How to Tell if a Yonex Is Fake

Name-brand products from reputable companies often are made of the highest quality--and usually carry a hefty price tag. Because of this, shady retailers attempt to sell knock-off versions, such as those who sell fake Yonex rackets. Yonex badminton rackets can sell for as much as $300 each. So if the racket price is considerably lower than the standard price and being sold as "new," it's likely the racket is a fake or illegally obtained. Fortunately, there are several ways to confirm if the Yonex racket in question is a fake.

Instructions

  1. How to Tell if a Yonex Is Fake

    • 1

      Buy or borrow a real Yonex racket. If you can't do either, use high-definition pictures of the racket from the Yonex website or a reliable, authorized dealer, or take your suspected fake to an actual dealer to make comparisons.

    • 2

      Look for the obvious details, such as misspellings of words like the make and model number of the racket. Logos that are of abnormal size or damaged parts on a racket that's advertised as new might also stick out.

    • 3

      Examine the packaging and logos of both rackets and compare them. Yonex logos should have smooth, uniform edges. Yonex rackets also typically are packaged in shrink wrap and not separate bagging.

    • 4

      Compare the dimensions of the suspected fake versus the real racket. Fake rackets may have longer or shorter shafts or differing racket head sizes. Handle grips might also be of differing sizes.

    • 5

      Consider the quality of the racket materials. Grommets holding the net strings should not be of irregular size or differing material. For example, the grommets on an Armortec 800 badminton racket have alternating rectangular grommets, while a fake might have all circular ones. Paint schemes should be symmetrical and complete. Joint areas between the racket parts such as the handle-to-head connection should be smooth.