Fake Tamiya

[Problemchild]

Q - are there fakes out there?

I don’t mean repro shells and stickers but full kits?

just ordered a few kits from japan - is there any risk to buying from there?

 

JJ

[rwordenjr]

21 minutes ago, Problemchild said:

Q - are there fakes out there?

I don’t mean repro shells and stickers but full kits?

just ordered a few kits from japan - is there any risk to buying from there?

 

JJ

From what site ? If it’s a non reputable site then there is some risk but not if you got from any known site. 

[qatmix]

 Not really. There are some clones like the bruiser one but no actual fakes.

 

[SimonL]

Why do you think they are fake? Cheap pricing? Lack of packaging?  The biggest market of fakes is in the after market for spare parts, as these are relatively easy to copy and produce. Putting together a complete fake kit however would involve manufacturing every single part - some of which will be easy, others very hard and not worth it for a low volume - so I wouldn’t think it was an interesting market for counterfeiters to get involved in.
 

bear in mind that since Tamiya is a Japanese brand, the end user price for components is significantly cheaper there than in Europe - as an example look at the Japanese price on a recent part you have bought - it’s the number on the bottom right of the label, and typically around 1000-2000 yen for many parts - them compare that to what you paid. So if you are concerned because the price is lower, don’t be.

 

btw I came across a video that talks about how to identify fakes 

 

[Problemchild]

Just ordered a Durga off eBay - just a reseller I assume 

JJ

[Problemchild]

parts I don’t mind 

JJ

[SimonL]

3 hours ago, Problemchild said:

Just ordered a Durga off eBay - just a reseller I assume 

JJ

Biggest problem with buying from Japan will be the import duties and VAT that customs will want when it enters the UK. Depends of course on what value the seller writes on the shipping label, and whether customs catch it. That generally dissuades me  from buying higher priced items outside of the EU. 

[Problemchild]

Yeah - am I’m ok with that (maybe haha)

seems cheaper when spread out 
 

JJ

[speedy_w_beans]

Years ago there were other clones (DF02, F104, TRF416...).  I guess the Bruiser is the most recent one covered here.  Usually the clones don't survive long.

 

[Problemchild]

Clones have their place I guess BUT don’t want to pay tamiya prices for fake - I feel better now

thanks guys and gals 

JJ

[Falcon#5]

As long as it's clear exactly what you're buying.

If you know you're buying a fake Rolex from some trader wearing a trench coat in a back alley in Bali, game on.

But if you bought the same fake Rolex from Watches of Mayfair, different story.

[Problemchild]

Agreed - I miss Lepin building blocks 

JJ