Author Topic: KBDFans Allegedly Selling Fake Tealios (Read 7334 times)

_haru · « **on:** Thu, 02 May 2019, 23:01:11 »

So Zeal posted this to r/mk a little while ago: https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/bk1tyc/psa_fake_tealios_fake_zeal_stabilizers_possibly/?st=jv7bb218&sh=e63f3c4d

Looks like it's true

mkkeyboardvigilante · « **Reply #1 on:** Thu, 02 May 2019, 23:16:53 »

I bought something from that site for the first time a few days ago, and I would have never expected this to happen. What a shame. :/

tex_live_utility · « **Reply #2 on:** Thu, 02 May 2019, 23:38:53 »

Quote from: _haru on Thu, 02 May 2019, 23:01:11

Looks like it's true

Eh. There is more to be learned here. Let's keep the pitchforks and torches away for now.

HotRoderX · « **Reply #3 on:** Thu, 02 May 2019, 23:49:51 »

This is very sad and kinda curiously timed. I know in discord Wei said like 2 maybe 3 months ago they were having issues at the warehouse. That he was sending some extra help over to get it straightened up. Makes me wonder if thats about the time Zeal contacted KBDfan's. Regardless of if Wei knew or now. As the boss man its his job to make sure things like this don't happen. He is ultimately accountable for what his workers do. Common since would say they ran out of 12k switches long ago. I also argue that someone has most likely voiced concerns about the switches at some point before now. I think either way it be pretty obvious to him that there might be a issue.

That being said I really don't think it was him directly trying to scam people. I got a feeling that it might have been gateron. One thing that has been bothering me is the holy panda's. Massdrop own's the rights to the halo switch. There no debating that input club gave them the rights to it. How could other "Holy Panda" switches exist or even panda clones. This makes me wonder if perhaps Gateron is the ones doing shady things behind everyone's back.

Sup · « **Reply #4 on:** Fri, 03 May 2019, 03:03:19 »

I want to know the stories of both parties. Because Zeal is also getting a bit hypocrite if that is the right word. He claims that the Epbt stabilizers are also stolen clones from his stabilizers. But they never claimed it to be Zeals. Also Zeal stabs are a clone of the original cherry stabs

TeacherGeek · « **Reply #5 on:** Fri, 03 May 2019, 03:20:59 »

I have never bought from kbdfans but was wanting to. If this is true then I can't trust anything they sell.

Leslieann · « **Reply #6 on:** Fri, 03 May 2019, 04:03:28 »

Almost all of it is just mixing and matching pre-existing parts, most of which are based on open source or expired patents.

As for Gateron being shady...
There are no patents in China which is where KBDfans and Gateron is located, a US patent only limits them from selling in the US, nothing more and unless you have an exclusivity agreement your product will be white labeled and offered to others just as soon as you walk out the door, this is how China works.

Sup · « **Reply #7 on:** Fri, 03 May 2019, 05:22:14 »

Quote from: TeacherGeek on Fri, 03 May 2019, 03:20:59

I have never bought from kbdfans but was wanting to. If this is true then I can't trust anything they sell.

Good luck finding good products for nice prices.

fer.real · « **Reply #8 on:** Fri, 03 May 2019, 06:09:04 »

Wei posted a response on reddit:
https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/bk6mvz/apologize_to_everyone/

It looks like he made a mistake and is willing to compensate people for it. I'm still behind KBDfans.

LevelSteam · « **Reply #9 on:** Fri, 03 May 2019, 09:04:02 »

Quote from: TeacherGeek on Fri, 03 May 2019, 03:20:59

I have never bought from kbdfans but was wanting to. If this is true then I can't trust anything they sell.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I've bought a pretty substantial amount of stuff from them without any issues, although I usually source my switches and stabs from Zeal, Massdrop, or WASD keyboards out of convenience.

Actually I just placed an order with them this morning for more components too.

networkdrift · « **Reply #10 on:** Fri, 03 May 2019, 11:08:50 »

Super disappointed to hear this.

Could have been a mistake?

TeacherGeek · « **Reply #11 on:** Fri, 03 May 2019, 16:38:05 »

Quote from: Sup on Fri, 03 May 2019, 05:22:14

Quote from: TeacherGeek on Fri, 03 May 2019, 03:20:59
I have never bought from kbdfans but was wanting to. If this is true then I can't trust anything they sell.

Good luck finding good products for nice prices.

That's just my personal values even if I am short on money.

TeacherGeek · « **Reply #12 on:** Fri, 03 May 2019, 16:40:52 »

Quote from: LevelSteam on Fri, 03 May 2019, 09:04:02

Quote from: TeacherGeek on Fri, 03 May 2019, 03:20:59
I have never bought from kbdfans but was wanting to. If this is true then I can't trust anything they sell.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I've bought a pretty substantial amount of stuff from them without any issues, although I usually source my switches and stabs from Zeal, Massdrop, or WASD keyboards out of convenience.

Actually I just placed an order with them this morning for more components too.

Well it looks like he has apologised and made a good fist of it. This is heartening.

whinmeister · « **Reply #13 on:** Fri, 03 May 2019, 18:08:25 »

I'm just starting out with the hobby and actually just purchased a TADA68 last week from KBDfans. With that being said, I think it's great to see the response and that they're even willing to refund customers for purchases made from May 2018 to current.

TeacherGeek · « **Reply #14 on:** Fri, 03 May 2019, 20:46:52 »

Interesting to read what others have to say on the reddit. KBDfans although have admitted fault, they had to have known they were selling fakes just by the way Zeal does business.

1) they only make switches to order, so they know exactly where the switches are
2) retailers are not allowed sell to other retailers
3) How can Zeal products be cheaper than the source. If you think so, would you not contact Zeal and ask for explanation or at least price match?

However, he is refunding people and letting them keep the fake switches which is admirable.

Rob27shred · « **Reply #15 on:** Fri, 03 May 2019, 21:21:49 »

While this situation is disheartening for sure, I'm with the others that are saying let's not run to straight to the pitchfork emporium on this one. While it is true that KBDfans bought & sold counterfeited Tealios/Zealios Wei has provided a fairly believable apology & is offering to refund anybody who bought those switches from May 1st 2018 up until the last few days full refunds for them. Also his reputation as an upstanding vendor in the community up until this incident has to count for something.

Don't get me wrong I'm not saying let's flat out forgive & forget, but I think waiting until we find out more of what really happened before we go villainizing anybody would be best course of action here. Yes the situation sucks (I got bunk 78g Zealios from them on May 2nd of last year. The feel of them always bothered me compared to ones I got directly from Zeal, but I chalked it up to them being from different rds. until hearing of this), but if Wei comes through with refunding everyone for the counterfeit switches & nothing else shady pops up about his or KBDfans dealings this could be as Wei is claiming it to be a stupid mistake. I personally hope that is the case since I really felt KBDfans was a very positive force in the community allowing many newcomers get their feet wet with very decent boards at very reasonable prices & it would suck to see that go down the drain IMHO.

Zeal · « **Reply #16 on:** Sat, 04 May 2019, 05:05:05 »

Unfortunately fake V1 Zealios have also been circulating after a few customers have PM'd us their Zealios purchased from KBDfans. Same glossy PCB mount leg rings, Zeal stem pole is the wrong shape / longer, and other small details.

Sintpinty · « **Reply #17 on:** Sat, 04 May 2019, 18:52:37 »

This has been the talk. They posted a former apology and some people have the nerve to think that fake tealios and zealios are better than the real one

TeacherGeek · « **Reply #18 on:** Sat, 04 May 2019, 19:07:59 »

Apparently there is suppose to be an announcement by Gateron today? Does anyone know anything?

nelamvr6 · « **Reply #19 on:** Sat, 04 May 2019, 19:50:20 »

Quote from: Sintpinty on Sat, 04 May 2019, 18:52:37

This has been the talk. They posted a former apology and some people have the nerve to think that fake tealios and zealios are better than the real one

That's really unfortunate. I had heard about the Tealios being faked, I thought I was safe having bought Zealios. I guess now I'll have to take him up on his offer of a full refund.

deetits · « **Reply #20 on:** Tue, 15 September 2020, 02:09:11 »

So i just saw this, and I had ordered Tealios from KBDFans just yesterday.
Has anyone bought Tealios from them recently and confirm this matter of fakes was resolved completely last year?

Sup · « **Reply #21 on:** Tue, 15 September 2020, 03:06:20 »

Quote from: deetits on Tue, 15 September 2020, 02:09:11

So i just saw this, and I had ordered Tealios from KBDFans just yesterday.
Has anyone bought Tealios from them recently and confirm this matter of fakes was resolved completely last year?

Issue is resolved.

treeleaf64 · « **Reply #22 on:** Fri, 18 September 2020, 15:54:50 »

Yes issue is resolved don't worry about it

News:

Author Topic: KBDFans Allegedly Selling Fake Tealios (Read 7334 times)