Grey Pneumatic - Do I have a counterfeit ??...

[Crow Horse]

I just received the second Grey Pneumatic wheel weight pliers and I believe there's a strong case that it's a counterfeit or at best a factory second. I purchased them from different sources. Before I go off half cocked, I'd like some opinions regarding this.

I'm sure the questionable plier will serve me well and do the job just fine but if it is a counterfeit or a factory second, well, that really chops my hash.....

Side by side comparison.........

Closeup of genuine GP plier......

The plier in question with some differences pointed out.....

The last pic was copied from Grey Pneumatics website......

 

[wild cowboy]

I agree - that is most certainly a counterfeit!

contact GP directly, they will not only replace it, they will probably give you an additional tool as a gift for bringing it to their attention.

 

[G_P]

I concur that it does not seem to be genuine at all. That looks like a cheap Chinese knockoff.

 

[gsingh]

X 3. Maybe try to return it to the place you bought it from?

 

[Crow Horse]

I've contacted both Grey Pneumatics as well as the seller (Ebay vendor). It clearly states that it is a Grey Pneumatic 1471C in the product description and this just makes my blood boil.....

I was really impressed with the quality level of the genuine pliers. GP is certainly worthy of consideration in future tool purchases. Looks like top shelf quality. The knock-off doesn't even come close.....

 

[dnschmidt]

If the price seems too right, it probably isn't a deal.

 

[panknuckshovel]

Your new one looks to be the same as this one.

http://yourtireshopsupply.com/product/2226/1471c-coated-wheel-weight-toolwide-grip-gp1471c

 

[Crow Horse]

It's a poor pic but the handle does indeed look the same.....
It'll be interesting to see how both Grey Pneumatics and the seller respond.....

 

[jlterry]

GP could be using a different (cheaper) vendor to supply the pliers.

 

[wild cowboy]

everything bought on ebay is guaranteed, the vendor has to refund you, or else ebay/paypal will - just follow ebay's procedure to the letter. I have done it MANY times!

and you might want to ask GP who their authorized distributors are and buy from them in the future.

 

[Crow Horse]

GP could be using a different (cheaper) vendor to supply the pliers.

It's possible but being that the part # isn't stamped into it leads me to believe otherwise.....

 

[zhome888]

Fake

 

[G_P]

If the Ebay listing said it was a Grey Pneumatic tool then file a claim for "item not as described" if the seller wont refund you. Ebay will then refund you and go after the seller.

 

[nicksnothereman]

If the Ebay listing said it was a Grey Pneumatic tool then file a claim for "item not as described" if the seller wont refund you. Ebay will then refund you and go after the seller.

Yeah...but what if they're real?

Who the heck would knock off this brand? Especially with a specialty tool?

 

[wild cowboy]

Yeah...but what if they're real?

Who the heck would knock off this brand? Especially with a specialty tool?

you would be surprised what China will knock off - I do ECU repair and use a lot of capacitors which cost mere cents, and yet the number of counterfeits on the market far exceeds the genuine capacitors! - and pretty much all capacitors and transistors on ebay are fakes, even from vendors in USA with perfect feedback (the vendors in many cases do not even realize they are selling fakes, nor does the customer, until something critical fails, like your computer or airbag or a rocket, etc.)

 

[Crow Horse]

If the price seems too right, it probably isn't a deal.

Actually, the price of the "bogus" plier was only a couple of dollars cheaper than the best price I found but it included shipping. Paying over $20 for something that would be questionable at $10 infuriates me....

It'll be interesting to see how this plays out. I'm still waiting for responses from Grey and the vendor.....

 

[G_P]

Chinese companies will counterfeit ANYTHING if they can make a buck doing it.

 

[Crow Horse]

Resolved.....

I received a full refund from the seller and an apology ........

Grey Pneumatics customer service was very interested. They attempted to call me, and answered several questions I had via email. They confirmed that the pliers were not made by them. I expect nothing more from them......

And I guess I can keep the bogus pliers.....