BUYERS OF GOLF EQUIPMENT ON E BAY NEED TO BE CAUTIOUS AND AVOID PURCHASING A WORTHLESS FAKE ITEM.  THE CRIMINALS WHO SELL THESE FAKES ARE NOT ALWAYS EASY TO SPOT - FOLLOWING HINTS MAY HELP BUYERS AVOID COSTLY MISTAKES -

1. AVOID SELLERS WITH WITH A SHORT E BAY HISTORY SELLING NEW TOP BRANDS AT PRICES TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE.
2. CHECK RECENT FEEDBACK TO SEE WHAT ITEMS HAVE BEEN SOLD RECENTLY - IF THERE ARE SEVERAL OF THE SAME OR SIMILAR TOP BRANDED ITEMS BE SUSPICIOUS - LOOK FOR A LONG TRADING HISTORY AND CONSISTENT POSITIVE FEEDBACK - LOOK FOR A RETURNS POLICY.
3. LOOK AT THE SELLERS OTHER ITEMS - IF THEY ARE SELLING PING CALLAWAY CLUBS AND GUCCI WATCHES ETC - AVOID
4. BE WARY OF THE INNOCENT PURCHASER OF A FAKE ITEM LOOKING TO PASS ON HIS PROBLEM - CHECK HIS FEEDBACK AS A BUYER TO SEE IF HE PURCHASED THE ITEM RECENTLY AND WHO FROM.
5. AVOID ITEMS WHEN NO ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHS ARE DISPLAYED  - SOME COUNTERFEIT SELLERS COPY PHOTOS FROM MANUFACTURER'S WEBSITES OR FROM A MAJOR DISTRIBUTORS WEBSITE SUCH AS EDWIN WATTS (THE MAJOR USA SELLER OF GOLF EQUIPMENT)
6. ASK SELLERS PROBING QUESTIONS - FAKERS FREQUENTLY (BUT NOT ALWAYS) DON'T REPLY
7. IF A SELLER SAYS HE IS SELLING AN UNWANTED  PRIZE, SELLING BECAUSE HE HAS AN INJURY ETC - JUST LOOK AT RECENT PURCHASES/ SALES WHICH MIGHT HELP TO CHECK AUTHENTICTY. AT THE TIME OF WRITING THIS GUIDE ONE GENUINE LOOKING LISTING FOR A G10 FAIRWAY WOOD SAYS IT WAS AN UNWANTED PRIZE FROM A PRO/AM. LOOKING AT HIS FEEDBACK HE SOLD AN IDENTICAL CLUB ONE WEEK EARLIER - ALSO AN UNWANTED PRO/AM PRIZE!
8. BE WARY OF SELLERS WHO CONCEAL THE ITEMS THEY HAVE PREVIOUSLY SOLD BY MARKING THEM PRIVATE - A CURRENT SELLER OF OBVIOUSLY FAKES CALLAWAY X FORGED IRONS IS DISGUISING THE PREVIOUS 15 ITEMS HE HAS SOLD IN THE FEW WEEKS HE HAS BEEN REGISTERED USING THIS TECHNIQUE. SURPRISINGLY THERE ARE 12 BIDS ON THE SET THE HIGHEST BEING £300+! HOW GULLIBLE CAN SOME PEOPLE BE?
9. FINALLY IF IN DOUBT DON'T BID AND IF YOU DO PURCHASE A FAKE - REPORT THE SELLER TO YOUR LOCAL TRADING STANDARDS - THEY DO ACT