Fake AT700 with engraved serial???

[roquejo]

My partner a while ago is using a AT700 with engraved serial at the shaft. I know its a fake because the cap has no serial, only a sticker. Besides, the grip is just plain rubber just like other racquet brands. And when I swing it, if feels different than my real AT800OF ...as if something is missing..

One thing that scares me, how in the world did they manage to get the engraving technology that identifies real Yonex than the rest?? What if they do the same for the cap and grip? This can fool novice players who might buy fake Yonex with real prices. This scares me...:(

[chickenpoodle]

engraving is a real simple matter if the company decides to take the time to do so.

its very easy to do, only that it takes a lot of time.

the more the community figures out ways to differentiate fakes from authentics, the more measures the fake companies have to go through to produce the fake to acceptable levels.

i guess its the latest step they have to take now to "fool" people into purchasing their product.

[kwun]

i don't exactly know the technology involved. however, what i can guess is that the process of making the racket itself is much more complicated than edging a few letters onto the racket shaft and cone. whether the fake manufacturers do it is just a matter of time and not technology.

[newbi]

can u post some pix?

[bluejeff]

Well, engraving can be done by various machines. Yonex does it with laser, so I am not sure what machine fakes are using :rolleyes:

So far I have seen lots of fakes with engraving serials on, and all of them are done by cheap drilling machine which caused the serials not so smooth and letters are funny.;)

[forrestyung]

In China, the cost of lazer engraving for a number is less than US$0.03, but this cost does not cover the wastage in engraving. If in sequence numbers, the cost will be US$0.01-0.02up. It is not significant when compare the selling price of fake racket.

The lazer engraving machine in my previous factory is around US$22,000, it is not a very great investment when compare with other machines.

Since lazer engraving on shaft can bring more sales volume, so it is easily understand why the new fake will have it.

[bluejeff]

I saw on VCD before. There was a "drilling machine" to make the engravements of the rackets (not sure which brand, but it's some China's companies).

It basically just does high speed drills and the person need to control the angle to make good engraves out of it. This type of machine is probably not so expensive though.

[LazyBuddy]

Soon, we can't just reply on "serial #", but need to bring the database (the collection of excel sheets) with us when make purchase. :(

[forrestyung]

I saw on VCD before. There was a "drilling machine" to make the engravements of the rackets (not sure which brand, but it's some China's companies).

It basically just does high speed drills and the person need to control the angle to make good engraves out of it. This type of machine is probably not so expensive though.

Just for information, the serial numbers on old Yonex rackets are by stamping. So you can see the Grip Size number, destination code and serial numbers may not be in a straight line. You can also find that some numbers will be deeper and some numbers will be upper via rackets.