Bicycle Mechanics - Purchased counterfeit?

I bought a Ritchey saddle from Ebay and I looked at the logo. The logo doesn't look sharp, looks pixelated if you will. Let me know what you think?

http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss330/ValorMode/photo1.jpg

It's pad printed on a textured surface. It looks fine.

Is the logo painted/printed on or stitched in?

It's printed.

It's pad printed on a textured surface. It looks fine.

+1,

there are limits print quality when printing on rough surfaces. Seems normal to me.

Is there anything else wrong with it?

that's all i can find. Also the numbers and max, they look ok sharp. Not as sharp looking as a cheap brand origin8 saddle i have with way sharper writing on the numbers and max are on the rails.

The only opinion my butt has is about degree of anatomical compatibility. And I'd have to work at it to care even a tiny bit about what another rider thinks about my saddle. If it fits, doesn't weigh a ton, and don't appear to be ready come apart at a bump I'd ride it.
Unless you feel that you've paid good money for bling value that you haven't received, I wouldn't do much about it, save perhaps steer clear of that seller in the future.

(well, I'd probably shy away at a saddle decorated with a swastika, although the proximity to to a certain anatomical feature of the human body while riding could be seen as a not-too-subtle political commentary...)

Are either of the words "velo" or "dimension" molded into the plastic anywhere?

Are either of the words "velo" or "dimension" molded into the plastic anywhere?

nope, only a circle with numbers like a time clock.

Ritcheylogic.com is his official website. If you don't see it there, its probably fishy. Chris

Saddles and seatposts are probably the most commonly counterfeited on eBay. They are easy to replicate compared to other things like frames/wheels/cranks etc...

Saddles and seatposts are probably the most commonly counterfeited on eBay. They are easy to replicate compared to other things like frames/wheels/cranks etc...

The cost of tooling and volume needed usually makes serious counterfeiting impractical. That's not to say that someone doesn't fraudulently put a decent brand on whatever similar item they make, but you should be able to see that it's not anything like the original.

The more common type of counterfeiting is what I prefer to call "back door" product. This comes off the same production line at the same factory where the branded item is made. It might be a reject, it might be employee theft, or it might be excess production using the same molds and tooling, though not necessarilly the same quality controls.

This kind of back door product is very common in China, though becoming less common in Taiwan, where they're more diligent about preventing it.

Then there's a third category. Excess production and cancelled, or refused orders. These are unloaded to outlets at steep discounts, sometimes in the original branded packaging, sometimes unbranded.

If you buy from unreliable sources, you might be getting a legitimate bargain, stolen goods, or rejects. It's a case of "you pays your money, and you takes your chances". If you know what to look for and can judge the quality of the product without depending on the brand, you're better qualified to take care of yourself.

If it's made in "Chekoslovenia" then it is fake........China? then you should be generally OK!......

Chombi