I defend fakeheadphones.com for the second time.

[Matt]

I've had this email from a headphone manufacturer, I won't tell you who, but to some it might be obvious. But I defend fakeheadphones.com 100%

part 1 of 3

Dear XXXXX,
 
I understand your concern with the counterfeit market getting better in their ... circumvention of the original product, that's why I don't share all of my findings on fakeheadphones.com. I let my admin staff know all the information at my discretion. However you must understand that I receive up to 10 private email per day, many with the same complaint, that there's no information for people to 'CHECK' and compare their purchase. This doesn't seem an easy to do with the XXXXX website.
 
For me as a XXXXX Customer (and I've bought a pair of XXXXX and XXXXX today) how would I find out if they were counterfeit, taking into consideration that my XXXXX, bought directly from XXXXX (an authorized seller) for XXXXX, was also counterfeit?
 
XXXXX has been very unhelpful at best, and I have had many communications with XXXXX all over the world, and yet XXXXX refuse to reply to any of my emails or phone calls.
 
As someone who works hard for their money, (I work at XXXXX XXXXX part time, I'm also at university) you must understand how unhelpful this is, and to be honest I resent the lack of assistance, as I'm spending my own time and money to help companies like yourself.
 
I have to add that I do have assistance from other manufactures by way of receiving XXXXX products in order to help me with my investigations. Again, as most of my work concentrates on XXXXX, such an offer from you would be advantageous!
 
Again, I understand your concern, however I defend fakeheadphones.com by stating that if counterfeit producers want to copy your products perfectly, all they need do is to invest a few dollars in a genuine pair!
 
I have personally been let down by XXXXX (which has been well documented) who's response was less than satisfactory. Please remember XXXXX, that this is my personal money funding the site and reviews in order to keep people away from the counterfeit market.
 
I love my music and I have a large collection of headphones, most being XXXXX. At least I can say that I'm doing something to stem the tide of counterfeits on the market. Arguing with ebay and amazon sellers, my 'Name and Shame' list, it my not be much, but thanks to the many people who contribute to the site, at least I can hold my head up and say: I'm trying what are you doing about it? (Not you personally)

I also assist people in how to claim, as many give into the demands of unscrupulous sellers who will either withhold a refund or demand positive feedback and in so doing they perpetuate their dishonest practices. I do this by giving examples of my own encounters and again answering questions directly.
 
My forum on it's own has over XXXXX members, receives over XXXXX unique visitors per month, and the blog receives the same amount of traffic. O.K. it's not much, but fakeheadphones.com has an influence.
 
headphonesales.co.uk
 
The reason I have written so much about sites like headphonesales.co.uk is so that as and when people type 'headphonesales.co.uk' into google, they'll see the search results for fakeheadphones.com below or above it, with some uncomplimentary comment about the site, to warn people off them.
 
I always say; if something smells suspicious, I'd rather scream my head off and be wrong, than sit on my hands knowing there are fakes and doing nothing, and from what I'm seeing, most people and manufacturers are sitting on their hands!
 
At this stage, I would like to post your email under the 'Letters from Sennheiser' thread on the forum if I may? I will only post the following comment.
 
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Forgive the ... tone of this email, however after nearly two years and precious little help from XXXXX, and all the money I've spent trying to help you guys, I do get a tad upset. However as a consumer and a fan of XXXXX headphones, I fiercely defend my efforts.

Kind regards

Matt Scarlett

Let me know what you think.

[Matt]

part 2 of 3

Hello again XXXXX,

Forgive me but I had to dash out.

However I did want to add, that as a consumer, don't you think it's rude that XXXXX don't even answer my emails when I have a complaint? Again one of my forum members had a paypal dispute for which XXXXX gave no assistance.

The list of authorized dealers and a quick word on the foibles of ebay doesn't help me when I buy a pair of fake XXXXX headphones direct from XXXXX, and so your information is incorrect. Had I trusted the 'Authorized Dealer' list, and with the poor excuse XXXXX gave, I can only come to the conclusion that XXXXX XXXXX are purposely producing counterfeit products and are sending them out to various dealers for distribution.

Had I not know about the problem of counterfeit XXXXX on the market in the first place (and I’ve stated many times that this was the case) I would have been non the wiser. However having quite a few fake and genuine XXXXX in my collection, I was able to identify easily that the XXXXX XXXXX were indeed fake. As a XXXXX customer, how would I have known with the information on the site? I await your answer with baited breath.

The other point to my comparisons is, and I’m not 100% with your statement that   "giving the opportunity to fix those problems." You and I both know that no two counterfeits are the same. Some producers know that you are on their case and so they produce products that are near the same as the genuine products to fool people into buying them. Some producers are happy with 'Getting by'.

I've recently been given the opportunity to test some XXXXX on behalf of two large sellers; both of them believe them to be genuine. However one seller told me (paraphrasing) that he had levels to choose from, low range, high range and original. This seller is now sending back the batch. 

I write the reviews to emphasize the attributes of the original item and again I do understand your concern with this, however the producers can easily get hold of a genuine pair themselves.

I have to stress again, that I resent not getting an ouch (should read ounce) of support even when I buy a genuine pair of headphones from your authorized list, and it's not as though XXXXX are a tiny unknown website now is it!

Again, fakeheadphones.com is ready to help you as much as I can. That’s why I'm up at 2:00 - 3:00 am answering concerns from your customers! I would like to publish that information, if I could have your permission to do so, then I would be very happy.

Kind regards once again.

Matt Scarlett.

Lover of music, lover of my XXXXX XXXXX which I've owned since XXXXX and would never consider getting rid of, and fan of the sub XXXXX pair of XXXXX that I've owned in the last three years.

have you guessed who it is?

[Matt]

Now I've removed all references to this company, can you guess who it is

Just a note to why I've responded the way I have. First of all I started fakeheadphones.com to collate as much info as I could find into one place. Things quickly grew and the natural progression for me was to write my own comparisons, as there were question marks over some reviews on ebay. I also started to write my own comparison reviews, because of the lack of information beyond "don't buy from ebay" rhetoric and "stick to the authorized dealers." comments. 

I am glad for the information sent to me today, however I resent:

1) No returns to my emails or phone calls...

2) ... even when I've bought a pair one of their biggest 'Authorized' online retailers

I spend quite a lot of time (as do you readers) publishing information to help those who have bought in good faith only to find out that they've been ripped off. To be ignored by the manufacturer whom I'm trying to help, seems to be rude at best.

I also resent it in the face of the fact that I get help and thanks from other manufacturers, yet ignored by a certain division of this manufacturer, even when i have a genuine complaint, or should I say; particularly when I have a complaint

The thing is that you post the information you want, and it's obvious that there is a lack of information on manufacturers websites. It was obvious to me that this is what people 'first' need to actually identify that they have a problem. However everyone that I've asked has posed the same question; how am I (you) meant to tell the difference? That's where you come in, and you have come in, and I'm grateful for your contribution, which at times, has been better and more informative than mine. But there again I’m just a poor lowly art student

http://www.scarlettsart.wordpress.com
http://mscarlett.deviantart.com/

I thank you all, and I encourage you to keep the questions coming, keep the reviews coming, keep the pictures coming and let's do our part to stem the tide of people getting ripped off left, right and center.
 




Matt Scarlett

Editor

[Matt]

O.K. I went in hard and got a hard response and one that I'm not 100%  .. happy with as a paying customer. I'm going to leave out the quotes from this person's email. But here goes.


part 3 of 3

Hello again XXXXX,

[ quote]

[ unquote]


I'm afraid you've misunderstood. I have bought a pair of fakes directly from XXXXX. you and I can see on fakeheadphones that the evidence is well documented.

XXXXX claim that they deal directly with XXXXX (XXXXX XXXXX telling me that XXXXX get their supply directly from XXXXX XXXXX). The only conclusion one could come to with both explanation from XXXXX and XXXXX would suggest as I have suggested, which you and I know is total bilge. If you would like to enlighten me (as XXXXX XXXXX  at XXXXX never returns my emails or phone calls) then I would be grateful, but when I spend XXXXX of my own money and I get fake from product from one of your biggest online dealers, please don not expect me to sit back, and please don't treat me like a fool! I'm a paying customer XXXXX!

[ quote]

[ unquote]

my response to a blogger to claim that companies give "lip service" when dealing with this problem.

http://opinionroad.com/2010/04/18/sennheiser-earphones-fakes-or-not/

The problem is that if someone was stealing money out of my pocket, I would not pay him or her “lip service” and your statement suggesting that they are, is pretty niece. It’s to do with people like me and you, cutting corners; buying from sites we shouldn’t be buying from, and are not advised to buy from, in order to save a quick buck. We all do it; we’re all to blame.

It’s not a matter of the Manufacturer’s not doing anything, it a matter of we keep on buying this stuff, even when we know that the item is fake. And our friendly global auction site does precious little to stem the problem, that’s why Tiffanys took ebay to court twice. That wasn’t “Lip service”.

Shure seized a huge shipment in early … 2009, with… I think it was around $1,000,000 (street value) shipment. Again this isn’t “lip service”. I have contacts with various manufacturers who have dedicated departments now to deal with the problem of fake headphones.



Again may i don't have an insight, however do not assume that i'm not affected either or the many XXXXX customers I speak to on XXXXX behalf, because you guys (XXXXX) don't help them, and I don't get paid from that service! But that's the whole point, other manufacturers actually assist me, XXXXX is the only company that doesn't. I'm here to say that I have even a smidgen of the same impact, but I'm representing many companies.

[ quote]

[ unquote]


Again quote taken from my response to the blogger

http://opinionroad.com/2010/04/18/sennheiser-earphones-fakes-or-not/

Justin, don’t give up. I may not reach the whole headphone world in the way head-fi.org does, but I’m trying to do my best to help people who have wasted their hard earned cash on a piece of nothing, garbage!

It’s people like you, who will make the difference in someone’s life. Keep it up

Matt Scarlett
Editor for fakeheadphones.com

I'm not stupid enough to think I'll ever do any major damage to the counterfeit market, But I'm trying. I know and you know as soon as one seller ends an ebay account three start up. I don't have a legal team and I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle, however I'm trying, how many other of your customers are trying? how many of them spend $100's every month to help people deal with the problem of counterfeits they've already bought? I bet very few at the most.

[ quote]

[ unquote]

I do understand where your coming from. On the evidence I got from the person who wanted me to check out the XXXXX. Three different choices XXXXX, low grade, high grade and original were the three options given. That suggests to me that although they are getting wise, they're also still in the 'Getting by" state of mind. as long as it looks convincing.

There were many deficiencies, but I'm not here to encourage counterfeits! However i still come across very low grade counterfeits. I don't know what you think, but I've not had two that are the same or even similar.

[ quote]

[ unquote]


I'm really struggling with this, because apart from my two cases from XXXXX, I've also had a report of fakes from XXXXX and HMV the high-street music chain. I can't think that the headphones bought were a one off, more likely a part of a batch.

What went wrong with XXXXX and XXXXX lack of interest i.e. not responding to my emails? I know what you're saying but what you're saying and what's happening doesn't tally up XXXXX ... that's all I'm saying. And do you really think that my fake XXXXX was a one off, or part of the a batch? It's frightening to think about really!




[ quote]


[ unquote]

Of course of course, but look at it this way, I'm out of pocket as a XXXXX customer. I get no response from XXXXX. It sounds like the Logitech syndrome now they've taken over Ultimate Ears. You look on head-fi.org and now UE and Logitech's name is mud, and UE's are now selling for peanuts hence I've had to address the issue. I don't want XXXXX to fall into the same trap.

Are these Ultimate Ears fake?



[ quote]

[ unquote]

two dealers approach me,  this ebay seller, and a reputable website. Now I don't know neither did my two contacts know if the 'dealer' was genuine, or as we found out, a con artist. I'm not to know if my contacts were approached with genuine XXXXX gear or fakes, neither did they that's why they contacted me.

The thing was, I started my own reviews because I began to see faults in some reviews written on ebay from the seller themselves, trying to fool the public. I thought that was the best way to combat the problem of such review... and listings of course, was to create my own. who better to trust than myself, and someone who had no interest in selling. and I've been proven right time and time again.

I guess that was my target more than anything else, the fake review and fake listing with doggy images problem. But again as a customer I had to find a way of knowing if such sellers were selling fake or real XXXXX according to the price. some of the prices are the same as from your dealers. For me, fakheadphones.com was a ... deterrent against that.

But the fact still remains: i've bought a pair of XXXXX headphones, i think they might be fake, how do i find out? even I didn't realize that they were such things as fakeheadphones at the beginning when i started headphonedeals.org. I thought the counterfeit market were there for fake Rolex watches and Tiffanys jewelry.

XXXXX do a good job of prevention, and of course you have a .. response team, which IMO have been of no use (XXXXX XXXXX). So what do I do?


Any way:

1) So in an Ideal world, what would you have me do? I await your advice!

2) more importantly, what would you not have me do?

3) And, how can I best assist XXXXX, remembering I have interest from other manufacturers who seem to take a different approach and view to the benefits of fakeheadphones.com?

[ quote]

[ unquote]

Then who can i speak to if i've got a problem since XXXXX XXXXX never responds to me? As I've said, out of all the XXXXX contacts I have, She's the only person who never responds. It's just that in times of need, no response is no good to me as a customer.

If you want to offer me XXXXX job, I'd love to! (he smiles) having worked in recruitment in London hiring 24 year old accounts on £150,000 per year, I understand customer service! It's probably were I get my aggression from XXXXX, and for that I sincerely apologize.

I like to say that I'm man enough to apologize, and I never mean to hurt or offend ourself personally, neither do i wish to damage XXXXX, . . however when my money is involved I do defend it as best i can. You don't have to respect me, but please respect my money! over the years i've spent many thousands of pounds on XXXXX gear, I buy it for other people, as well recommending your headphones.


I will post those two links you sent me. .

Please, please answer these questions. I'm not here to hinder, I would like to think that I am helping even thought i know the impact of what I'm doing is ... tiny.

1) So in an Ideal world, what would you have me do?

2) what would you not have me do?

3) And, how can I best assist XXXXX (remembering I have interest from other manufacturers who seem to take a different approach and view to the benefits of fakeheadphones.com?

Kind regards

Matt Scarlett

P.S. you must have a contact at XXXXX XXXXX I can go to for assistance?

[Matt]

To be honest I still feel like a number, and everyone seems to be avoiding responsibility here! In this case the manufacturer, the 'Authorized dealer', the customer service, no one wants the help or put their hands up and it stinks! I would have expected better

My point is that I doubt if end user's order their products on an individual basis. Usually they order bundles of say 10 or 20 etc.... you get the picture. I doubt that the fakes I bought were a one off either, which means that there are other people walking around with counterfeit headphones after having bought them from an authorized dealer! Not good

[jaywalkra]

Sure, guessing the company is no big deal. It's merely "some German company making acoustical stuff for years". 

So now 'Authorized Dealers' are supplying customers with fake headphones. Soon, people may be forced to get their gear from their region's 'Authorized Importer/Distributor' just to be 100% that the headphones they get are genuine.

Matt, did you try spamming **** Germany, **** USA, and **** Asia (Singapore) as well?

[Matt]

Sure, guessing the company is no big deal. It's merely "some German company making acoustical stuff for years". 

So now 'Authorized Dealers' are supplying customers with fake headphones. Soon, people may be forced to get their gear from their region's 'Authorized Importer/Distributor' just to be 100% that the headphones they get are genuine.

Matt, did you try spamming **** Germany, **** USA, and **** Asia (Singapore) as well?

Its not a matter of spamming, but it's nice to have a bit of recognition, which I do get from other ... branches all around the world. I did get one email from the UK branch, but nothing more. My frustration came when I got my fake from one of the biggest retail site, who are an 'Authorized dealer' for many manufacturer's, and I got no reply.

Now regardless of this guys issue with fakeheadphones I'm a paying customer first and foremost jaywalkra, as are you. But first I get ignored, then I get sent an email asking if I could post a link to the information from their site, then I get slagged off for my efforts That's nice isn't it.

I truly understand their concern, that's why I always keep something back and let certain people know all of the info, so when someone comes with a concern, we as a group can answer even with PM's. However I refuse to believe that some guy in China is trawling this site day and night, when he can pay out a few dollars for the real thing, take it apart, look at the drivers, look at the label, sealing of the plastic packaging etc, etc. I just can't see, how they would be able to do that, just buy looking at a few pictures on this site.

Heck if I were going to counterfeit a product, I'd pay out and buy the real thing. Audio companies do that anyway. they all buy each other’s gear, take it apart and look at it for themselves. I new a guy many years ago that worked for a high-end british Audio manufacturer, that actually did that. He bought CD players, amp and speakers and he used to rip them apart in the name of researching the competition.

But I take great exception to this person as a paying customer! The complaint was that it could and actually has cost jobs. I rebuff that by saying the global recession and the type of poor customer support that I’ve experience ... "customer support" not just support for fakehadphones.com, probably goes a fair way to that, not some insignificant site like this! That's not to say your comments and contributions are insignificant 

As far as the other... branches are concerned, I have been shown great courtesy and support, as have many other manufacturers.

I've not only received support from other manufacturers, but from other major sites, that deal with headphones. But I think it's ignorant, to be ignored, then asked to do something then criticized. When you disrespect other people's money, that's when things go wrong. I'm not here for the thousands of cheapskates that want to con a loved one with a fake gift, I'm here for serious people like you, and I hope I can say, that I respect your hard earned money, unlike some individuals!

[kool]

sounds like Senns... 

[Matt]

sounds like Senns... 

is it that obvious?

[jaywalkra]

sounds like Senns... 

is it that obvious?

Too obvious 

And I particularly like different companies researching each others' products, it makes the competition even tougher and "enforces" the various companies to do better. I'm sure it's like Grado having one of their engineers taking components off Senn's HD800 and doing R&D on its parts to contribute to their own efforts to create a headphone to overtake the HD800's "Ultimate Headphone Throne" possibly in the future.


I like a mixture of both Senn and Grado. I'm not a big fan of some of their stuff, I didn't get on with SR325i headphones, but I still think the iGrado's are the best in their class.

[twinkletoes]

i definitely agree with you i dont really feel that the sennheiser HD800 is really worth that 2000++SGD compared to the iGrados