Above: A genuine PING G15 Driver.
From a Facebook post to the PING page...
SKIP:
Be aware of fraudulent PING clubs. If you do buy used, do your homework first. This is the result of just surfing for a few minutes and doing a quick comparison of the serial number in a Google search. Serial numbers do not always prove the product is genuine. If you are shopping for used club, buy from an approved dealer or if not from a dealer, call PING and given them the serial number. They can give you the details of the club. Never buy a club from someone you don't know or trust.
Fraudulent PING G15 Driver
This is a counterfeit G15 driver. The painted designs on the sole are not correct and the alignment aid is not correct either. The alignment aid is the same one used on the G5 and G10 drivers, not the G15. Who ever copied the club did a really poor job of trying to pass-off this club as a genuine PING product. The price they are asking for this is $169.99 with free shipping. You can't buy PING clubs at a discounted price unless PING says that the retailer can sell it for less. This would not be the case with this current production driver, which retails for $299.99. This is a complete fake - don't walk, run away from it as fast as you can and don't support manufacturers and those who sell counterfeit merchandise.
A counterfeit of a PING G15 Driver. Note the markings on the sole are not correct, nor is the alignment aid on the crown of the club. Also, note the serial number in the right-most image... 728672D3.The serial number obtained from the photograph of the above mentioned driver in the Google search noted above pointed to this G10 driver recently sold on ebay in the UK. We don't know whether this one is a genuine PING driver or not either.
The ebay item number is: 270528488753
Details from the posting on ebayUK...
Item location:Havant, Hampshire, United Kingdom
PING G10 Driver.
10.5 deg.
TCF 129D reg flex shaft.
Excellent condition 9/10.
Used only 3 rounds in summer.
Complete with head cover.
As new.
Serial no 728672D3
A PING G10 driver sold on ebay's UK site. The serial number matches that of the fraudulent G15 driver noted and pictured above. One or both of these are fakes.PING's response on Facebook:
Thanks for sharing that...it's a real issue out there. For all of you PING fans, protect yourself from online counterfeit scams. Read the warning information posted on our site at http://www.ping.com/clubs/counterfeits.aspx, and use the dealer locator tool to make sure you are dealing with an authorized PING retailer, http://www.ping.com/dealerlocator/default.aspx.
Skip's advice: Enjoy golf. Buy the real deal. If you don't want to or can't afford new equipment, try buying used equipment from a reputable dealer such as Callaway Golf Preowned. They have wonderful customer service and will not sell counterfeit merchandise, whether it be Callaway or other brands they also have available. Your best bet is to, however, take PING's advice and if you want PING clubs, buy from an approved PING retailer for complete peace of mind. Buying from unknown sources only leads to the age old saying, "caveat emptor"... "Let the buyer beware."
- Skip
