Fake VFFs and Dubious Sellers - Post Your Questions and Warnings Here

[gb]

hm.. hard to tell from the picture!   Perhaps after you receive the shoes, post some pictures; I am sure some of us should be able to spot if they look legit.

yes, it's so sad that the majority of the postings on ebay are fakes now.  I wonder if Vibram is doing anything about it.  I've gotten reports back from eBay saying only the patent/copyright holders can file official complaints about violations...

i did contact a few US sellers to let them know that they are selling fakes.  (well, just giving them the benefit of the doubt, and also raising awareness..)    Most deny it, of course, saying that their source vouches for authenticity.  However, one eBay seller, who bought hers online initially too, felt so bad after I sent her Justin's blog post that she actually took her listing off:

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I did
look them up and all the vibram logo's are yellow.
I've cancelled the listing and informed the person
who was bidding. I thought they were original
because of the razor cuts on the bottom. I
wouldn't want someone to get hurt because the
shoes didn't perform as they were suppose to.
Thanks, XXX

[Jeepman]

I was trying to confirm my suspicions and found that the original black KSOs do actually have a black top logo (at least the newer ones):
http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/products/products_KSO_m.cfm (hover over black model to see).

You are wrong. That is a photo shop error on the picture. Somebody over looked that before it got uploaded to the web sight. All those shoes are the same other than the color. They just use photo shop to change the colors. The yellow logo is part of Vibram's brand and trade mark. Companies do NOT go around changing their brand image. It is a very serious thing. A company lives and dies by its brand.

[Bango Skank]

Somebody over looked that before it got uploaded to the web sight.

I'm not sure we should trust the word of someone who would make such a terrible pun.  

[Bango Skank]

Yeah, all the stock photos of the black KSO's (old or new) have the Vibram stitching blacked out on top.  It's just a misrepresentation.

[gb]

interesting point (photoshop error!)   Indeed, all the black KSO's I've seen have yellow logo.  In fact, my boyfriend blacked it out himself with a magic marker. 

[jtfdzn]

Can anyone verify this seller/product as genuine?  I'm looking into buying my first pair and know nothing about them: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=180497076051&Category=63850&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D1

Thanks!

[balsam0]

Can anyone verify this seller/product as genuine?  I'm looking into buying my first pair and know nothing about them: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=180497076051&Category=63850&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D1

Thanks!

Not a known Sprint color and the logo is white.  I say fake.

[Decirium]

Can anyone verify this seller/product as genuine?  I'm looking into buying my first pair and know nothing about them: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=180497076051&Category=63850&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D1

Thanks!

Definite fake without question - all inners for sprints seem to be yellow and carry on up the heel in yellow, the upper looks wrong (not fabric style look), can't see a logo where the strap closes.  Colour has also been mentioned plus I'm not sure but comparing actual Vibram pics since I don't own Sprints, the wash instructions don't show where they do in that pic on ebay as they do on the vibram official sites.

[gb]

authentically FAKE! 

eBay made us took out the "warning, buyers beware posts"  I guess it violated their rules of "not actually selling anything", but how about selling counterfeits but marketing them as real?!    Doesn't seem like eBay is doing much about it; eBay at UK specifically told me only the proper copyright holder can complain..

[hfoster]

Can someone tell me if these are really fake?  I just bought them...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vibram-FiveFingers-KSO-black-grey-Size40-41-42-43-44-45-/220594456033?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_Men_s_Shoes&hash=item335c7445e1#ht_3629wt_1167

[hinogi]

Can someone tell me if these are really fake?  I just bought them...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vibram-FiveFingers-KSO-black-grey-Size40-41-42-43-44-45-/220594456033?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_Men_s_Shoes&hash=item335c7445e1#ht_3629wt_1167

As you can see below they are fake

[hfoster]

if you look at the strap though, its black and not grey like its supposed to be.  also, the 'vibram' logo on the side looks to me to be embroidered, not rubber like the real ones.  finally, the sticker on the box is white, not brown like it should be.   also, the stitching on the yellow tab on the inside of the heel is not the same as real ones...

is that right or do these variations actually happen by the manufacturer?

[dirkverelst]

pretty sure they are bogus from the pictures, and the description reads: 'sizes 40-45', which has become a red flag on its own
Sorry...
...moreover the seller's in China! Didn't know they had the new models replicated

[hinogi]

if you look at the strap though, its black and not grey like its supposed to be.  also, the 'vibram' logo on the side looks to me to be embroidered, not rubber like the real ones.  finally, the sticker on the box is white, not brown like it should be.   also, the stitching on the yellow tab on the inside of the heel is not the same as real ones...

is that right or do these variations actually happen by the manufacturer?

I also notice the material around the ankle area ought to be higher and tighter for the KSO.

[Mojo Yugen]

These fall under the "too good to be true" category.  Since no legitimate store can keep these in stock you have to just assume that they are either knock-offs, stolen, factory seconds, ghost-shifts or a combination of the above.