HIGHENDTFS.COM - G1 Counterfeit ID Guides

Remember that counterfeit Dial and Saur that just came out? Well, two pairs just sold on Yahoo Japan for $720 each:

http://page8.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/h157732018

http://page7.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/g108315361

If you have friends in Japan, please spread the word these knockoffs are out there. It's really unfortunate when collectors get conned like this. Again, here's the ID guide for telling the difference between the fakes and the real ones:

http://highendtfs.com/?q=node/57

Check it out here:

http://highendtfs.com/?q=node/57

Counterfeit Blitzwing is out, including packaging. Astrotrain is coming soon.

ID guides already up here:
Astrotrain counterfeit ID guide
Blitzwing counterfeit ID guide

Here's a quick summary of recent counterfeit TF news:

A few new counterfeits were released recently, and a few more are on the way.

Currently out:

* Blitzwing (no box yet / only available loose)
* Bluestreak (no box yet / only available loose)
* Blue Slag (Diaclone version)
* Red Slag (red face?)
* Blue Swoop(Diaclone version)
* Gold Wing Swoop

Coming out soon:

* Computron
* Abominus<

Buyer beware!

There are blue and white versions of the counterfeit Bumblebee coming out.

Two real white versions exist: Ehobby Bugbite and white Mexican Bumblebee. Bugbite has a Cartoon Bumblebee head and Mexican Bumblebee had a read red faceplate. In contrast, the counterfeit has a silver faceplate and an original toy Bumblebee head. So that's one easy way to tell the difference out of package.

The counterfeit blue Bumblebee appears to be based on the rare Mexican variant. One major difference is that the counterfeit has a rub sign chest sticker, but the original has a normal chest sticker.

Pics of counterfeits:
http://www.kotoys.com/kotoys.php?id=1333&cat=G1+KO&name=G2+Blue+Bumblebe...

Pics of white and blue Mexican Bumblebee:
http://www.tf-1.com/articles/mini/whitemexbee/wmbcomp1.jpg
Source: http://www.tf-1.com/articles/mini/whitemexbee_template.html

Yep, finally got around to adding in all the missing ID guides. I've added:

* Octane
* Springer
* Defensor
* Red Alert
* Sideswipe
* Menasor
* Superion
* Carded Constructicons

If I've missed anything, let me know, but I believe the guide now covers all counterfeits released to date.

Just did some cleanup on the Counterfeit ID Guide, updating it with the most current list of counterfeits and reorganizing it alphabetically. It should be a little easier to use now. Check it out in the links up top.

TFW has a story about how someone in China (Ebay user girltf) created and sold a fake AFA G1 Sludge. The main article is a bit fear-mongering-ish, but the thread that originated it is very, very interesting:

http://www.tfw2005.com/boards/transformers-ebay/306323-dinobot-sludge-af...

My understanding is that this is a KO Sludge put inside of a legit box, tape unsealed. The item is fairly convincing, but as tfwers observed, the acrylic box's edges are rough and the glue has a lot more air bubbles than normal.

I like this advice from one user: "As others have stated, do your research, get plenty of pictures, contact AFA, and ask advice from some veteran members here. Most scammers are pretty well known in the community."

Here are my thoughts, which I also posted in the thread:

(CLICK "READ MORE" BELOW TO READ THE REST OF THIS NEWS POST)

I've been out of the loop for a while, so I haven't put up ID guides for these more recent counterfeits:

Defensor
Octane
Springer
Shockwave
Carded Constructicons
Sideswipe
Red Alert
Sunstreaker

Any ID tips would be appreciated. Pictures would also be great--even if you have just the original or just the counterfeit. I'll try to get cracking on these soon.