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• PRO

  Gary RK October 31, 2013 at 6:58am

  I think the whole area of clone spares can be a nightmare, especially if the item being replaced is safety related (such as rotational items, cutting blades, chains, belts, guards etc). I would not like to think of, say, a chinese clone stone cutting disk disintegrating at 8k rpm :-(

  However the risk can be low for certain items and I think it is certainly worth looking online...

  I would suggest that some of these spares particularly on eBay are illegal clones and thus may not adhere to normal high standards. I think it key here to differentiate these items from non-oem parts suppliers where the products provenance is known. I'm thinking here of companies such as Oregon, GSF etc who specialise in this market.

  I recently bought a spare hi capacity battery from an Amazon MarketPlace trader for my nail gun and it was recalled as being 'dangerous with a possibility of exploding during charging'. 'Apparently', the Trader had received a batch of 'clone' batteries that were assumed to be from a 'recognised' supplier.
• PRO

  Robbie October 31, 2013 at 9:26am

  If an item If it's made in China chances are they are also cloning it in china.

  http://www.ebay.com/gds/VCM-Clones-and-Chinese-Knock-offs-DONT-BE-A...
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  Brendan McHale October 31, 2013 at 9:48am

  any pattern parts might not last as long as the originals or as previously said be dangerously made
  I know its not the same but a while back bought pattern wheel bearings from europarts for the van, they didnt last was a waste of money as no where near the quality of oe ford ones
  plus if your equipment is still under any warrenty pattern parts will invailidate it
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  Geoff Norfolk October 31, 2013 at 1:13pm

  I'm certainly wary of buying something directly from China however other people I know have done so with no problems. Its easy to dismiss Chinese products as poor quality however so many of our "quality" items which we assume are made in europe are now made in China when you look at the small print..... if you can find it! On Ebay, buy from an established seller with excellent feedback and who will honour a guarantee... I wouldn't be at all surprised to find that your Stihl quality part comes from China.
  Did buy some very dodgy "sennheisser" earphones that were very poor quality ... these came from China and were definitely cloned despite the sellers protestations.
  As Gary says, I'd be cautious of items where safety might be involved...... clones, when copies are badged up as Honda, Stihl etc should perhaps be avoided due to the illegality of this however I reckon its worth giving copies a go from a reputable seller where you can save 75% of the price.
  Its also worth bearing in mind that so many of our car parts are non-original copies and give years of excellent service without us even realising they've been fitted..... brake pads/shoes + other numerous brake parts, clutches, steering racks,belts, bearings etc etc.
  Brendan was a bit unfortunate with his bearings..... most, if not all bearings are manufactured by reputable companies that would supply both Ford and the spare parts "pattern" industry......... in all probability, they are identical items but in different boxes. If you look closely at the "stamp" on the bearing side, you may well find its identical to the one you're replacing.
  If you're ever after bearings for as an example, those mower front wheels, try http://www.bearingboys.co.uk/Bearings-1005-c?gclid=CLTszaWSwboCFfMb... ..... any size bearing of any type you could ever want at a fraction of the price. They also supply belts.
• PRO

  Gary RK October 31, 2013 at 1:26pm

  Geoff agree that one should not dismiss items just because they come from China.
  
  However. , I believe there are two separate aspects here;
  
  1; machines, spares/consumables legitimately made in China and imported to the EU with correct approvals - ie designed, tested and safe to use
  
  2; clone items, made with scant regard to users and really just scams or where money is put totally before safety and suitability.
  
  Is it not all about knowing the items provenance ?