Foreign factories are supplying unscrupulous companies in the U.S. with counterfeit equipment and going after refurbed users. This causes many problems in the market place and has a direct effect on legitimate resellers and their customers.
What to look for
Cheap Price! Counterfeiters usually price new counterfeit equipment below refurb market prices.
Supplier has an endless supply
Internet sales only, no face behind the sale.
After receiving counterfeit equipment
The product will look similar, even the boxes.
Some counterfeiters even use fake bar codes.
Fake modules will sometimes work well in 1 device but not another.
The Dead On Arrival (DOA) rate will be higher.
Counterfeit equipment is usually greater than 5% DOA rate.
Refurbed equipment has less than 1% DOA rate.
New equipment is greater than 1% DOA rate.
A drop out rate will follow the high DOA rate and will continue thru the life of the product. Counterfeiters use the most inferior and cheapest components available. They may honor the warranty for a short time as long as they are operating under the name.
What could happen if counterfeit equipment is kept?
Counterfeit modules can damage genuine equipment.
The warranty and Smartnet will be void on the system.
The equipment may be confiscated by authorities.
How to avoid
Do not buy from on-line only companies with no sales rep to visit you.
Question the price, if it is too good to be true, it probably is.
Buy from a trusted dealer and make sure the seller is a member of the United Networking Equipment Dealers Association (UNEDA). The UNEDA is a reseller group that holds its members to the highest level of ethics.
Contact us for an email of a current list of counterfeit equipment.
Did you know?
Refurbed Equipment has a DOA rate better then new, it’s burned in.
Refurbed Cisco equipment can go on Smartnet. The equipment can be certified and re-licensed and an electronic token for Smartnet would be provided. This is cost effective on larger systems that must have maintenance.
The USAF buys refurbed aircraft parts from 3rd party companies to maintain it's air fleet and keep us safe.