Unfortunately fake Sennheiser headphones are being sold on eBay, so what signs should you be looking for when purchasing? Along with my own findings and information direct from Sennheiser, I have put together this guide to help out those who are thinking of purchasing Sennheiser goods here on eBay.

I am not saying that you should not buy your headphones from eBay, by all means they are genuine sellers out there with genuine headphones, ourselves being one supplier. This guide is designed to make you more savvy in your purchase, and to simply be careful when looking on eBay.

"How can I spot a fake?"

Unfortunately there is no hard and fast rule. The skills of the fakers can often make it hard to visually distinguish a counterfeit from the real thing. But here are some tips:

• If you are tempted to purchase from eBay, try to establish where the product is shipping from. Genuine Sennheiser products are not shipped from China.
• If you are buying a £1000 watch for £20, you know from the outset that it is a fake. However, that rule does not apply when you pay £20 for £30 headphones. Quite understandably, you think you are getting a bargain!
• Remember that if you are buying a Sennheiser product advertised as NEW you can only be sure to get an original product if you purchase it from an authorised dealer. Sennheiser never sells products on auction sites. If in doubt, visit the Sennheiser website for authorised resellers.
• If however you are buying second-hand, you should do everything you can to ensure that you are dealing with a bona fide seller.
• Look for poorly printed labels and material; most fakes have slight differences from the real deal. Compare the suspected fake with the corresponding picture on the Sennheiser website.

(Pictures courtesy of iAudiophile)

Sennheiser advise the following steps are taken to try to reduce the chances of purchasing fake or unfit for purpose equipment:

1. Sellers feedback - high positive feedback gives an indication that the seller may be genuine
2. Seller status - length of trading history may indicate if a company has a genuine background
3. Location - local sellers may be easier to get hold of than overseas sellers
4. Company information - trading details can provide you with the important information should you need to pursue compensation

You would not think anyone would bother to make fake headphones because the originals are relatively cheap to begin with. But as you know, some people will do anything to make a quick buck. You may alo be surprised at the number of fake microphones that are turning up.

"I have purchased a Sennheiser product, and have found out it is fake, what should I do?"

• If it proves to be a fake, then there is not much Sennheiser can do for you. Get in touch with Trading Standards Association.
• If the product you have purchased is counterfeit, you are entitled to contact the person or the retailer who sold it to you and demand a refund.

"Why should I care that I am using fake Sennheisers and not genuine ones?"

• Inferior quality - you are not getting what you thought you had paid for. Sennheiser has always been proud of the quality and workmanship that goes into its products. Do not be fooled into thinking that you will get Sennheiser performance just because the logo is present!
• No warranty - It may not be immediately apparent when you first plug it in, but the fake will undoubtedly be of inferior quality. You can be sure that the life expectancy will be a fraction of the real thing. When the product fails and it is returned to Sennheiser under warranty, they will spot it immediately. They will not be able to service the product, and unfortunately you will be out of pocket.
• Damage to equipment - The technology used in counterfeit products will differ from that used in genuine Sennheiser products. There is therefore a danger that counterfeit products can damage other products that they are plugged into. If your equipment is damaged by the use of counterfeit products, their warranty may well be invalidated.
• Personal safety - In the case of products that require a battery, there is a risk to your personal safety if it does not comply to current standards (overheating and fire)