Aliexpress non-counterfeit tale. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: phil from seattle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2022, 10:09:46 pm
content: So, I've been burned in the past by Chinese vendors from Aliexpress, eBay and others. I have a product that uses a MagJack for Ethernet and all my USA suppliers were out of stock with long lead times quoted. Reluctantly, I looked to see what I could find on AliExpress. There were quite a few claiming stock of the exact part number, correct photos but the prices were really low - like %30 of the US disti volume prices. Despite the pricing red flag, I took a flier and bought 25. Figuring if I had to toss them, no real damage.They arrived surprisingly quickly - a bit less than 2 weeks (they said 4). The parts looked indistinguishable from the genuine ones down to the mold marks. I built up a test board with it and it worked just fine. Performance tests gave same results as a genuine part. So, pretty sure it is a genuine part (or a crazy good counterfeit - Occam's Razor says not, though). I'm kind of blown away by this. Happy ending. Ordered a couple hundred to stock up.I still council extreme caution when buying from China but sometimes it's worth a chance.

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2022, 12:19:22 am
content: QuoteHop its not the ole bate n switch routine,sell you the good stuff first to fool you then when the big order arrives send out the cheap copy's

author: mon2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2022, 01:54:33 pm
content: Are you in search of a quality manufacturer of such RJ45 connectors (with / without magnetics) ?Can post some contact details of vendors we have used and met with at past trade fairs in HK. Aliexpress is convenient for small qty and are mostly run by mom & pop owners which serves a purpose for the low volume market.

author: phil from seattle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2022, 05:25:36 pm
content: Sure anything is possible but there is a good chance they are still working from the same stock. We will see.Part number is RB1-1258AG1A. 100 MB, no poe. Pretty plain vanilla. From Chinese vendor the cost is ~$0.80 USD ea including shipping and tax. US Distis have them back in stock but prices are up quite a bit, Q100 is ~2.50 USD ea. not including shipping/tax. It was < $2Q100 6 months ago.

author: phil from seattle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2022, 05:35:13 pm
content: Quote from: mon2 on March 20, 2022, 01:54:33 pmThanks but this design is done - I won't be switching. My run rate is about 1K a year.I will be updating the design in a few months so may change the MagJack. I have one I like which allows vertical insertion - a plus in my market segment but given this significantly cheaper source, I will probably stay with the current one. Though, the aliexpress source could dry up tomorrow so anything is possible. I may hit you up for contacts - appreciate the offer.

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2022, 09:32:10 pm
content: Quote from: phil from seattle on March 19, 2022, 10:09:46 pmSimilar experience with some obscure RF transformers, some Minicircuits mixers and also a rather obscure Stellent NCO chip.I've had good luck with AliExpress, better than ebay but I suspect the returns/refund would be an absolute PITA if not impossible.,

author: Zipdox
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2022, 12:09:34 pm
content: It really depends on the nature of the products you're buying whether you'll get the real thing. With passive components, generally you're safe. But semiconductors are more risky.