Kingston 16GB Memory Sticks - huge problem?

[howardb]

An update and reply from Kingston:

They requested detailed pictures of the sticks, and subsequently advised that there were no laser markings on the metal portion of the USB connector - this is called the BOM number. The interior of the stick was also confirmed as not 16GB - the max capacity of the memory chip was 256MB, with some tech wizardry making it look like a 16GB stick.

Thank you for the detailed information.

After having investigated the item described by you, we can confirm that the product is a counterfeit and so you should contact your point of purchase for a refund. If you do not receive a favourable response you should consider filing a claim with your Credit Card Company or PayPal, depending on your method of payment and the protection offered on your purchase.

You will understand that Kingston Technology with its reputation as a provider of superior quality and service, takes the issue of counterfeit products very seriously. We would ask you therefore to assist us in our attempt to stop rogue traders selling counterfeit Kingston products. We would therefore greatly appreciate if you could provide us with any information relevant to your purchase, such as:

When and where you purchased the product whether you have an address of the company /reseller (an eBay ID) that supplied you with the product whether you have any shipping document or invoice papers how the product was advertised whether the reseller is offering more parts for sale or auction

We assure you that the fact that you have provided us with this information will be treated in the strictest confidence

Waiting for your kind reply, I would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation.

 

[Gaz{M}]

I guess that's not an 8G samsung chip then either!

 

[ponder]

I recently purchased eleven Kingston 16GB memory sticks from 2 different sellers, sealed retail.

Who are the sellers? If we know then others won't step into the same trap.

 

[SanchoP]

Yes, please post where you bought those sticks.

 

[howardb]

These were purchased from two different verified sellers on Bid or Buy, both with good ratings and both dealt with previously. I personally have not come across any retailers or resellers yet, but a friend of mine obtained a Kingston 32GB stick from a known PC shop somewhere in Durban (can't recall the name offhand) - this had similar packaging and turned out to be fake too.

A few of us are looking into the sellers advertising these items on various sites, and Kingston has been notified of all listings that we've come across so far, that have similar products listed.

The unfortunate thing is that many of these sellers are genuine, but have obtained stock from sources unknown at this stage - as is human instinct, if there is a bargain, someone will buy it, however, these did not seem to be at bargain prices - they were pretty much in line with the going reseller pricing, and looked genuine.

I suppose the only thing that can really be done is to be extra-careful when buying things like this.

 

[howardb]

Update on the Reference and BOM numbers laser-etched onto the metal USB connector.

If your Kingston flash stick doesn't have the following laser-etched BOM and Reference numbers on the metal part of the USB connector, then it's probably (99%) fake - get a refund asap

Detail:

 

[Sackboy]

Sorry to bring up an oldish thread.

I've just seen a Kingston Data Traveller 101 (in yellow and in blue) with a capacity of 128GIG.

I'm told these are only available in black in the Datatraveller 200 range (black only).

Cash Converters had it for R1299, so that's a lot of cash to spend on a fake, if it is one.

 

[TheRift]

I guess that's what happens when you see a special on bidorbuy.

I picked up a 16GB today. Was around R340. Colleague walks past and sees it and asks how much. So I tell him. He giggles... "nah, rip off, got mine for R250 from a dude there where I stay".

He hasn't used it yet.

As for the chips on these things looking legit; alot of used electronics gets dumped in China where they carefully pick off working ICs, and sometimes ICs get new screenprinting on them labelling them as another item in the same package format. You'll find a legit manufacturer design a product and then go through a cost-cutting exercise where'll they'll probably wind up finding one of these dodgey IC reseller from China.

PS: sorry... didn't check date on the thread.

 

[TheRift]

Sorry to bring up an oldish thread.

I've just seen a Kingston Data Traveller 101 (in yellow and in blue) with a capacity of 128GIG.

I'm told these are only available in black in the Datatraveller 200 range (black only).

Cash Converters had it for R1299, so that's a lot of cash to spend on a fake, if it is one.

I would rather go through a legit reseller. I've scored some nice equipment from cash crusaders and cash converters, but some can be dodgey.

 

[ponder]

I would rather go through a legit reseller. I've scored some nice equipment from cash crusaders and cash converters, but some can be dodgey.

Best would be to take a laptop with to test the stuff I suppose.

 

[TheRift]

Indeed it would, but they're sealed packs and no-one is going to let you rip packs open until you are happy.

 

[howardb]

True - I learnt my lesson and only buy from reputable wholesalers, resellers or retailers now... and I'm extra-cautious when it comes to memory sticks.

 

[ponder]

Indeed it would, but they're sealed packs and no-one is going to let you rip packs open until you are happy.

I did not know they sold new stuff in sealed packaging

 

[Griffin]

Damn,... fell for this too.... and all because I was thinking brand.
Chinese writing should have given it away...

Called Kingston's distributor to tell them companies are distributing fake products... answer was: "It's your loss if you buy fake products. You should only buy geniune." Err... .yeah, because I always enjoy buying fake products, simply so I can have the words Kingston carved onto my memory stick... :erm:

Another way to spot the fake out there... or at least on my 16Gb datatraveler I noticed something wrong when I looked at the words DataTraveler... if you look very closely, it looks like the words were stuck together: "DataTr" and "aveler" ... you might notice a small perforation in between these words.

A final test, boot up your PC with the USB memory stick, your BIOS should show Kingston Datatraveler as an USB disk. Also the Hardware ID in our Device Manager should also show this.

Good luck!

 

[D4N]

Bought a fake Sony Pro-Duo 4GB Memory Stick a few years ago. It was unbelievable how well they replicated the original product including packaging and even a "genuine" hologram sticker. There are guides on ebay (free) on how to spot fake memory products.