On the Pattaya news topic there's a thread about TukCom resellers offering fake mobile phones.

I know that fake mobiles are on offer and in most cases it's obvious if an iPhone is offered for THB 6000, then it might not be genuine.

Somewhat 20 years ago a Nokia came from Finland, an Ericsson from Sweden and a Sony from Japan.

A "Made in China" sticker implied a copy.

Nowadays, a lot of the original stuff is produced in China.

How do I know whether a mobile phone (or any other piece of eqp) is genuine?

dam_n.......sorry mods. Can you move this topic?

I can

In some cases at least it's pretty obvious if you've ever seen or handled the original.

I think all these cheap promotion days in Tuk.Com sell fakes as 2 times my wife has been there to get something which has been at a good discount price and both times come away with nothing after the shop admitted it was a fake.

Well, obviously when you see a blackberry "storm" at 2000 baht, it's a fake.

But the best way if you're not sure is to simply ask "original or copy?".

80% of the fake phones uses all the same software,

only by this you should see the difference,for example the internet browser,you can find the internetexplorer sign,but when you use it you will notice that it really has nothing to do whit internet explorer.

try to use wifi and navigate,copy ones will always be slow.

Also the menu's in fake phones aren't easy to understand in one time,try to change the ringtone and you'll discover that the software is not the same as an original nokia.

i had a copy n97 and a original 97,and you should know the difference in the first time you turn it on and see the menu.

but copy phones are cheap,and not so bad if you want to use it for making calls,it will work fine.

If it's a Blackcurrant, Ipple, THC, Nockia or Samsong then the odds are it's a fake. Simple.

Have you considered buying from the official suppliers shop?

If it's a Blackcurrant, Ipple, THC, Nockia or Samsong then the odds are it's a fake. Simple.

In the US and Europe you may (rarely) see those slightly changed names, but here the knock offs usually carry the original brand names, so that won't help you. The copy phones are generally poor quality, both the physical phone and the software, and just being aware of the possibility of a fake should make it very easy to notice.

Anyway, since this is a mobile phone issue more than a Pattaya issue, let's move it to the mobile phone forum.

Just get some qualified advice about the product you want to buy:

"This iPhone, very good!".

"How much memory does it have?"

"Yes, iPhone, same same, very good!"

These are the shops you don't want to buy anything of value.

To address the OPs question:

1) Check out the build (hardware) quality. If you have ever

owned a phone from that manufacturer before you will know.

Bring a friend if you are not sure.

2) If you have the slightest doubt, insist that the phone be

turned on (make sure to bring a SIM with some credit) and

try the phone. Pay attention to the menus and English

spelling & grammar. Sometimes it's really funny ....

3) If it's to god to be true ... it's not. You won't be able to buy

a new iPhone for 4000 baht, no matter what the sales drone

promises.

4) Repeatedly ask the the sales guy if it is an original. Ask

for serial number, pretend you look it up on an other mobile

device.

Some time ago, when buying a replacement case for a N97,

it was obvious that the sales drone was trying to sell me a

copy, even though I specifically asked for an original. He

would continually tell me it is original Nokia. So I took all

(small) parts out of the plastic (with his permission) and

inspected them very carefully ...

Than I continued to point out how badly they where made

and did not fit/match originals. So he finally said "is is just

as good as original", at which point I confirmed "so, this is

a copy ?". Of course he had to confirm or loose face. At

that time I laughed in his face and left him with all those

tiny parts all over his counter ....

I always try to make sure that the sales people understand

that it is not OK to lie to me. And if they do, I never give them

any biz at all. I try to walk by their shop as often as possible,

with big bags full of crap I buy from other shops and smile

at them, holding up my bags.

Cheers,

[email protected]

check siamphone.com where you can find rather actual price. You might negotiate a bit or find a promotion, but that site is a good guideline.

.........

Than I continued to point out how badly they where made

and did not fit/match originals. So he finally said "is is just

as good as original", at which point I confirmed "so, this is

a copy ?". Of course he had to confirm or loose face. At

that time I laughed in his face and left him with all those

tiny parts all over his counter ....

I always try to make sure that the sales people understand

that it is not OK to lie to me. And if they do, I never give them

any biz at all. I try to walk by their shop as often as possible,

with big bags full of crap I buy from other shops and smile

at them, holding up my bags.

.......

I like to give the smirk look also when it is an obvious lie. but some people disagree with that method:

Maybe a better site to find the real price

smartmobile.co.th

An easy way to spot a fake is to look at the user manual. If the manual is non-existent, doesn't apply, or has a bunch of typos. Then most likely it's a fake.