Is my Lian-Li counterfeit?

[Helical]

Hey guys. Read a post here once rumoring counterfeit Lian Li cases. And now I'm concerned... I just today received a PC-82D (and the "D" part confuses me) with a clear side window from a reseller for a rather good price. However, I've found several discrepancies between the case I received and other PC-82's I've seen reviewed and in CrapUSA. The first major differences is the lack of a removable motherboard tray; there is actually NO WAY to get any part of the tray out of the case! It's fully riveted in on all sides to the case and to the 5 1/4" drive housings - I've checked it at least five times after thinking "that can't be right, you gotta be able to remove it..." No way. Second, the LED/power/switch headers that connect the front of the motherboard to the case do not have the detachable connector that acts as a middle-man between the case and the motherboard. Huge disappointment, as those two features were what ultimately sold me on the case. (Not to mention it is SO sexy... <drool>)

There are other small differences as well. All the other PC-82's I've seen have gold hex-headed screws attaching the aluminum bezel around the drives on the front of the case; mine are silver. The PCI / AGP slot covers don't have thumbscrews. The right side-panel (not the clear one) doesn't have an indentation for your hand to remove it. There are two instead of four front USB headers. And (importantly) there is no logo on the bottom right front of the faceplate.

Otherwise, the case looks identical. It has Adda fans in it... toolwork on the aluminum is impeccable. Lots of screws and hardware included... is this "D" revision that I can't find anywhere else just a cheap-ass part? Or is it Better Business Bureau time? Thanks for any input...

 

[Derick]

E-mail Lian-Li and ask them about it and tell them where you bought it.

 

[Helical]

Yeah, I've already mailed Lian-Li. I'm hoping someone here has more knowledge about that model case...

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: Helical
Yeah, I've already mailed Lian-Li. I'm hoping someone here has more knowledge about that model case...

Sounds like a counterfeit

Your missing features list is the same list that makes my new PC-65 a Lian-Li

Chiz

 

[sparkyclarky]

I'd say counterfeit. Only the really low end Lian-Li's lack some of those features, but that list of differences goes on and on. You've sort of been had. I say sort of because you were at least smart enough to recognize that you got screwed. BTW, make sure to check the reseller ratings of the company you bought it from. Chances are, somebody else has had the same problem. Also, did the box it came in say Lian Li? It should have!

 

[JonElfson]

I could just be an older model. I remember looking for my case on the internet. I read reviews, some had 4 USB 1.1 ports some had 2 USB 2.0 ports, etc. I think your reseller could've just had that case in the back for awhile if it's lacking some of the newer things. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Helical]

Originally posted by: JonElfson
I could just be an older model. I remember looking for my case on the internet. I read reviews, some had 4 USB 1.1 ports some had 2 USB 2.0 ports, etc. I think your reseller could've just had that case in the back for awhile if it's lacking some of the newer things. Just my 2 cents.

Yes, that's true. It's possible that this is just a cheaper version but the thing I don't get is there would be negligable cost savings with the differences here compared to the expensive of stamping, tooling, materials, same fans, etc. It doesn't really make sense for Lian-Li to put this case out so stripped down (no way I'm paying $125 for this!!!) but it also doesn't make sense to counterfeit something so well.

Sparyky: It DID come in a Lian-Li box. And I bought it from AJump, whos resellerratings are pretty darn high. (8.5 lifetime, 9.3 6-month) Now I don't know if I should ship the thing back (I have a 72-hour window to refuse shipment kinda) or wait til I hear from Lian-Li or what... Grr...

 

[CubicZirconia]

Now I don't know if I should ship the thing back (I have a 72-hour window to refuse shipment kinda) or wait til I hear from Lian-Li or what... Grr...

If you don't hear from lian-li within the time window, definately send that thing back. Like you said, no reason to pay top dollar for a case that clearly isn't what you paid for. Even if it is an older model (must be reeeealy old), I still wouldn't take it. Good luck, you'll be happy when you finally work this out (I own a pc-65 and love it).

 

[CaptnKirk]

It appears that if you DO have a Lian-Li PC-82D, the "D" means a window.
These look like a model that may be out of production, with some slightly different configuration replacing it.

 

[Ness]

Does the website you bought it from have a description of the case?
-Does that description match what you have, or what other sites say it should have?
-Do they advertise it as having features that you did not get?
-Do the pictures match up with what you have?

Are there any markings on the case, or markings on any documentation that came with it?
-Look for a manufacture date. This may correspond with the fact that it would either have 2 USB 2.0, or the 4 1.1
-Look for marks of any other company. Even a knock-off corporation would leave some sort of symbol.
-Is there any contact information in which you can contact the person who made the case, and find out if they are LL or not?

You said the box was a LL box...
-Does it just say "Lian-Li" generically somewhere?
-Is there any reason to believe that it's not even a bona-fide box?
-Does the box have any markings like I asked about previously
-Does it have a SKU # that you could use to check on what product that is linked to?

What about the retailer?
-Could their ratings be fake?
-Try contacting them about it, saying what's going on. Tell them you have contacted LL too, and hope to find out what is going on.



Lastly, if there was a noticable price difference from other places that were selling this, you have to consider that if it's too good to be true, it probably isn't.

 

[Helical]

Holy cow, ness!

Originally posted by: ness1469
Does the website you bought it from have a description of the case?
-Does that description match what you have, or what other sites say it should have?
-Do they advertise it as having features that you did not get?
-Do the pictures match up with what you have?

Are there any markings on the case, or markings on any documentation that came with it?
-Look for a manufacture date. This may correspond with the fact that it would either have 2 USB 2.0, or the 4 1.1
-Look for marks of any other company. Even a knock-off corporation would leave some sort of symbol.
-Is there any contact information in which you can contact the person who made the case, and find out if they are LL or not?

You said the box was a LL box...
-Does it just say "Lian-Li" generically somewhere?
-Is there any reason to believe that it's not even a bona-fide box?
-Does the box have any markings like I asked about previously
-Does it have a SKU # that you could use to check on what product that is linked to?

What about the retailer?
-Could their ratings be fake?
-Try contacting them about it, saying what's going on. Tell them you have contacted LL too, and hope to find out what is going on.

Lastly, if there was a noticable price difference from other places that were selling this, you have to consider that if it's too good to be true, it probably isn't.[/quote]

OK, here's the scoop... You've led me to some very valuable information! I went and visited the proper PC-82 over at CrapUSA and they were definitely different in many (though small) ways. The box was different as well. So I checked out the box that mine shipped in (bearing the Lian-Li logo and all) and it also had an odd "AMAX" symbol in a diamond shape. Did some digging and it turns out that AMAX is a large-scale distributor AND an ISO-9002 (OEM) manufacturer with their version of this case shown here: link It clearly advertises this case as a PC-82 but does not come CLOSE to matching a proper PC-82's features!!! The case also does not match its own photos which show the motherboard tray as removable and having a interconnector between the case and motherboard headers, among other things.

So it looks like one of two things: AMAX is either manufacturing these POS falsely-advertised cases and making a killing on them or they are distributing counterfeit cases. Time for some email to both Lian-Li and AMAX. I really wish today was a Monday so that I could follow up on this via phone.

In terms of AJump, the reseller I ordered it from, it looks like I'm hosed. AJump's terms and conditions state that they "do not warrant that product descriptions or other content of this site is accurate, complete, reliable, current, or error-free." (!!!!!) "If a product itself is not as described, your sole remedy is to return it in unused condition..." with a 20% restocking fee and loss of shipping BOTH WAYS <rolls eyes> What a load of shite. So, technically, could they sell you what's described as a P4-2.8 for $385, ship you an Athlon XP 1500+, and get away with it?! At this point, I'm at a total loss as of what to do. I'm VERY tempted to buy a real one from CompUSA, chuck the one I got in the box and return it, claiming it didn't match the store model. To return this case properly, I'm losing $50.

But thank you, ness, for your concern and post!! It helped me start to get to the bottom of this.

 

[Ness]

first off, contact them and tell them that you have discrepencies with the product.
Tell them exactly what is wrong and tell them you aren't satisfied. No matter what you plan to do, do this.
This will make it so that your 3 day period of inspection isn't wasted. If you get to them before the 3 days is up, a claim will be filed and you will be okay to return for usually 30 days.
THIS WILL GIVE YOU SOME TIME TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO.

Also, talking with them may convince them to wave the restocking fee. If they DO have the correct product in stock, they are more likely to have you send that one back, and they will send out the new one (almost like an RMA)

Most companies go through great lengths to satisfy their customers, and oftentimes the customer gets bent out of shape before they realize this (not that you are getting bent out of shape, you are handling this quite professionally )

Anyway, if they refuse to waive the restock, I'd say screw 'em. Leave a negative rating explaining what happened on resellerratings to warn people. (sort of as revenge ) I don't know about you, but whenever I check references, I always read the negatives, and skim or skim over the positives. Even then, if you leave contact info for them, THEY might contact YOU and settle the matter in your favor. Don't count on it, but it may happen. Additionally, you might file a claim with the BBB, even though it's a bit pety, it will still inspire them to spare their image.

The problem is that this may take upwords of 2-3 weeks, and if you are in need of the case, then you'll be SOL until this is resolved.

If this is the situation, and you need to get moving with the case, you might as well try the CompUSA idea, as bad as it sounds. Don't tell them it was the wrong item though, otherwise they won't refund your money and you will end up with another case. Tell them you found one you liked more at another store. Don't mention ANYTHING about it being different. If it looks similar, they'll take it. I think CompUSA charges a 10% restocking fee, though. Although this sounds bad, it's cheaper than a 20% fee and paying shipping. Hopefully, they will shelve it as a discounted item and someone will pay a price that better fits the case, or they will ship it back to Li-Li and they will fix things from there.

Let us know if you need anymore help and let us know how things turn out :-D
Most importantly, be friendly to everyone that you talk to. It's a safe bet that it's not their fault. :-D

 

[mordrid52]

If the seller tries to screw you over and you paid by credit card, definately contact the credit card company. They might become a little more willing to work with you if they have a credit card company breathing down their neck.

 

[Helical]

Ness, all of your advice sounds good and was basically what I was planning on doing. I've already emailed Lian-Li about it and asked their help. AJump's getting a (nice) email as well and hopefully they can rectify the situation after I call them tomorrow. I'll update the thread as things work themselves out in case anyone else in the future gets in a similar bind.