Fake Sandisk Ultra II CF cards on eBay (pics)

I thought this would be the most appropriate section of the forum for this... just wanted to warn everybody that there are a high number of counterfeit Sandisk Ultra II CF cards on eBay. I purchased 3 such 2GB cards recently, to go with my new digital SLR camera. While they all work fine and are the right capacity, I did some investigating anyway to try and confirm their legitimacy, and I concluded that all 3 cards were fake (all bought from different sellers).

My break came when I received 2 of the cards on the same day (1 had arrived a couple weeks earlier). I noticed that the packages had a different finish on them, and after investigating them a bit closer, I noticed a couple of other small differences as well. The model numbers were slightly different, and the barcodes differed by 1 number. Those were my first clues. Next I checked the cards themselves. 2 of the cards had no edge stamp whatsoever, and the third card had an edge stamp with a serial number that is known to be used on counterfeit cards. Next I decided I need to test the speed on each. My references were Rob Galbraith's database on camera write speeds using different CF cards, as well as my standard Sandisk 1gb, which I had purchased from a local retailer and know is legitimate. My testing method was to shoot in full manual, with the camera in rapid fire mode, and timed how long it took to write a full buffer to the card. My camera is a Canon EOS 20d. Timing started when I pressed the shutter release, and ended when the CF light on the camera went out. The 3 cards were fairly close, about 17 seconds. Referencing the speeds (which I can't remember, but were terribly slow) to Rob Galbraith's database (http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/mul...?cid=6007-7303), told me that the cards were way off. I did the same test with my standard Sandisk 1GB and it finished in approx 13-14 seconds. Functionally the cards were fine, and they were the correct capacity. I did however, have a problem where some pictures would come out extremely noisy and I couldn't figure out why. I now believe it was a product of the poor quality CF card.

I then decided to go to my local store and purchase a legitimate Sandisk Ultra II 2GB CF card. I got home and again did the same test. It took about 11 seconds to complete. It also had an edge stamp with a unique serial number, as well as completely different packaging from the cards that I received from eBay. There were other subtle differences on the cards as well, but the edge stamp was a big one.

Anyway, to sum things up, I've contacted each seller for a refund, which each of them has offered. I have done some research, and found that these are common counterfeit cards (2GB seems to be the most common, I don't recall seeing any other sizes). In each case where they have been discovered, the sellers are always willing to accept the cards back without a hassle. I suspect they are knowingly selling this cards and don't want to hesitate on return requests in order to keep people quiet.

I just wanted to post this to make everybody aware of the problem, and make sure nobody gets taken. I do hope to get my money back on all 3 cards, but it is a huge inconvenience regardless. And next time you see a seemingly great deal, beware, things aren't always as they seem

well, i guess i shouldn't look on ebay for a cheap 2gb cf card for my axim then huh.....

Hah! They got all the stickers on crooked on the fake ones Thanks for the warning, it's useful knowledge even if our camera uses Memory Sticks.

LOL, I didn't even notice the crooked sticker until now.

There are also fake memory sticks out there as well, I saw a page on them a while back.

I almost bought my Ultra II SD card from eBay when I saw how cheap they were but ended up getting a good deal through Dell. I never would have even thought to check if they were counterfeit.. this is a good eye opener.

If the card works difference does it make?

What I find interesting is that the fake card has two additional patent numbers on it. Someone should search the patent office and find out if they are for the card or for something else.

Originally Posted by ktingle

If the card works difference does it make?

1) He's not getting what he paid for, as the counterfeit cards are indeed slower.
2) The principle of it.

I got a fake 2gb Sony pro duo and i imagine counterfeiting flash cards is gonna be pretty common place.

Ironicaly though. My fake 2 gig is quicker to transfer to thatn my legit sony 1gig model.

Originally Posted by Nick P

I almost bought my Ultra II SD card from eBay when I saw how cheap they were but ended up getting a good deal through Dell. I never would have even thought to check if they were counterfeit.. this is a good eye opener.

Ditto got mine on Dell for my 350D

I bought a 512MB SanDisk Ultra II Compact Flash on eBay, and it looks to be legit, except the side stamp says a buncha numbers then China. Everything else looks to be like your legit one.

Thanks for posting this!

Originally Posted by ktingle

If the card works difference does it make?

Like Korruption mentioned, the speed is 1 thing, and the reliablity is another.... how can I trust a card of unknown quality to store important pictures?

It's not just the Sandisk CF cards that are getting counterfeited. It's others too including Memory Sticks, SD cards, Flash drives, etc.

Someone said that if it works, then what's the problem? The problem is that these counterfeit cards do not have any warranty if they stop working and they will. Go and see if Sandisk will offer warranty on a counterfeit Sandisk CF card.


http://martybugs.net/articles/fakesandisk.cgi
http://members.shaw.ca/fakesandisk/

Bottomline, don't buy any high capacity flash memory products off eBay.

Originally Posted by placeboFx

What I find interesting is that the fake card has two additional patent numbers on it. Someone should search the patent office and find out if they are for the card or for something else.

It is a Sundisk patent.
I wonder why they changed their name from sundisk to sandisk?

You haven't said who the seller was. Why protect them, it's not likely that they don't know the cards are fake- and they'll just sell them again.

Originally Posted by yevaud

You haven't said who the seller was. Why protect them, it's not likely that they don't know the cards are fake- and they'll just sell them again.

Just do a search on eBay for Sandisk 2GB Compact Flash, 99% of the sellers would be selling counterfeit cards.

I haven't posted the sellers names because:

a) I think it is irrelevant, every other seller will be selling counterfeit cards also. Just don't buy flash memory off eBay, period

b) They have not denied me a refund yet. Until such time that they won't return my money, I will assume that their supplier gave them the fraudulent cards. Innocent until proven guilty. If they don't give me a refund soon, then I will post their names

Originally Posted by WCES Ryan

b) They have not denied me a refund yet. Until such time that they won't return my money, I will assume that their supplier gave them the fraudulent cards. Innocent until proven guilty. If they don't give me a refund soon, then I will post their names

good point.

I bought a Sandisk Ultra II CF 1GB on eBay last week. Its front and back view look identically to your legitimate card ( except 1GB vs 2GB of course ) but the side view doesn't. There is no so-called "edge stamp" and hence, no serial number. Also on the package, the model number is printed as "SDCEH-1024-904" instead of the correct one "SDCFH-1024-901". After googling a litte bit, I was confident that it is a counterfeit. Sent an email to the seller about my discovery last night. He quickly refunded my money this morning in full and asked me to return the card so he can "return it to his supplier". It seems we can't trust these Sandisk's high capacity Ultra II cards on eBay. By the way, he is a power seller with nearly one thousand feedback, 99.9% of them are positive !!!

Originally Posted by WCES Ryan

LOL, I didn't even notice the crooked sticker until now.

There are also fake memory sticks out there as well, I saw a page on them a while back.

That explains the super cheap memory 2GB sticks floating around ebay.

post the name of the ebay seller so that we can avoid his auctions...


what's worse is that the sellers probably charge $20 first class shipping on a card that weighs an ounce.