Fake Leupold close call - be aware

Pfcprc

Pfcprc

Super member
Joined
Jan 14, 2024
Messages
401
Reaction score
776
Location
Havant
I very nearly pressed buy on what I now believe is a fake Leupold VX3i 4.5-14 x 40 on eBay. So be aware. I did a last thing check and realized the end of the box says Matt-Iin and it should say Matte-1in also 170692 part number which is the windplex ret and states it is a Duplex. I hate fakes and the thought of paying £350+ for one!

I have let the seller know, I think looking at what else he has sold he is genuine. But let's see if he takes it down, I will give him a couple of hours and if not removed will let eBay know. I have made the mistake in telling him why I believe its a fake, will have to keep an eye out to make sure it does not resurface without the box.... This would have been the first scope I ever purchased on eBay, think I will give eBay a miss for scopes.

1740654185931.webp
 
Pfcprc said:
I very nearly pressed buy on what I now believe is a fake Leupold VX3i 4.5-14 x 40 on eBay. So be aware. I did a last thing check and realized the end of the box says Matt-Iin and it should say Matte-1in also 170692 part number which is the windplex ret and states it is a Duplex. I hate fakes and the thought of paying £350+ for one!

I have let the seller know, I think looking at what else he has sold he is genuine. But let's see if he takes it down, I will give him a couple of hours and if not removed will let eBay know. I have made the mistake in telling him why I believe its a fake, will have to keep an eye out to make sure it does not resurface without the box.... This would have been the first scope I ever purchased on eBay, think I will give eBay a miss for scopes.

View attachment 677867
Click to expand...
Fekkin Chinese bandits ! The $300 price reduction should have been a giveaway....
 
Last edited:
Well spotted ! Tiny clues can be a dead giveaway, and being alert to them can save you a lot of grief.
👍👍👍
 
Lots of Leupold fakes about unfortunately. It's one of those 'fancy' brands that have been targeted. It's like Mitutoyo digital calipers, there are tonnes of those that are fake, so you need to know what you're looking for.

Bloody annoying.
 
I've emailed Leupold before with serial numbers, they've all been fine, the fakes tend to use one number in a batch then change it after a while, so Leupold will know when they get one in for repair.
 
I had a mate buy what he thought was a MK4 6.5-20 , he came round grinning like a Cheshire cat wanting to show me it , he's face was a picture when I said it's fake and not even a half decent fake , luckily he got his money back through PayPal and was told to keep the scope . I think it ended up going in the bin .
 
He has taken it down now, now believes I am correct about it being fake.
 
Big thing for me was quoting the wrong ret to model number, Leupold have a very good way of leaving legacy older products on the web pages so you can check model numbers and spec. Makes you wonder why the fakers go to the effort to copy the product so well but then basic mistakes on packaging? Maybe they do it on purpose?
 
Leupold themselves are very helpful in confirming whether products are fake or real, and they have a vested interest in doing so

A quick email enquiry, quoting the serial number and spec, is usually replied to in short order
 
The VX3i is the most commonly faked Leupold and if buying you need to be aware of the tell tale signs. Unfortunate buyers are paying hundreds of pounds for these scopes and to be fair the seller is often not aware it's a fake and has been conned themselves. I have even seen them for sale from reputable gunshops.
Fake Leupold scopes have a number of giveaway signs such as,
The turrets are taller on the fakes
The spelling of Matt on the fakes, Leupold spelling is Matte
The image of the reticle on the box of the fake may be mildot but text says duplex.
Common serial number on the fakes, batches all have the same serial number.
The gold ring on the fakes is often very light and closer to silver.
And the big one which is easily checked.
The magnification on a Leupold scope is increased by turning the dial clockwise, on the fakes it is increased by turning anti clockwise.
Hope this helps if you're in the market for a Leupold. They are a victim of the scammers due to their success and popularity.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top