Are these Volk Racing Formula Lug Nuts counterfeit?

[PandaSPUR]

Originally Posted by Ammunition

I was considering purchasing these same lug nuts, but it seemed that there were so many replica versions, or versions that were hard to identify - I wanted the black ones, which sometimes were shown with black writing on the side, or red, and most sites pictured one or the other (I ended up going with a different set, mostly for aesthetics.)

Was the seller a reputable vendor on the forum here? I feel like you should be safe if you bought them from a vendor here, or if you had a vendor order them for you directly; however, I know at least with their wheels, Rays is particular about how much a vendor is able to discount their product (for example, Varis supposedly doe not allow any discount or sale promotions to be applied to their products, in order to keep their product prestigious.)

Therefore, if you got them for significantly lower than the MSRP, or another price you couldn't refuse, that might raise a red flag.

I bought it off an individual on the facebook FT86 buy/sell group. It was just a guy who was selling his one set of used lug nuts. He seems certain that these are real so I guess he's either lying real hard or he got ripped off too.

[8R6]

Originally Posted by PandaSPUR

@8R6 can you confirm?

And yea I didnt even notice that until you mentioned it.. I don't see those stamped markings on any of the pics of authentics.

my friend's been out of the country for the past couple weeks and is coming back i think next week or so, so i wont be able to get a hold of him until then

[PandaSPUR]

Originally Posted by 8R6

my friend's been out of the country for the past couple weeks and is coming back i think next week or so, so i wont be able to get a hold of him until then

Ah alrighty, thanks anyways. I think PayPal is supposed to make their decision by the 11th or something. Its outta my hands now anyway.

[CSG Mike]

Sorry @PandaSPUR. When the deal is too good to be true, it often is.

Let us know if you want the real deal.

[mav1178]

Here's a small secret: Volk Racing doesn't make lug nuts.

-alex

[PandaSPUR]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Sorry @PandaSPUR. When the deal is too good to be true, it often is.

Let us know if you want the real deal.

Could you PM me the price shipped?

Originally Posted by mav1178

Here's a small secret: Volk Racing doesn't make lug nuts.

-alex

They used to. They were rebranded to Rays later after the abundance of counterfeits labeled as Volk Racing. Wish I knew that before buying.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by PandaSPUR

They used to. They were rebranded to Rays later after the abundance of counterfeits labeled as Volk Racing. Wish I knew that before buying.

Here's another secret: Rays doesn't make their own lug nuts.

-alex

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by mav1178

Here's another secret: Rays doesn't make their own lug nuts.

-alex

That's like saying the majority of the industry outsources the actual production to someone else...

[PandaSPUR]

Originally Posted by mav1178

Here's another secret: Rays doesn't make their own lug nuts.

-alex

So when you go shopping for parts, you always search for the item based on the OEM? What should I look up when shopping for these RAYS Formula Lug Nuts?

[Ashikabi]

Originally Posted by PandaSPUR

So when you go shopping for parts, you always search for the item based on the OEM? What should I look up when shopping for these RAYS Formula Lug Nuts?

I doubt you'll find the OEM. Likely some factory in China

[CrazyWookiee]

Sorry, These are definitely reps.

[PandaSPUR]

Originally Posted by Ashikabi

I doubt you'll find the OEM. Likely some factory in China

Yea that what I figured. I just dont get what point the guy is trying to make. I'm buying these lug nuts because I like the design. Not because I believe that they have JDM magic that will add 10HP o_o.

Originally Posted by CrazyWookiee

Sorry, These are definitely reps.

lets hope PayPal agrees.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by PandaSPUR

So when you go shopping for parts, you always search for the item based on the OEM? What should I look up when shopping for these RAYS Formula Lug Nuts?

That's not my point.

All I'm saying is that Rays doesn't make their own stuff.... don't be too fixated on a small thing on where the tapered cap doesn't look 100% exactly like others that are listed.

Rays doesn't even list these lugs on their Japan site anymore...

https://www.rayswheels.co.jp/product...ang=en&r=0&f=2

As for the question of whether your lugs are authentic or not, that I do not know. But it's very easy for the manufacturer of the lugs to modify a small element of them, and sell them to any number of 3rd party sellers to flood the marketplace. Don't get caught up in the details and don't feel bad or cheated when these small things catch up to you.

If they were cast wheels instead of forged TE37, fine. But lug nuts? You'll be okay.

-alex

[PandaSPUR]

Originally Posted by mav1178

That's not my point.

All I'm saying is that Rays doesn't make their own stuff.... don't be too fixated on a small thing on where the tapered cap doesn't look 100% exactly like others that are listed.

Rays doesn't even list these lugs on their Japan site anymore...

https://www.rayswheels.co.jp/product...ang=en&r=0&f=2

As for the question of whether your lugs are authentic or not, that I do not know. But it's very easy for the manufacturer of the lugs to modify a small element of them, and sell them to any number of 3rd party sellers to flood the marketplace. Don't get caught up in the details and don't feel bad or cheated when these small things catch up to you.

If they were cast wheels instead of forged TE37, fine. But lug nuts? You'll be okay.

-alex

They're still listed here: https://www.rayswheels.co.jp/product...en&r=0&f=2&s=1

And I just cannot trust $20 replica lug nuts on my car. I'm always gonna be paranoid that they may just break. Sure its just a piece of metal and yea they may even come from the same factory as the authentics, a lot of replicas do. But as usual, authentics usually have higher QC standards vs replicas.

I'd rather pay more for the authentic article and be happy.