Is this normal? (Smok authenticity results)

[ogvapes]

Hey fellow vapeheads! I took a calculated risk and purchased some smok T8's on eBay. I entered the scratch-off code on smok's website and it passed but it displays TFV8 - The Cloud Beast on the results page. Is that normal? (the T8's are for the baby beast/big baby beast) I know the cloud/baby/big baby are essentially the same family but I want to be sure this is legit. Cheers.

 

[Zutankhamun]

Yeah that seems correct. Hopefully someone will chime in who knows more. I think I have one of the tfv8s somewhere.

It’s the correct coil for that mod and so the ticks are there I think.

I’ve done the same as you for coils and they were fine
It makes me smile how you say ‘calculated risk’

 

[untar]

Maybe, maybe not. It's like buying ground meat on the black market...
Sorry to say but ebay is definitely not where you want to buy vape supplies.

 

[Rangertrix]

It's correct.
That's what the ones I just checked said. Had to blow the dust off to see the sticker though. Lol.

 

[ogvapes]

Thanks @Zutankhamun . H

Yeah that seems correct. Hopefully someone will chime in who knows more. I think I have one of the tfv8s somewhere.

It’s the correct coil for that mod and so the ticks are there I think.

I’ve done the same as you for coils and they were fine
It makes me smile how you say ‘calculated risk’

Hehehe thanks for reassuring me. I know, I know lol... By calculated I meant a long time seller with positive feedback.

 

[ogvapes]

It's correct.
That's what the ones I just checked said. Had to blow the dust off to see the sticker though. Lol.

That's a relief thank you. That's funny about the dust...my original post here was going to be "what the heck does the code say"? I took a picture of it and everything.

 

[Zutankhamun]

Maybe, maybe not. It's like buying ground meat on the black market...
Sorry to say but ebay is definitely not where you want to buy vape supplies.

?? Explanation would be great.

If we are talking batteries which don’t have scratch code thingys then you are correct.

@ogvapes
I’m the same as you.
If the box hasn’t been tampered with and the coil looks good and the codes check out then I’d be happy with that.

 

[Zaryk]

I've had fakes that passed security check before. They were bought off ebay. The ones I had vaped very poorly, and there were slight differences on the box they came in from the authentics.

 

[ogvapes]

I've had fakes that passed security check before. They were bought off ebay. The ones I had vaped very poorly, and there were slight differences on the box they came in from the authentics.

I guess I'll know for sure tomorrow when I get new juice for it and fire it up. Fingers crossed.

 

[Zutankhamun]

Me and Zaryk have both bought coils from ebay.
We’re both here to tell the tale.

I hope you don’t have a sub-par vape

Ps. @Zaryk
How did you decide they were fake in the end?
I’ve had duds from reputable vendors from some of the biggest names

 

[Zaryk]

Me and Zaryk have both bought coils from ebay.
We’re both here to tell the tale.

I hope you don’t have a sub-par vape

Ps. @Zaryk
How did you decide they were fake in the end?
I’ve had duds from reputable vendors from some of the biggest names

There were a few differences in the coil (like font on the coil and build quality) from authentics. One was not put together correctly (had no rubber insulator) and The blister packs were a lot cheaper and much more flimsy. The boxes were printed closely, but the colors were off, and the text on the back was in the wrong font, and in bold when the authentics have the proper font and not in bold. And finally when I contacted the seller, they said they knew they were not authentic, even though they listed them as such, and was sourced directly from the clone manufacturer. They gave my money back and had me keep the 4 boxes of coils.

 

[untar]

the codes check out

Like Zaryk says, some fake devices (to my personal knowledge eleaf pico and smok alien) have turned up with valid codes. Those were standing out because they were a lot cheaper than usual and were obviously fake when seen in person (materials used, slight differences in placements of buttons and design, different electronics).

We're talking about companies in China which are notorious for some staff leaking all kinds of information to 3rd parties for a little money. I wouldn't be surprised if you can buy 5000 smok auth codes that are genuine and will check out. A valid code doesn't mean it's genuine.

 

[Rangertrix]

I had some coils that passed the code check years ago (have only used rebuildables for quite some time).
I discovered they were fake when I scratched the code off of the 5 boxes I bought...........
They all had the same code, lol.

 

[Zutankhamun]

I see.
Well I think that you take a chance on these things.
Years ago when I used coils I used to buy mine from the same place I got my other stuff.
If I ran low then I’d get a 5 pack from ebay. Really though, I couldn’t be bothered scratching and copying a code anyway.
They were fine.

Sometimes you get bad luck. You do get reputable guys on eBay
I buy my batts from a particular vendor here in the U.K. but one of the biggest, well-known and trusted guys is from ebay.
I wouldn’t tar everyone with the same brush.

However, you are correct. It’s easier to sneak things through and I wouldn’t make a habit of buying everything from ebay.

 

[Zutankhamun]

The fearmongerers are gathering ogvapes...

Take it easy now. Deep breaths

 

[Rangertrix]

One thing to bear in mind is that a lot of the "trusted vendors" everyone agrees should be used, buy their stuff from the same Chinese vendors everyone says to avoid.
Ironic, ain't it?

Even trusted vendors get fakes now and again and don't even know it.
I say if it vapes, use it.

 

[ogvapes]

Thanks all for the feedback on this - it's good to hear everyone's stories and experiences. I'll report back with what I discover. I don't have another box on hand to compare it to but I do have an old T8 I can use for a close comparison. Wouldn't be the end of the world if they turn out not to be authentic - I'm an avid eBayer and they always side with the buyer when an issue is reported.

 

[JCinFLA]

I'm an avid eBayer and they always side with the buyer when an issue is reported.

That's unfortunate, too, because sometimes the buyer is a scam artist! Had a lady buy a brand new Lands' End children's coat from me (in their factory packaging and with all tags, too) and then claim it was not as described. eBay refunded her total cost including shipping from my PP account, when she showed proof that she'd mailed a package back to me. She'd sent me...her child's old ratty, nasty, filthy, well worn out Lands' End jacket! I took pics to show them what she'd sent me, and eBay didn't even want to look at them. I couldn't even leave negative feedback for her to warn other sellers about her either. eBay stopped allowing sellers to post negative feedback for buyers for any reason, in 2009 or 2010. I quit selling on eBay 3 weeks later...after 10 years.

 

[ogvapes]

That's unfortunate, too, because sometimes the buyer is a scam artist! Had a lady buy a brand new Lands' End children's coat from me (in their factory packaging and with all tags, too) and then claim it was not as described. eBay refunded her total cost including shipping from my PP account, when she showed proof that she'd mailed a package back to me. She'd sent me...her child's old ratty, nasty, filthy, well worn out Lands' End jacket! I took pics to show them what she'd sent me, and eBay didn't even want to look at them. I couldn't even leave negative feedback for her to warn other sellers about her either. eBay stopped allowing sellers to post negative feedback for buyers for any reason, in 2009 or 2010. I quit selling on eBay 3 weeks later...after 10 years.

You're preaching to the choir. My "avidness" is 80% selling. I've been screwed over countless times and the number of times I've said "I'm done with this!" is ridiculous. Honestly the reason I created this thread (along with the obvious) was so that I didn't throw accusations his/her way without a good reason.

 

[Coyote628]

There were a few differences in the coil (like font on the coil and build quality) from authentics. One was not put together correctly (had no rubber insulator) and The blister packs were a lot cheaper and much more flimsy. The boxes were printed closely, but the colors were off, and the text on the back was in the wrong font, and in bold when the authentics have the proper font and not in bold. And finally when I contacted the seller, they said they knew they were not authentic, even though they listed them as such, and was sourced directly from the clone manufacturer. They gave my money back and had me keep the 4 boxes of coils.

You got lucky that time, lol.