New Callaway FT-i for $99

[Dan Twomey]

Here's the Ebay auction: http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130187773020&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:CA:1123 I emailed the seller to query about local pickup. The seller responded that local pickup is not available but went onto mention that this is an authentic piece! In my final response to the seller I told them I'd post the auction here. Opinions anyone?

Regards,
Dan :D

[JEBS]

when it comes to online commerce I always say "buy the seller" and if it is to good to be true then...

I have bought quite a bit through this forum and I have always had face to face meetings, gives me peace of mind and I have got some pretty smoking deals here at TGN !!!

[dks_34]

Seeing as this is the seller's first auction I would be a little cautious. An 'authentic' Callaway FT-i driver for only $99 - would also make me wonder. And lastly - they don't take paypal....so if there is an issue you're pretty much out of luck!

[davevandyk]

not a chance would i go near this thing, don't care if it was $20! He won't do local pick-up, won't accept paypal... all he will accept is methods that you can't retract if you aren't happy.

[Tyger]

Another fake from China IMO...not worth the risk! Dont touch it!!

[BowmanvilleJim]

I only have one thing to say about that.....FAKE

[TORAIDER]

The seller responded that local pickup is not available but went onto mention that this is an authentic piece!


One question...did the seller provide an authentic Serial #?

[ondadl]

In her reply, did she also deny the use of steroids:hyper:

[Weirfan]

:D you are smart to be cautious but to look at an e-bayers feedback rating and say it's zero so not to buy ??????

well that is just plain stupid advice........think about it, everybody starts with a 0 fb rating........if everyone followed this MENSA advice then nothing would have ever sold on ebay.

also how can anyone say it's a fake without seeing it.......more bad advice....

however, you do need to be diligent in any purchase and with this one there is no actual photo......again this is not uncommon for ebay........there are thousands of items with stock photos...........it could be cuz he's a noob but it is another signal to exert caution and I would ask if he has pictures that he can send of the real item.

again NO Local pick up is nothing at all to be concerned with in itself.............I have bought and sold hundreds of items and if you have ever tried to coordinate a local pick-up...which I have doe with 3 sets of snow tires .........it is a royal pain in the butt...........people are latse, cancel,,,,,,under no cisrcumstances will I ever allow for local pick up and this is not unusual on ebay.

the best advice you have received is to ask for a serial number and check that out with Callaway..........a good sign of a decent ebay seller is good communication and answer to questions.........if he wont provide one or doesnt answer...dont buy..............

in any auction that I am interested in I always ask a question and if I get no reply then I dont buy.

prices change and drivers can be had at a steal on ebay this time of year.....like the Superquad tp that recently was bought by a fellow golfer for $250........

In any event, with all ebay auctions and unseen items there is inherent risk, that is why things go so cheaply on ebay.............you most often do save 50 + % over GT pricing.........

you would be shocked at some of the deals that I have got on brand new items.....saving well over half of new and sometimes paying close to 1/3 of retail ( and first time sellers can be the best to buy from to get the best deals....but caution need to be taken)

follow the advice above and you will be ok...........

ask for pics
serial number

if nothing back.....I would likely stay away..........but then at $100 or so dollars, it is a small risk to some for a $400 driver........thats like one average evening out for wings and beer

[sharkhark]

From callys own site. especially number 4 based on your price.

http://www.callawaygolf.com/ca.cg.ContactUs.NineWays.html

[Weirfan]

also just noticed that he will not accept PP so this is another red flag........and with ebay I strongly suggest that you never buy anything outside using paypal.

so.........there are several red flags with this auction that either indicates that the seller is really green and stupid or is trying to pull a fast one.

for me.........the fact that PP is not accepted and if they do not provide pics and a serial number would keep me away from this one

[BowmanvilleJim]

I can understand the seller not wanting to do a local pick up but for me the number one red flag is when they won't accept Paypal. Any time the seller only wants payment via a method that you can't retract and provides you with no security then I would just walk away.

[TourIQ]

Serial no. means nothing unless verified by Callaway as authentic. I bought a new Ti 454 off eBay and it was a counterfeit. It had a serial no., and a darn good copy of the original. About 10 minor things wrong but put the fake shaft side by side with the original and I could not tell except it had a 335 tip diameter and not the standard 350 issued by Callaway. The V chevron was slightly off on colour, the plastic head wrap a gauge lighter, headcover stitching off on 1 panel ...

I did not realize the seller did not accept PayPal until after I placed my bid, now I check more closely. There are great deals to be had but buyer beware.

[Weirfan]

Serial no. means nothing unless verified by Callaway as authentic. I bought a new Ti 454 off eBay and it was a counterfeit. It had a serial no., and a darn good copy of the original. About 10 minor things wrong but put the fake shaft side by side with the original and I could not tell except it had a 335 tip diameter and not the standard 350 issued by Callaway. The V chevron was slightly off on colour, the plastic head wrap a gauge lighter, headcover stitching off on 1 panel ...

I did not realize the seller did not accept PayPal until after I placed my bid, now I check more closely. There are great deals to be had but buyer beware.

of course you need to check the serial number ....otherwise why ask:rofl:

I had a 454 that I reshafted last year and initially thought it was a fake as it had a .335 shaft in it....but it was legit and had the Billy Bobs adaptor when I pulled it

Callaway fakes can be really good........I still have a set of x16 iron heads here that a fellow brought to me....shafts kept snapping at the hosels.....the shafts all looked legit with cally logos and silkscreen, the grips all Cally velvets,.....they evem went through the process of doing them bore thru .......

but when I pulled the heads hmmmmmmm...wrong hosel diameter...........hmmm really odd weights and lofts.......called callaway and found met with one of their guys at Targetlines one day and even he was amazed at the quality...but fake

these were sold to this guy by Copper Creek too so even they missed it........

[racmbs]

We should all post bids on it to p!ss off that scammer........

[Weirfan]

at $180 , price that the item sold for is not that low compared to others sold on ebay..........many have gone for well under $200.....maybe fakes as well????

some over $200

I emailed the buyer and advised her not to paly without getting actual pics and a serial number to check with Callaway

[Dan Twomey]

FT-i back again. http://cgi.ebay.ca/Callaway-FT-i-Draw-Driver-Flex-R-Loft-10-Fujikura-New_W0QQitemZ130189208363QQihZ003QQcategoryZ115280 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

She now has a 1 rating because of a brand new TM Burner that went for $99!

Regards,
Dan :eek:

[swaaain]

also just noticed that he will not accept PP so this is another red flag........and with ebay I strongly suggest that you never buy anything outside using paypal.

so.........there are several red flags with this auction that either indicates that the seller is really green and stupid or is trying to pull a fast one.

for me.........the fact that PP is not accepted and if they do not provide pics and a serial number would keep me away from this one


Very good point. No protection at all.!!!!

Great pick up.

[Dan Twomey]

I've been in touch with the winner of this auction. If I had to guess I'd say she's on her way to getting screwed. Here's her most recent email,


hi
so this golf club you were asking about - brother are we getting the runaround from this woman
it seems her english with every passing email is like she cant speak english anymore
they cashed our chq - didnt even let us know they recd it when i asked her to let us know when they did receive it
i had to ask them - then we asked her to send to the address on our ebay page - the post office notified her they couldnt ship it - she had to resend. i kept asking her where she sent it, never replies.
then we confirmed address where to send again - she says shell be sendign this week - were still waiting for a reply
what rude and ignorant people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i guess theyre out there and they have to live with themselves
we're not like that way and gave themthe benefit of a doubt - but thats the chance you take with ebay right
will keep you posted
lori (for randy :)


Regards,
Dan

[Richard]

Yep, the seller had only one previous feedback, thats a red light there that would make me hesitate

I use paypal with credit card, even if I get screwed and paypal screws me too, my credit card will reverse the funds

Had to do that once

[Clevelandfan]

I have a question for all the counterfeit spotters out there. I was going through the buy/sell section and see a set of mizunos that look pimped. I also have mizuno irons, MP 60s and MP-R wedges. I custom ordered through my golf club, had to send my 7iron back to get fixed as head came loose.
From the pictures, you see the serial #s but they are on the plastic hosel portion which I haven't seen before, the other issue are the wedges are just MP wedges not MP-R or MP-T which are the only 2 models they sell from my knowledge.
Don't want to falsely call someone out but want opinions.