought them from you. Next time I need want some tools I'll do just that.

 

[CR888]

The packaging types are listed in description. Carded, boxes, bulk plastic wrap etc. U want the cheapest price, likely they'll be bulk ordered and not be in costly packaging. Totally normal, Ive bought 400's, 300, 250's & 150's in plastic wrap. Others in boxes with holsters etc. Im not saying there arent fakes out there, but Ive never had ANY. Its not a good business model to send out fakes when Prime members can return them free of charge no questions asked. The OP has legit Knipex if you want OEM packaging select items that specify that, I bet if you look ay the details in the listing it would mention its a bulk purchased item sent out in budget packaging. Which is fine, its good to have options.

 

[Fatboy148!]

I’ve had sellers (HJE) ask if I want the packaging or if they cold separate and send it along too. Sometimes it might save space in their shipping box and open options

 

[Crazyjake8493]

That's how all of mine have been shipped and they're all legit. I'm not that concerned with what my items are packaged in as long as I receive them without damage.

 

[tarbellb]

First the Children now the Knipex!

What's next!

 

[Kuma601]

Check how warranty is handled as well. Some manufacturers will not have warranty of gray-third party sellers of the product. When I was shopping for a CDI torque wrench at the time, it listed Amazon was not an authorized seller. I bought from the local tool supply for a lower price and they were an authorized seller.

 

[Meursault74]

I've ordered other tools (From Channellock and Park tools) from online vendors and they have come in just a plastic bag. They were "bulk".
If they're not going to be hanging in a store, then they don't need the retail packaging. Saves the company a little bit of money.

 

[jgeoffr]

Late to the party but can certainly say that most of my Knipex coming straight from their UAE office is in bags only.

 

[Ton ton]

I like to feel the tools in my hand before I lay my Credit Card down. I have not yet bought tools from Amazon.

I have to agree with you on this concept.