Ordered a new chain what I got was fake
#51
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I also got the same hard plastic casing for the packaging on a recent KMC 10 speed chain purchased at the beginning of 2019. So I assume it's genuine, since the guy from KMC posted above that this is how their packaging it now. However, last year in 2018, I bought 2 KMC chains from the same big bike retailer, and they sent me those 2 chains in plastic bags. No hard casing or box. I didn't think about whether or not it was genuine, but the chain still worked as intended. The lubricant in those 2 chains from 2018 that came in plastic bags was extremely sticky though. The chain from 2019 that came in the hard plastic casing had very light and runny lubricant.
#52
Senior Member
Yes, thank you for answering. I'm not sure at this point whether what I got was real or not since I sent it back immediately, my son lives down the street from UPS and happened to be there when I opened the package. I'm not a graphics designer, but I don't think the new packaging does you any favors. It left the product feeling too generic and didn't distinguish between the various X8 varieties. Just looking at the pics in the earlier post makes it obvious, the older cardboard box has X8.93 on it and some features of the chain, speeds that it works with, etc... The plastic box just says X8 with a generic "superior shifting performance". Nothing about the chain. Now since a lot of this is sold online maybe it doesn't matter as much, but it wouldn't jump off a shelf.
#53
Senior Member
Thread Starter
As I told the KMC guy through this thread, they didn't do themselves any favors with the packaging. If you ask me they completely cheapened the product with the packaging and you don't know what you're getting. I also don't believe the recycling angle, how is plastic better than cardboard? Even if that plastic is recyclable it won't get recycled if it goes into the bike shops garbage and becomes another piece of plastic in the landfill.
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A couple of years ago I ordered a Shimano Ultegra RB chain through Amazon. The chain came in the Shimano box and superficially looked brand new. But when it came to put it on the bike it was discovered to be worn out. Upon closer inspection, it was discovered it was three different used chains put together. I reported it to the third body vendor Amazon used and they offered a lengthy believable explanation with an apology and sent me a brand new chain.
#55
Licensed Bike Geek
As I told the KMC guy through this thread, they didn't do themselves any favors with the packaging. If you ask me they completely cheapened the product with the packaging and you don't know what you're getting. I also don't believe the recycling angle, how is plastic better than cardboard? Even if that plastic is recyclable it won't get recycled if it goes into the bike shops garbage and becomes another piece of plastic in the landfill.
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#56
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KMC here to answer a few questions from the above conversation:
- Not sure about the chain that the OP bought as there are many accounts selling fake chains of all speeds (regardless of price). We are trying to clamp down on this but the gray market is difficult to eliminate and a very hard animal to tame.
- we produce all of our own chains. We don't outsource chain production so there aren't any rogue production lines out there or "extra" production stock being sold.
- X8 new packaging is the plastic box. There is still some old packaging in the market but all should be changed over soon. If you buy any chains in sketchy looking packaging or in bags or plain white boxes or whatever else is out there, this could be fake or not official product.
- X8 is 7.3mm and corresponding connecting links are 7.3mm. These come in several color options and have the code CL573 or CL573R (R = reusable).
- Not sure about the chain that the OP bought as there are many accounts selling fake chains of all speeds (regardless of price). We are trying to clamp down on this but the gray market is difficult to eliminate and a very hard animal to tame.
- we produce all of our own chains. We don't outsource chain production so there aren't any rogue production lines out there or "extra" production stock being sold.
- X8 new packaging is the plastic box. There is still some old packaging in the market but all should be changed over soon. If you buy any chains in sketchy looking packaging or in bags or plain white boxes or whatever else is out there, this could be fake or not official product.
- X8 is 7.3mm and corresponding connecting links are 7.3mm. These come in several color options and have the code CL573 or CL573R (R = reusable).
#57
almost like new
Many sellers selling fake chains will use this and other platforms. If you have any questions concerning product authenticity, please contact our offices in the US (kmcchain.us), Europe (kmcchain.eu) or we can point you in the right direction at kmcchain.com
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#58
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Very simple. Who was the seller on AMAZON. Was it from KMC? chances are then it wasn't a fake. A lot of companies send their products to amazon to stock and package for them.
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One problem with Amazon is the mixed (commingled) inventory system. For some products, seller can mix their inventory with other sellers. I don't remember, but I think there is a discount for sellers to do this since the inventory management is easier to handle. But it means fake items or defective items can be sold in the place of your own items.
#60
Junior Member
I too believe it was not fake for this exact reason. Most counterfeits are on high end items, not discount items. The profit margin on a discount item is already low, so it makes little sense to counterfeit it. It was most likely just a packaging change on KMC, as others have mentioned.
#61
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I bought a X9 chain earlier this month, in the newer packaging (plastic box), and it looks chrome-y to me. 🤔 I still need to mount it, almost certainly tomorrow, so I'll grab a pic or two.
#62
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One problem with Amazon is the mixed (commingled) inventory system. For some products, seller can mix their inventory with other sellers. I don't remember, but I think there is a discount for sellers to do this since the inventory management is easier to handle. But it means fake items or defective items can be sold in the place of your own items.
#63
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#65
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I had my doubts about the one I received when I started this thread and if you ask me, the chain in the picture above looks the same as mine did and didn't look to be a quality product. The chain I received the second time looked fine, but it came in the older box.
#66
almost like new
Apologies for this. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions/concerns regarding KMC products you receive.
#67
Senior Member
Knock off crap is a HUGE racket, and it doesn't matter how cheap or expensive it is. They will fake ANYTHING to make a buck!! Even guitar strings which are $5-$15 a set are faked!!
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Last edited by Bikedued; 12-16-19 at 07:11 PM.
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Are you in the states? Could you take a photo of the back of the box and send to info@kmcchain.us ?
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When I posted that pic, I honestly thought I had a "good" chain, but not so sure now. I get some funny skipping, especially on the 22t chainring. But I've upgraded the brifters, cassette and chainrings too, recently, so hesitate to blame the chain just yet. 🤔
It feels like maybe the chain is too long, for my setup, but I'm not that experienced to say that for sure. Been riding the 32t ring for now, which is good, but eventually, I need to sort this out better. 🙂 It's just a weird time of year, obviously. 😉
#69
almost like new
I'm in Arizona now, yes, but I threw away that box, right after I mounted that chain. Sorry about that, and the slow reply. 🙂
When I posted that pic, I honestly thought I had a "good" chain, but not so sure now. I get some funny skipping, especially on the 22t chainring. But I've upgraded the brifters, cassette and chainrings too, recently, so hesitate to blame the chain just yet. 🤔
It feels like maybe the chain is too long, for my setup, but I'm not that experienced to say that for sure. Been riding the 32t ring for now, which is good, but eventually, I need to sort this out better. 🙂 It's just a weird time of year, obviously. 😉
When I posted that pic, I honestly thought I had a "good" chain, but not so sure now. I get some funny skipping, especially on the 22t chainring. But I've upgraded the brifters, cassette and chainrings too, recently, so hesitate to blame the chain just yet. 🤔
It feels like maybe the chain is too long, for my setup, but I'm not that experienced to say that for sure. Been riding the 32t ring for now, which is good, but eventually, I need to sort this out better. 🙂 It's just a weird time of year, obviously. 😉
#70
Junior Member
Here is another example on Amazon. I don't know what to think. This seller is showing both X10 ($30.00) and X10.93 (46.99). The X10.93 in old packaging. So they actually the same or counterfeit? Label on the back of the X10 package says made in Taiwan. In the Technical Details section they show the manufacture to be Cycle Force Group for the X10 and KMC for the X10.93.
Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...N6VZEJSFU&th=1
Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...N6VZEJSFU&th=1
#71
almost like new
KMC here. These both look legit. There are still some older packaging and models (X10.93) floating around. But please be cautious of older packaging (including the long plastic boxes) as these are easier to copy.
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