Norm I believe you may have "hit the nail on the head" with this. So much bootleg (counterfeit) on the web it isn't even a funny any more. It is a battle every day it seems just to get genuine products when we need or want them. It is a lot of the reasons we are having such hard time making repairs.
We are not the only ones being con by these con-artists either as our vendors are victims too. All we can do is to be vigilant and use vendors that guarantee (stand behind) their products. Most that I use will credit me for the incorrect items. Depending the value they either just have me to toss the item or sent it back with either sending a replacement or by crediting my account. Those vendors are the ones I stick with. After 40 yrs of repairing items you do get sense when looking buy something that just don't seems and to avoid it; most times but not always. I tend on by a rule I have here. First mistake forgive if they make good, second shamed on the vendor sent the same lousy product, and it is my fault if I get stuck a third time. I rarely get to stage three usually after the second time the vendor gets dropped like a hot potato and the word get passed around about them.
I have found these forums are also a good source of info on some items that members have tried and had problems with. I even post a few myself where I got burned by a vendor or product. Oh there are those posters that sneak in and post phony info or ads but the moderators and administrators do our best to weed those out as quickly as we can or at least I do on a forum that I an administrator for. I especially hate those kitchen cabinets ads. It one violation that get a new member fully banned as soon I can enter the banning info.
I leave anyone alone for a few hours as I got 4 chainsaws to repair today. Hopefully I am not dumb enough to cut off my own leg while I am at it.
Sorry I just want to use the chainsaw smiley.
