Fake Suunto Dive Computers / Watches - replica dive computers warning

[divingbrisbane]

I was recently looking around for a D9 dive computer and i came accross a website calles sales-watches{dot}{net}


That website clearly advertises their computers as replicas.. but at the same time advertising them as actual working dive computers. This is scary stuff!!

Also I found someone on Alibaba here they are advertising "real suunto dive computers" for less than $300 for a D9. I imagine these are also fake but i emailed them and they tried to assure me they were real, made by Suunto in Finland and coming with a 2 year guarantee from Suunto. On the email they sent me they also stated they sell Rolexes for $60... hmm. I emailed the person back and said do you realise that a fake dive computer could quite easily kill someone.. she replied saying they were not fake.

This is really dodgy, so a word of warning to anyone considering buying a dive computer from ebay, online, or from an unknown dealer.

I would be interested to know of anyone who has made such a purchase

Thanks

 

[divingbrisbane]

sorrry their name on alibaba is Suuntonokia

 

[fnfalman]

IF people are dumb enough to fall for it, then...

 

[divingbrisbane]

if people are dumb enough to look for a good deal on ebay?
well many people do that...
and they deserve what... to get bent?

 

[widget]

Interesting indeed, its the first time I ever hear of "fake" dive computers, although in this day and age, who knows what folk will do to make a buck.

Fakes still have a cost involved and this is such a small market, I didnt think it would be financially interesting to set up a production line to replicate these things.? Rolex watches, for sure, its a huge market and there are literally hundreds of imitation Rolex models out there, but dive computers, I really am surprised.!

Where is the company based? I guess Asia, but China especially, is very aware of this problem and has a data base of "known suppliers" (you can usually request it from your local chinese embassy) and you can check these companies against the list, if they are registered then its pretty much above board, but if not I would definately stay away.

Dang, I say it again, I really am surprised.!

 

[divingbrisbane]

Hi
About the sales watches site... they advertise they are selling fakes. The companies listed on alibaba say they are selling original "made in suunto factory in Finland" items....
If you go to alibaba - which is a website advertising products direct from wholesalers distributors and manufacturers, you can search for suunto d9 or oceanic dive computers and find a number of asian suppliers listed. When you contact them by email they offer these for incredibly cheap prices like $300 for d9 and $110 for d4 and say they are originals.

So its either

1) They get Chinese disributor rates from suunto and are doing something dodgy breaking their agreement and selling these outside of china at very low rates
2) They are selling fakes
3) They take your money and run
4) They are some kind of factory seconds (but i doubt suunto would supply these)

The worrying thing is if people are buying fakes and selling them on ebay and other places as legit items

 

[vladimir]

Where is the company based? I guess Asia, but China especially, is very aware of this problem and has a data base of "known suppliers" (you can usually request it from your local chinese embassy) and you can check these companies against the list, if they are registered then its pretty much above board, but if not I would definately stay away.

Dang, I say it again, I really am surprised.!

Sarcasm, right?

Counterfeiting in China--Full Story at 11:00!

In other China news, civil rights were trampled and levees were breached.

 

[knowone]

I seriously have to visit the local Chinese Embassy to expedite my departure from Brisbane.

 

[Dirty-Dog]

"Replicas" are not necessarily cause for alarm. How many of you are using a computer that started out as "an IBM compatible" (read: replica)? Most of todays top computer companies started out building replicas. And many of the earliest were hit with huge legal battles by IBM.

Ideally, ScubaLabs or somesuch will grab some of these replicas and test them.

 

[widget]

Sarcasm, right?

Counterfeiting in China--Full Story at 11:00!

In other China news, civil rights were trampled and levees were breached.

, Ha,Ha, - No, not surprised that there is a "Chinese Fake" - just surprised they would consider it viable to invest in "faking" such a low volume item.

Surely its a lot more profitable to make an imitation Rolex, Tag Heuer etc where they can sell millions, than a very specialised dive computer, where at best they MAY sell a few thousand, and even thats doubtfull, this industry is very small and this kind of news travels fast.