Be careful buying "New" mics and other goodies out there.
Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 3:54 pm
There once was a time where you could fairly confidently purchase mics and other audio and MI gear at smaller stores, pawn or second hand shops. Great deals were easy to spot, and I have many pieces, as I'm sure many have, that were bought that way. Unfortunately, we have entered an era where cheap overseas manufacturing, combined with an eager marketplace, has created an age where counterfeit, and even fictitious pieces are showing up even in small markets like Saint John.
I have seen people buying "new" already inexpensive brand name mics at non dealer stores for outrageously low prices, wondering why they perform so poorly compared to popular opinion of said models... Later finding out that they have purchased terrible counterfeit versions of these microphones. If you are seeing a store with "New In Box" Shure SM58 for $40.00, no matter how legit it may look to the layperson... it's probably a rip off. I've personally seen stuff like this in the Saint John area, and I can't believe the lengths they go to make these things look legit, complete with sticker and warranty card.
Just to show how ridiculous it is now, these crooks are making completely fictional models up to try and dupe people looking for a deal. The latest one I became aware of is this:
This microphone does not even exist as a Shure product, but they make it look so authentic, people fall for it.
Be careful buying anything from non official dealers of brands. It's getting crazier out there every day.
I have seen people buying "new" already inexpensive brand name mics at non dealer stores for outrageously low prices, wondering why they perform so poorly compared to popular opinion of said models... Later finding out that they have purchased terrible counterfeit versions of these microphones. If you are seeing a store with "New In Box" Shure SM58 for $40.00, no matter how legit it may look to the layperson... it's probably a rip off. I've personally seen stuff like this in the Saint John area, and I can't believe the lengths they go to make these things look legit, complete with sticker and warranty card.
Just to show how ridiculous it is now, these crooks are making completely fictional models up to try and dupe people looking for a deal. The latest one I became aware of is this:
This microphone does not even exist as a Shure product, but they make it look so authentic, people fall for it.
Be careful buying anything from non official dealers of brands. It's getting crazier out there every day.