Please refer back to https://my350z.com/forum/showpost.ph...4&postcount=40

Last time I checked, this is a good thing for the end consumer. We don't purchase a part to help a business stay in business, we do it because we feel it is the best part that suits our need at the time. If a company goes out of business, it's most likely their own damn fault.

 

If knock-offs help reduce prices of authentic parts, I hope people keep getting ripped off so that I can benefit.

 

Reduced prices for authentic parts are great! However, it can also come at a price. Usually it could mean lower pricing because production is moved to third world countries where labor, materials and taxes are cheaper. Unfortunatly that means more warranty issues and more customer service on the manufacturers part. Even in controlled factories in third world countries, quality control is not as stringent and the rate of defects increase.

The reason I buy authentic is because when something goes wrong, the manufacturer will cover the warranty and assist you with your claim. The parts also must conform to thier quality control standards.

 

***, another one of these threads! I think it all comes down to what people are willing to pay for a particular item, and whether they think its worth it! I have a true dual ti HKS, Volk GTV's Tein coils and a replica V.2, Im I willing to pay over a G for a front bumper alone hell no! Some people arent willing to pay outrageous amounts for Volks or Works, I cant blame them, but people will notice Rota's before a replica kit, thats made from the same materials and just as good mold! I know this has been said before, but I keep seeing the same threads, so I figured I'd say it this time! Plus, the guys that post these threads have industry connects and probably dont pay full retail price anyway, so why should they talk or care! I know I'm gonna get flamed so let me go suit up.

 

Sorry, no offense, but you seem to be trying to confuse the issue.

1. No one is advocating counterfeit goods. Making a fake, trying to pass it off as the real thing, is a crime. I don't really think anyone on this forum thinks that is a good idea, or would knowingly purchase such an item.

2. I haven't heard of a copy of a Garrett turbo, other than the Garretts re badged by Japanese and Australian companies, and I agree, they are using a form of deception, when they run a grinder over garrett and add a different name. They should all be prosecuted for deceptive practices, don't you think? As I don't have any Garrett turbos, and don't have any plans to buy any, why would I even care, personally? My livelihood has nothing to do with automobiles. Does yours?

3. When you go to the Japanese link for Apexi, what has happened is that the next screen lists A'pexi, it is not gone, you have to be smart enough to click on the next link. Looks like they decided to add MORE product lines, not go out of business.

4. Again, look at the news on the USA site. THEY JUST RELEASED A TURBO KIT AND OTHER PARTS FOR THE EVO. They did not stop making performance parts.

BIG QUESTION: Are you a competitor of A'Pexi that is spreading this rumor to damage the customer base in the United States? If you are trying to make a case for them, you have a very strange way of showing it. STARTING A RUMOR that they are going out of business or abandoning a segment of the market could subject you to legal action on their part. Be careful when you are in the business to use only LEGAL business practices to attack your competitor. Not start and spread false rumors to damage them.

Have a nice day.

Strangely, this mirrors the rumor starters about C-west - C-west found the rumors humorous, and a forum member just purchased a body kit from the "going out of business" C-West. hmmmm.

I have to ask myself, are these people starting the rumors trying to damage the companies the rumors are about?

 

There is also an economic point of view missing here "the circle"...for ex "brand A" creates a good part and they know it's good so they charge what ever the hell they want for it without competition. Similar to Intel did with the Pentium in the late 90's before Cyrix and AMD started nipping at their heals. Then companies "Budget X", "Y" and "Z" make knock-offs which pulls away some revenue and forces brand A to compete by lowering their prices and creating other products to sell. News and word of mouth spead and about XYZ making bullsh!t so one of them steped up to the plate amd make a good product with quality. So now budget X becomes Brand X (what AMD did) and creates a good product to compete against Brand A while Budget Y and Z go out of business (like Cyrix). Just like what happened to Intel...now there is a good business and product competing called AMD...
...they will compete and keep prices low until one goes under. then there will be one company again and the process will start all over. This causes the markets to go up and down...some people will buy dirt some will get fooled and some will get quality...but friendly competition will help keep the costs down. So unfortunately cheap and quality are non existant but with the friendly competition there can be inexpensive and good...high price and great...cheap and hope it works...LOL to fit all your budgetting needs

 

And how does all of this hurt your butthole in any way?

Why do you care what others are doing with their money or how they think? Maybe I dont want to buy an exhaust for 1500 bux but i would much rather settle with a knock-off or buying a used one for a cheaper price. I am the one taking the risk not you so why should you give a rat's a$$? Not all of us have money up the ying-yang but would still like to enjoy the better side of performance. And as far as Authentic products raising their prices due to knock-offs makes no sence. If the fakes are selling more units then the Authentic ones, don't you think the name brand companies would lower their prices just to hang? I personal think its a plus for us. But I still do the see the down side of the Fakes. I can imagine what the name brand companies will pull on their products just so they can lower the prices to hang with the knock-offs.

 

yes, USA is still doing that, but Apex'i Japan is no longer making anything but electronics.

 

I've been on vacation and busy with work, so i haven't had a chance to respond.

I gave the wrong example of the turbo, it was the XS Power Turbo that I am referring to. A knock off of Turbonetics. Why is it bad? It's glued together. Thats why it's cheap.

To answer the questions, no i am not in competition with Apexi, HKS, or Greddy. Are you in competition with the original parts makers? Maybe you produce fake parts? Spreading rumors about fake parts and original parts being made in the same factories can be very damaging to a companies reputation. I've also heard rumors about my company being closed, I too thought it was humorous. If Inada-San is making rumors, then i've got my sources from the wrong guy. But being the publisher for Options magazine, I don't doubt his statements.

Original companies are hurting and they can only sell items for so cheap. It's a double edged sword that they are located in Japan, where real estate is really expensive, which drives up the costs of living, transportation, materials, salaries, etc. Japan cannot compete with China when it comes to price. However, being a Japanese company makes 'em cool because they are the founders and innovators of the Japanese car modding scene.

Most of these companies don't look to the US to make most of thier money. They are focused on their home market.

It's also not fair to compare the tech industry to the auto aftermarket industry. How many people are buying computer chips compared to bumpers or turbos? You can't compare the economics.

One thing that Japan can pride itself on is quality and service. These companies just don't make up a price and say "lets charge x amount today!"

Buy what you like, it's your car. Just don't buy a part because the price is appealing. Remember if it looks too good to be true, it usually is the case.

I've said what I needed to say, and there is no need for me to argue with those that have closed thier minds to the big picture. The industry as a whole, is in decline because of copies.

 

I've read about too many crap replicas to even take a chance.. you're still taking a chance with authetics, why bet on lessening your satisfactory level with replicas? My do-luck rear fits absolutely perfect. I mean, it lines up perfectly. replica performance are even more, far less desirable. You'll have welding, heat absorbtion, power gain issues. Yeah, some replicas are ok, if you luck out, but that's a chance I'm not willing to take. I'm actually considering the nismo version2 wing, as authentic is rediculously priced.. but I don't think I have the ballz to purchase a crappy replica..

 

So yah, you wanted proof that Apexi is bankrupt?

Here you go, it's official:
click on the link. Apexera is the parent company.

https://www.teikoku.com/Bankruptcy.aspx

I've also heard BBS just decalared bankruptcy as well.

http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/n...1854_14055.hbs

 

Just got a Origin front bumper which is a Vertex replica. Everything looks good with it but we'll see how it paints and installs. Will keep you posted. Came in a Vielside box.

 

yeah i guess getting replica or cheap parts that are important on the car, mechanics wise is a bad idea. but something like a wing? bumper? i have the v2 front from xxxxx, and its holding up really well. fitment was great, paint looks great. but like everyone else in here said, i dont think im able to get a 200 dollar header.

 

+100! AMD X2 4400

Back to the topic: If the "average guy" wants a better sounding exhaust will the OBX or the HKS "knockoff" do? Does he care what grade SS it made from, if it sounds better, looks better, and does not rattle?

 

Just adding to the thread, Wal-mart does not sell the high quality parts from the manufacturer, 2 lines from the manufacturer are actually designed, one for the industry and one for wal-mart, its part of the deal with getting your products sold at wal-mart because they have to meet certain criteria to be sold so cheaply. Instead of using a high quality conductive metal something cheaper is replaced...etc. This is heavily represented with the tv's they sell, while you may by a RCA from them for 220 that is sold elsewhere for 450, when the tv breaks after 2 years, don't complain. They use a lower quality part because Wal-Mart is evil, lol. Basically they tell you put up or shut up if you can't sell something at the price they want, they won't put you on the shelves, it doesn't hurt walmart they have tons of companies wanting in, so instead a manufacturer makes a cheaper offshoot...its like buying parts from Pep Boys, or tires...anyone heard of a Road King tire, lol.

End of rant.

 

I kinda like knock offs, that way all the douche bags can go buy their fake V2's and Ings kits, cheap *** exhausts, and wanna be Rotas. Makes all of us who will spend the money on our Z's to buy authentic parts more rare.

 

I like to watch those get butthurt from other peoples choice in aftermarket parts.....WHO CARES.

I sell both authentic and replica. I also have both authentic and replica on my car...does that mean my car is less "cool" because it has replica parts? Hell no.

Do your own research, if you find an authentic part to be worth the extra gagillion dollars, then go for it. There are times replicas are ok and a time they aren't.

Good example:
Body kit= good for replica (if made by decent manufacture)
Rims= BAD knockoff choice

 

duhhhh, this has been discussed over and over, but I completely agree. There is a difference between knockoff body kits though. some are pretty decent.

 

aren't Rota rims made in the phillipines?

 

Capitalism rules - compete or go out of business - end of story.