Received my sliders from the last group buy from schrockworks. I also ordered a set of d-rings for my bumper. Their web page said the d-rings were USA made in fact they were the cheap. Chinese made, Smittybilt ones I could buy elsewhere at a much cheaper price. Called them up and told them about it and was told to send them back but abruptly hung up before he told how to get credit back.
Schrockworks misrepresents product
- Thread starter smokeatrr
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Lolrax
New member
It's all rebranded stuff from Alibaba! People should look up upper control arms on Alibaba and compare them with the images that companies like we pay 800 bucks a pair to post on their websites as an example. Aftermarket 4x4 parts are a complete scam. I can buy 10 sets of X off-road product on Alibaba for the price of one or 50 for the price of one depending on how many I commit to. It's the same damn pictures with a watermark.
I have been doing a lot of homework on this stuff and I am shocked at the scam that is being pulled on us. Before anyone flames me, go on Alibaba and look it up. Your post is one of many to come.
They import the stuff, slap a sticker on it and say it was "fabricated" at their shop and "USA Made", the sticker slap is the fabrication part FYI.
We should do a monster buy of upper control arms, sliders, bull bars, light bars, endlinks, etc. from one of the many manufacturers on Alibaba that supply our "fabricators" and shut this crap down.
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4rcybr
New member
This isn't really unique to this market.
What you're paying for if buying a big brand is their quality control and warranty, along with not having to deal with a manufacturer directly.
Once something has been made and the design is known, anyone can copy it. A lot of those are probably going to work just fine-some aren't. If you're willing to take the risk and deal with imports there's no reason to not look at alternatives.
Vinsil
New member
Lolrax
New member
Yup! Weren't they charging 1200 for those somewhere? They are the same product and even the images in the website are the same.
Bumbo
New member
For that price, I would be willing to actually try them.
That said, I have plenty of experiences in a lot of different places, and generally speaking, if something is too good to be true, it generally is.
I'ts rare, VERY rare, that you actually get more than what you paid for. I am a firm believer of "You get what you pay for".
From a cost of materials standpoint, there has to be a difference... Tooling, tolerances, QC also play into this. Also, anyone who has ever dealt with oversea vendors knows the challenges... you need connections there to get anything done on a real business level.
But at that price, its literally giving them away if they were any good.
That said, I have plenty of experiences in a lot of different places, and generally speaking, if something is too good to be true, it generally is.
I'ts rare, VERY rare, that you actually get more than what you paid for. I am a firm believer of "You get what you pay for".
From a cost of materials standpoint, there has to be a difference... Tooling, tolerances, QC also play into this. Also, anyone who has ever dealt with oversea vendors knows the challenges... you need connections there to get anything done on a real business level.
But at that price, its literally giving them away if they were any good.
Lolrax
New member
Honestly I don't think that is the case here. I have inquired with a lot of these manufacturers and they are big suppliers to existing sellers here in North America. This isn't a matter of knock-offs, these ARE the products and the "amazing warranty service!11" we receive here is a function of how many units they get for the price.
Anyone willing to do as much inquiring as I have done over the last month will realize it very quick.
Vinsil
New member
Yeah...I'd risk the $50 to try them out. I'm in if someone with experience decides to head the group buy. Hell...in for 2-3 sets actually.
Thats not the case for everything. I have been to a few off road fabrication shops such as Metaltech, and I can personally vouch they make every product that is stamped with the Metal Tech/OPOR name.
That being said, lots of this stuff is exactly what you see on that site, thats why I am extreamly picky who I buy from
That being said, lots of this stuff is exactly what you see on that site, thats why I am extreamly picky who I buy from
Bumbo
New member
If ur going to go though the trouble then you might as well go all out...
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/4-Runner-chromoly-tubular-Toyota-Tacoma_1918559107.html
Only problem is I don't see mounting for the 2nd shock, or the shock hoop for the secondary lol. Beggars can be choosers.
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/4-Runner-chromoly-tubular-Toyota-Tacoma_1918559107.html
Only problem is I don't see mounting for the 2nd shock, or the shock hoop for the secondary lol. Beggars can be choosers.
Bumbo
New member
Personally I think a lot of the companies make their own stuff, there is video is ICON fabricating their own arms in house, in the US.
So I would venture to guess what you are seeing is a clone/copy. Its not like this is new, the Chinese will clone anything they can get their hands on. They are literally the masters of reverse engineering.
Doesn't mean that its the same part, and its obvious they don't give two shits about American intellectual property rights or product development costs.
Bumbo
New member
US Boarder and Customs gives a shit, the problem is too much keep coming in, they cant catch it all.
Watch a few good documentaries on counterfeiting culture in America.
Even the US government gets screwed sometimes... the stories are all over the place. Building million dollar jets and they get batches of counterfeit parts like o-rings that fail in service.
Some of the worse stories I have heard of are pharmaceuticals where peoples health and lives are at risk.
I know these are just arms, but the impact is a lot deeper than what you see on the surface.
I remember a company importing digital multimeters that resembled fluke meters at one point too. If you didn't know that yellow color is a trademark of theirs. You ever notice how you dont see much else anything yellow that isn't a fluke? Some get in, some dont... Just like Pokemon, you gotta catch em all, but you can't.
It really is wild.
Watch a few good documentaries on counterfeiting culture in America.
Even the US government gets screwed sometimes... the stories are all over the place. Building million dollar jets and they get batches of counterfeit parts like o-rings that fail in service.
Some of the worse stories I have heard of are pharmaceuticals where peoples health and lives are at risk.
I know these are just arms, but the impact is a lot deeper than what you see on the surface.
I remember a company importing digital multimeters that resembled fluke meters at one point too. If you didn't know that yellow color is a trademark of theirs. You ever notice how you dont see much else anything yellow that isn't a fluke? Some get in, some dont... Just like Pokemon, you gotta catch em all, but you can't.
It really is wild.
meRockboost
New member
Usually the products pictured on alibaba are stolen images from the real manufacturer. What you get is different than what is pictured.
Someone should buy a set of the $30 uca's and post some pics up.
Otherwise $30 will buy me some good IPA and wings.
Someone should buy a set of the $30 uca's and post some pics up.
Otherwise $30 will buy me some good IPA and wings.
Alibaba is the coolest.
Look what I found:
2011 Toyota 4Runner armored B6 bullet proof armoured bulletproof -
pecifications: 40mm bulletproof glass, B6 Assult rifle protection all doors, roof.
https://www.alibaba.com/product-det...t_120350451.html?spm=a2700.7724838.0.0.ydQhxk
I can't afford it but, that is cool.
They also have a Land Cruiser.
Look what I found:
2011 Toyota 4Runner armored B6 bullet proof armoured bulletproof -
pecifications: 40mm bulletproof glass, B6 Assult rifle protection all doors, roof.
https://www.alibaba.com/product-det...t_120350451.html?spm=a2700.7724838.0.0.ydQhxk
I can't afford it but, that is cool.
They also have a Land Cruiser.
Thats so funny! I was actually looking at Hardshell RTTs on Alibaba a couple days ago, my first time on that site, and I saw this post today! https://www.alibaba.com/trade/search?fsb=y&IndexArea=product_en&SearchText=hardshell+roof+top+tent
Sean K.
New member
Keep in mind, a lot of the stuff you're seeing on foreign websites is COUNTERFEIT. The Chinese are masters of copying things....just as the Japanese were in the 80's/90s. Difference is: their government actively protects (if not engages in directly) the firms engaged in the IP theft. Anyone familiar with airsoft knockoffs of high dollar US made gun parts?.....Magpul forgeries as well as Troy sights, etc?
Ray Dunakin
Senior Member
I try to avoid places where I would need a bulletproof vehicle -- Yemen, Chicago, etc.
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