Tour Issue R9 TP FCT Sleeve?

Ok, an interesting post. I'll have some fun before I sleep.

So...I have seen some interesting stuff going on at ebay of late. I launched my 2 for 1 offer, more and more sellers, competitors (especially those selling fakes) got 'hurt'. Some had to go to the desperate extent to claim that they also bought for me, and found out that my sleeves were identical to theirs. They then went on to assure their sellers that they should buy from them, since mine were also 'fake' like theirs. LOL!

My answer to this? Nothing... here's the thing - I know some of these sellers on ebay got cheated too. I kind of pity them. I know 1 guy, he is a powerseller with 100% feedback, he got scammed by someone who claimed can supply him Genuine sleeves (TP) at a very low price (1/3 of the price I am getting). When I knew about this, I was not convinced that the TP sleeves he were getting were genuine. There is no way it could be so cheap. I warned him....still, he went ahead to buy. He bought a load of them at once! So what happens? He got a load of fakes which he had to get rid of...and I mean, fast!

So that is why when I see sellers trying to 'protect' their ass...sometimes to the extent of framing me...I try to close an eye. I give them the benefit of doubt. I try to think that they might have been ripped off too, and are trying hard to get rid of their load.

Don't get me wrong, I am not endorsing sellers selling fakes on ebay....I would appreciate some integrity. I have seen some sellers now honestly saying that their's are OEM...and I appreciate it. Even the remark from one seller/competitor about my 'sleeves being fake' was removed. I really appreciate that. To be honest, I did not do anything at all. I knew what people were saying on ebay, but I kept quiet. I did not even confront the seller who gave such remarks. Which adds to my belief that humans are of good nature afterall. :)

By the way, I have been witholding information. About 2 weeks ago, I played golf with a Taylormade guy. He told me that now, fake sleeves are made to look like real. He gave me an 'insider secret' - the ONE and ONLY way to tell an authentic sleeve from a fake. So I knew this piece of information for 2 weeks, and I have not written about it on my blog...:)

Ok, I've been lazy! There's so much I keep telling myself I have to do, but I have not done so. I wanted to post pictures of the new R9 prototype, and that was like...since 3 weeks ago! Haha! Horrible me! Okok, I promise....the insider secret to spotting genuine sleeves + pics of new R9 prototype will be up within the next 3 days, ok?? Promise!

*PS...BTW, once I post the insider secret to spotting genuine sleeves, I'd probably knock-out all ebay sellers/competitors. (Am I making more enemies?)

So....a joke before I actually turn in for some rest.

I saw this ebay auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/TaylorMade-Tour-Issue-R9-TP-Sleeve_W0QQitemZ110419450180QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGolf_Clubmaking_Products_US?hash=item19b5831944&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ht_500wt_1182

Ebay Number: 110419450180

The seller says its a tour issue R9 FCT TP sleeve. Haha!

I don't even need to take a second look and can tell that its fake (color, teeth lines + wordings)...what more, he claims its TOUR ISSUE? Sounds like fun!

Heres his auction pic:

Here's a real tour issue FCT sleeve guys:

Tour Issue FCT sleeve will have N or NU or R underlined...depending on what special tour setting the sleeve has been made to do.

Yes, again I have been withholding information....I have had these sleeves as early as April, but I have been quiet about it. My idea was that, since I can't sell it, I'd rather not talk about it. :)

Oh well, its different now...now I see people selling a fake sleeve on ebay as tour issue, I'd need to speak up...in case there are people who would pay a lot of $$$ for it! I don't wanna see people get burnt.

To make things clear, I have tour issue sleeves but I can't sell them. I have less than 5pcs and I am not allowed to sell them. If I have extra, I would sell them....so if you read this blog regularly, you may get lucky! haha

Good night!

More fake FCT sleeves on eBay spotted (especially TP .335)

There are more and more fake FCT sleeves selling on ebay. Especially the TP .335

Well, people know what are valuable and will also produce whatever that makes a profit. What I wrote previously on how to spot a genuine FCT sleeve from a replica may not be applicable today, as many of these fakes have now been very well produced.

Take for an example, fakes now have what we call the 'production numbers' engraved below the sleeves. Fakes are also now grey in color (the shaft sleeve) instead of red (initial fakes very red = very fake).

Here are some newer updated techniques:

(Please click on each picture for an enlarged and clearer view)

The part where you insert the shaft should be

MATT GREY. Fakes used to be red...

they are getting smarter now by making it

in grey too....

but fakes are usually in SHINY GREY.

Authentic sleeves go through a special process

which makes the sleeves MATT rather than shiny.

ALL FCT sleeves should have these 2 dots below

if they are genuine. The 2 dots must match up according to the NU and L position respectively

Especially for TP sleeves, where there are so

many fakes around! Be careful...look out for

this small detail!

The TP logo - there should be a gap in

between the T and P. Its a small gap but can

still be captured on camera.

A lot of those I see on ebay DO NOT have

the correct TP logo

My favourite! The BEST way to spot a fake:

The horizontal lines on the teeth of the FCT

sleeves are what makes your FCT a genuine!

FCT = Flight Control Technology.

This is what helps make your club change its

lie angle, loft and face angle! The lines on the teeth

is produced only by a special knife which cuts the

FCT sleeve by machine during production.

You can't see the lines on the teeth for copy sleeves,

because they do not have the correct knife/machinery

to achieve this result. Buying a bogus sleeve means you

merely have have a socket to hold your shaft to your

clubhead, as simple as that. That's all, period.

You do not benefit from the FCT technology and the

adjustability of the R9 technology!

The body of genuine screw bolts should be darker,

with a shade of black.

Pictured on the left is a fake screw, on the right is a genuine.

A fake screw sticks to a magnet as its made of stainless steel.

A genuine screw does not stick to a magnet.

Some possible fakes:

1. Teeth of the sleeves are clearly fake. No horizontal lines.

Also,I noticed the .350 he used to sell comes with

the circular rubber washer!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Latest Updates (Updated 5th Nov 2009)

1) Seller: dbsdnjsqo

The rubber washer being rounded is a dead giveaway

From this angle, you can see that these are straight bore sleeves with no adjustibility.

The screw is fake, it is too long. Look at my picture below:

(click to enlarge)

Numbers should not really be engraved in white

2) Seller: Tgenovese

(click to enlarge picture)

Well its pretty obvious....he has stated in his description that his

are straight bore sleeves, not genuine.

This is a nice seller, a very nice person. Well, he does not know

that I know him but yeah, I know he's a good man....I sound like a

stalker now, LOL

3) Seller: thl-pro-shop

No comments really....picture is so small

4) Seller: Brandnamegolfequipment

This picture is also a bit too small to tell, but I think the screw

looks odd...also, teeth looks too 'polished'....

but then again, its a picture that is not close up, tough call

Somehow this china guy cracks me up. Read his item description....

.the english makes me laugh, and below.......he made a very pissing

comment. He seem to think that someone gave him a negative

feedback on purpose and at the end, is he hinting that its

'iheartburner' aka me??

I don't know....if he meant it as getting the heart 'burnt' (hurt) or

was he referring to me, as in he thinks I sabotaged him?

Am I getting sensitive?

I don't know.....Well for the record, ITS NOT ME....

I did not give him the negative and I would not do such things. I believe

in karma...besides, I have a good reputation already on ebay,

I need not resort to such means. DUH!

Well he may mean it as a word heartburn or whatever,

I don't know. I seriously dont understand his English....

just look at his description, LOL

Guess I should not take it too personally

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The above posts are based on my honest opinion for open sharing.

I have no intention to harm anyone's 'reputation'

by discussing their items on this blog.

Something to blog about...(ok, seriously, something to bitch about, haha :P )

Ok, so I just listed some Taylormade Rescue TP hybrid FCT sleeves on ebay and then there was this guy, who sent me a totally self-absorbed message on ebay:

Dear iheartburner,

Go to Taylormadegolf.com...look at the specs...it says R9 Hybrid TP tip size .355 and the TP sleeves say TP just like the one in your other auction...perhaps you should have your supplier add this feature to the product...lastly, I called Taylormade direct as I was looking for the sleeves so I could try different shafts...I was told that they do not sell the sleeves seperate...not even the head pro at my club could get one...so it's no surprise that you say you are out of the country...LOL....you can fool some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time! Sooner or later, TM will find you no matter how or where you hide.

- tour-van-golf-equipment

Ok, so here's the thing:

- He says that R9 hybrid TP tip size is .355. Well, the R9 hybrid TP comes in several shaft options dude. Some are ,355 and some are .370

No matter what tip size the shaft is, it still fits into this Rescue FCT sleeve with has an opening of .370 in size. Get ya facts right!

- He says the TP Rescue FCT sleeve should have the word TP printed on it! Haha! Oh, and he self-righteously told me that 'I should have my supplier add this feature to my product' Ahhahahah! What, he thinks I am printing and producing my own FCT sleeves? Get outta here! This made me laugh til my stomach hurt! I bet he does not even own a TP Rescue Hybrid. The sleeves DO NOT have the word TP printed on it. Only the word 'Rescue' is printed on it. I have sold more than 80pcs of Rescue FCT sleeves off ebay. If there was a problem, my ass would have been kicked by now. Fancy people shooting their mouths off when they have not even seen the real thing. ARGH!!!!

- Ok, so he called Taylormade and found out that Taylormade do not officially sell these FCT sleeves. Not even his head pro can get it! Haha. So, he assumes that everything is FAKE! Hello?! So if your shaft broke and you bring it back to Taylormade, does it mean they can't replace you your shaft on a new FCT sleeve? Dude, with all due respect, sometimes is about getting the right contacts to get what you want. My friend works with the Taylormade concept store in Singapore that does offical repair works for all Taylormade clubs brought in under warrenty. What have you to say about that? Yes, Taylormade do not officially sell these sleeves off the retail market, but that does not mean that genuine sleeves are nowhere to be found! Its about having the contacts. What you can't get does not mean what I can't get dude.

- Oh and the last part, 'TM will come and get you no matter where you hide'! What, does he think I ran all the way to Singapore to hide? Get a life, I am Singaporean, what are you racist? Or everything bought outside of US is fake?

Oh well, just something for me to bitch about and get it off my chest. Like how I replied this guy, I receive 2 to 3 emails a day from my buyers thanking me because they found me as a source to buy GENUINE sleeves at a reasonable price. They all say they bought sleeves from US sellers on ebay, only to find that its fake. Some emails I have posted on my blog, can be seen here.

Just 5 mins ago I have also received another message on ebay like this:

Dear iheartburner,

I am looking to buy a .335 sleeve but I only need one. You came recommended to me from a friend. He said you sold authenic tips, and ive already bought a fake one so I need one ASAP.

Thanks
Dave

Well, this is what I told that guy who sent me that self-absorbed message on ebay (tour-van-golf-equipment). I receive 2 to 3 emails a day from people THANKING me, I have people discussing about me on golfwrx (positive feedback), so I don't think I should be too worried after reading his email because I believe in what I am selling and what I am offering to the ebay community. He can choose to doubt, so be it, because we all have the freedom of choice. However, show some respect and get your facts right before you start acting like you are 'all that'.

I think I handled it well. I maintained my stand and yet remained respectful in my approach.

Funny thing is, I noticed he bought a matrix shaft that comes with a FCT sleeve on ebay. The link is here. Has it ever crossed his mind that the seller of that shaft might have bought the FCT sleeve off me or from anyone else selling FCT sleeves on ebay? Oh since he believes all FCT sleeves sold are fake, why is he contradicting himself by making a purchase on ebay? Uh-oh! Hahahaahah

Oh well, enough of bitching. I spoke my mind and that's it - case closed.

I can't convince the world, but I am thankful and appreciative that I have a group of friends whom I have met on ebay that believes in me. Thank You for your support. Seriously, the support of you guys is the strength that keeps me going!

Have a blessed day!

Oh, please feel free to comment!

Fake R9 FCT sleeves

Today, I got an email from a buyer.

It wrote:

"I got tricked and bought a fake on ebay Item number: 280340165463. Everything looked the same except no number on the tip and the font was different. The washer, both paint colors and inside look the same. I could take pictures if you wanted to add to your page."

Another email from a recent customer who has been buying FCT sleeves from me regularly ever since, he's a clubmaker in the US:

"I just want to give you a little detailed feedback! Your product is absolutely perfect. The Real Taylormade sleeves you are selling are bored off center and that is how you can rotate the shafts position and get the different loft, lie, open and closed Face angles. All the American sellers I purchased from are basically selling aftermarket junk, I purchased sleeves from 3 sellers on ebay and they are bored straight (plum) and it will not allow any of the features when you rotate the shafts position. This totally defeats the purpose of having a R9 since you will not be able to change anything. . The funny thing is since they all have good feedback, the buyers must have no idea about this detail and it is so important and easy to notice. Once again thanks!"

Just thought I'd share.

Apparently I should charge for providing pictures

So I was just doing a random google search on Google for ''Mizuno MP 68"

To my amazement, when I opened a few links to some golf reviews on several blogs, I saw the pictures I took.....yeah, and these people are blogging away like its their own 'Spy photos'. What the?!

Couple days back someone approached me for a couple of pictures on the irons without watermark and on a different background - so that it can be clearer. I obliged, and look what happens.

I'm not trying to be selfish. I'd gladly share good stuff, but I think credit should be respectfully due.

Well on the bright side, at least I know I have good photography skills because those pictures are amazing. Also for once - I have the 1st hand juice on something new! Makes me more happy than angry actually.

Something so cute!

Heehee, check out what I got today....so cute!!!

Its a Nike Shoe designed golf ball holder! Exclusive for the Japanese market only!

A very cute accessory to add to the bag, it can hold up to 2 golf balls.

Its a gift from someone, I got 1 in yellow and another in pink! YEAH! I love the innovation of the Japanese mind! What can they not come up with?

Ok, just came back from the dentist. Have loads of emails to respond to. Tata!

Pre-Released: New Taylormade R9 460cc with MWT!!!

This is exciting! Who would have thought that Taylormade will be introducing another R9 into the family yet again?....so soon? In 2009, we have had the R9, the R9 460, the R9 MAX, and now, R9 460 with MWT!

Release date: Unknown...Sept 09?

This is similar to the 1st R9, except that it's 460cc! You can see from the head profile that this new R9 has a more triangular shape, whereas the 1st R9 was more rounded.

The R9 460 now comes with no Moveable Weights, with this new R9, we get the best of both worlds - it's like combining the R9 with the R9 460. You get a R9 that's 460cc, big in size, ultimate forgiveness, maximum MOI, with 3 moveable weights! Of course, not forgetting the FCT technology which makes the R9 so unique!

Taylormade Golf is hitting the jackpot with this one!

This head is to be given to an Asian Tour player and it's not for sale.

It is confirmed that this is to be launched for Taylormade Japan. Still unsure if this will hit the US/Europe market.

For pre-orders, please email me.

Bingo on this one!

Pre-Released: Mizuno MX300 irons

These are the new Mizuno MX300 irons!

Pre-released, some players on the Japanese Tour are already putting this into their bags.

They are really soft cavity back forged irons, very forgiving.

Release date is not set yet but I am guessing around Aug/Sept (around the same time MP68 blades will be released)

I do not have any sets available on hand for sale now.

Email me and I'll keep you informed once I do.

Loving Mizuno!

Pre-Released: Mizuno MP68 irons

So, good looking blades right? The new Mizuno MP-68 blade irons. Thought I'd share it with you guys. I actually have them for over 3 weeks, but was really busy and could not find time to post it up.

Release date is unknown yet. Most probably sometime in Aug/Sept 2009.

It will be available for US, European and Asian retail markets.

These irons are pre-released tour prototype from the Japanese Tour.

This is just a sneak-peek for you guys to know what's coming. I'm not allowed to sell this set.

If you're interested, drop me an email and I'll be sure to keep you updated once I have any sets available for sale.

Twitter Rocks!

So recently, there's this buzz about Twitter, and I thought its just another 'thing', like Facebook/Friendster/MySpace or what not.

I thought I'd never use Twitter, I thought it'd be lame....

So on Saturday, I was just at the computer reading up on Twitter. I wanted to know what is this new phenomenon about that's taking the world by storm. As I read on, I was intrigued. I decided to create a Twitter account.

It all started. I saw the 'tweets' and updates of the people I'm following, and I also realize that once I update my own tweets, the rest of my followers will be able to read them too! OMG, how cool is that?

YES, so now, I am a believer and a big fan of twitter. What I used to think was lame in the past, I think of it as a brilliant innovation now that keeps people connected - no matter which part of the world you may be.

I am just waiting for the day mobile updates can be supported in Singapore. For now, I'd just have to reply on web tweets.

If you have not signed up for Twitter yet, I'd encourage you to do so.

I'd be tweeting all my new stuff and updates available, so please follow me on Twitter!

(click on the link below to follow me on Twitter. If you do not have a Twitter account, you'd be prompted to register for an account at no charge)

By TwitterIcon.com

Just to vent!!! I feel discriminated

Just to vent it out:

Growing up, I have been told many times how lucky and blessed I must feel being a Singaporean. We have a strong government, no coruption, a strong economy (one of the strongest in south east asia), a beautiful country thats clean and green, a cosmopolitan environment where business opportunities with the world are abundant, and also, Singapore is a country that faces no danger of natural calamities (earthquake, flood, volcano etc).

However, when dealing with golf products, I feel that being a Singaporean is to my disadvantage.

Many people feel that anything coming from Asia are fakes.

Just today, I have had 2 email enquiries:

1) "I am being told to be very careful of overseas sellers as the  Taylormade R9's are fake. They say R9 coming from China and Singapore are fake/replica's. Is yours fake? "

2) "Hi, I notice you are from Singapore, is your FCT sleeve a replica?"

Ok, as a seller I know that these are common questions to answer, especially with the amount of fakes around. However, you can see that both emails point out to the fact that sellers in Singapore are selling fake stuff. This feels like a sweeping statement to me. Its like saying that all Muslims are terrorists!

First, for anyone of you who do not know, Singapore is a very strict country. Even throwing a piece of paper on the ground, will see you charged a minimum of $500 fine and a week's worth of corrective work order (you will basically collect litters around Singapore for a week, wearing a stupid looking vest). Piracy is a big crime. Singapore is not like China, Thailand or any other asian countries where you can find people selling pirated DVDs, fake Gucci or fake Rolex on the streets openly. Anyone who has been to Singapore will know what I mean. Intellectual Property and Copyright Infringement is taken very seriously here.

Many people never even heard of Singapore. They realize its in Asia and immediately jump to conclusion that everything coming from here is fake. You need to know that the Asian Tour is one of the up and coming tour, do not discount that just because its 'Asian'. Look at the Indian players - Jeeve Milkah Singh, Jyoti Randhawa.....the Korean K.J Choi etc. Authentic golf equipment and legit tour issued stuff can be obtained if a person has the right contacts. Please do not assume that everything coming from Singapore is fake, that's so shallow! My own cousin works on tour, so I know my stuff well. It really is quite insulting to get such emails at times. Although I understand that it is only right for buyers to be concerned and to be extra careful, maybe its the way they phrase the question that pissed me off. I get other emails enquiring about authenticity and I have no issues with replying them, I guess its the same respect we should show each other between a buyer and a seller.

Many people think that only buying with the US will guarantee that the item is authentic. That is also very shallow thinking. Look at it this way:- a US seller can buy from a replica wholesaler in China and then sell the goods within the States. Just because the buyer has a lame mentality that US sellers are safe, he convinces himself that what he is buying is authentic!

Some people question my price.  They feel that $250 - $300 is too cheap for a tour issued head. All thanks to eBay, where Tour Issued stuff are sold at crazy prices like $800....

People think that cheap = fake.

You see, I am a very reasonable person. My main profession is a headhunter. Selling golf clubs = not my main source of income. I sell golf clubs as a passion, because I love golf. I am not out here to make a profit and ripoff other people by selling at high margins. You know, I have been supplying to some ebay sellers in the States for almost a year now. Lets say I sell it to them at $250 per club, they sell it for $800. People will still buy from them over me. Why? 1) They are from the States so they believe its definately authentic. 2) Its expensive so its definately authentic.

What many people do not know is that those clubs are the exact same thing supplied by me. Just because the person lives in the States, the price goes up 400%! 

Some people will choose to pay $800 over $250 just because the person is based in USA. Its ok. I would be happy too. I need my buyers to sell well, so that they in turn buy more from me. Either way, if you buy from me direct, or from my sellers from the States...it still benefits me in the end.

Why am I writing this then? Well, maybe because I just need to vent it out. I have had 2 people insulting me and my Nationality today.....so in case I sound like a crazy woman, I apologize. I guess I see this a s a place to let it off my chest.

 

Important Updates on R9 FCT Sleeves

Hi everyone,

Hope all is well with you. I've been busy lately, having to travel quite frequently to Malaysia....at least twice a week - for business (my headhunting business).....I still managed to ship orders quickly on time though, haha! Service at its best!

Just to let you guys know, that officially, Taylormade has stopped producing the FCT sleeves. 

That means that soon, AUTHENTIC FCT sleeves would be almost impossible to find.

There are LOTS of replica sleeves on eBay now, some are so good that it's almost impossible to tell. Some are so bad that you can't even insert it into the R9 head properly, haha!

So, what I have on hand now (less than 100pcs) would be the final batch that I can get.

According to my sources in Taylormade Singapore, Taylormade are considering doing new FCT sleeves, because the current FCT sleeves gets loose easilly during play. This could be just a rumour as nothing is confirmed yet.

What I know for sure, is that production for the FCT sleeves has stopped. So if you want them, get it fast. What you see on eBay after the next 2-3 months, be extra careful.

With love

Diane

R9 Sleeves - TP .335 available again!

Thank you guys for your patience, the TP .335 sleeves are now available again!

*Hooray!

Also available: .370 Rescue Hybrid Sleeves - will be putting this up soon

Please note that the FCT sleeves I am selling can also fit the R9 460 driver head, it is basically the same sleeves.

These sleeves can also fit the R9 MAX, although not highly recommended. The R9 MAX has its own special sleeve that allows adjustments in 1.5 degrees unlike that R9 or R9 460 driver. If any of you are looking out for the R9 MAX sleeves, please contact me, as I only have a handful of them

Take care!