Are these Volk Racing Formula Lug Nuts counterfeit?

[PandaSPUR]

So I bought a set of used Volk Racing Formula Lug Nuts from a guy on Facebook about 2 months ago. Cost me 50% of MSRP, I figured I was getting a good deal and the seller just wanted to get rid of his used lug nuts for whatever reason.

Received it, looked at it, and put it away in my drawer. Wasn't planning to use them until this summer when I get my aftermarket wheels.

Took a look a closer look at them today and noticed an anomaly. The allen key slots on the cap are tapered on mine where as none of the authentic listings I can find have that design.

So here's what mine look like:


Listing for authentic Volk nuts:
http://www.evasivemotorsports.com/mm...uct_Code=VRFNR

Listing for authentic RAYS nuts:
http://www.kamispeed.com/Rays-Formul....wfn12125u.htm

Listing for replica Volk nuts:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Volk-...08.4.37.Q0WkRD

Thread I found where a guy pointed out some fake Volk nuts, using the allen head taper as an indicator:
http://www.iwsti.com/forums/gr-wheel...d-conus-2.html

What do you guys think?

TBH I feel kinda bad for the seller because he thinks I'm just ripping him off (especially since I didnt notice until 2 months later). Already started talking to him over Paypal dispute, which he has now escalated to a claim.

[8R6]

look like replicas to me from the allen key area.

[PandaSPUR]

Originally Posted by 8R6

look like replicas to me from the allen key area.

Seller thinks that maybe the design has just changed over time and even the authentics were like that at one point. I cant find anything to prove or disprove that, you have any ideas?

[VIP BRZ]

What'd the packaging look like?

Your right, all the picture i can see of Authentic nuts are missing those indentations.
(also the logo seems to be panted in a very thin coat on your set) unused but we see they are already wearing away

[8R6]

Originally Posted by PandaSPUR

Seller thinks that maybe the design has just changed over time and even the authentics were like that at one point. I cant find anything to prove or disprove that, you have any ideas?

that i dunno for 100%... but my friend has a pretty old set of rays lugs and they still dont look like that.

[PandaSPUR]

Originally Posted by VIP BRZ

What'd the packaging look like?

Your right, all the picture i can see of Authentic nuts are missing those indentations.
(also the logo seems to be panted in a very thin coat on your set) unused but we see they are already wearing away

Packaging is exactly the same as whats in the Aliexpress listing, but that looks exactly the same as the Evasive listing for authentic Volk nuts.
He did say they were lightly used, so maybe that explains the fading lettering :\

Originally Posted by 8R6

that i dunno for 100%... but my friend has a pretty old set of rays lugs and they still dont look like that.

Hmm alrighty, thanks. I still have yet to find a listing of authentic Volk nuts that have the tapering around the alley key slot.

[VIP BRZ]

Do they have anything stamped into the lower rim?

[PandaSPUR]

Originally Posted by VIP BRZ

Do they have anything stamped into the lower rim?

Yea they have the thread specs stamped there. Also, where'd you get that pic? It shows the same taper around the allen key slot.

[VIP BRZ]

That's a picture seen at aliexpress..

I have been pouring over images and i believe the authentic ones will not have this marking. Can anyone confirm?

[PandaSPUR]

Originally Posted by VIP BRZ

That's a picture seen at aliexpress..

I have been pouring over images and i believe the authentic ones will not have this marking. Can anyone confirm?

@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.

[Ashikabi]

That bevel/angle is called a "counter sink". Might clear up any confusion when describing them to people

[ZionsWrath]

Counterfit lugs

What is the world coming too. I hope they don't shatter on you.

But then again I see some stuff on ali that is just the manufacturer of the name brand selling the same item so... BUt haven't browsed ali sites in a couple years. Bought some parts for a civic si off their years ago, no problems, came super fast too from DHL.

[PandaSPUR]

Originally Posted by Ashikabi

That bevel/angle is called a "counter sink". Might clear up any confusion when describing them to people

Hah thanks for that, wasn't sure how to describe it.

Originally Posted by ZionsWrath

Counterfit lugs

What is the world coming too. I hope they don't shatter on you.

But then again I see some stuff on ali that is just the manufacturer of the name brand selling the same item so... BUt haven't browsed ali sites in a couple years. Bought some parts for a civic si off their years ago, no problems, came super fast too from DHL.

Yea I'm glad I actually never mounted these. Paypal claim still in progress. Gonna go buy some brand new ones from an authorized dealer once I get the money back.

[Ammunition]

Originally Posted by PandaSPUR

Seller thinks that maybe the design has just changed over time and even the authentics were like that at one point. I cant find anything to prove or disprove that, you have any ideas?

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.