Ordered a KMC chain from eBay and got a $2 AliExpress chain

[apple]

On further inspection of the listing after receiving the chain, I realize it says comparable to KMC, but not actually KMC. I don’t consider a $2 AliExpress bulk made chain to be comparable and don’t feel comfortable with it on my bike. I looked up the chain model and the AliExpress thing is what pops up.

No action needed, just supremely annoyed. I don’t consider the chains comparable, especially when I paid similar to KMC prices (there wasn’t a red flag like the chain was $10 or something, it was comparable to what I’ve paid on eBay for real KNC chains).

[tuscanyswe]

Well merchant places like this will have a lot of fake or crappy products esp aliexpress but also amazon etc.

[Veloo]

Are you referring to this ad?

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Premium-11-Speed-Chain-Comparable-to-KMC-X11SL-Road-MTB-Shimano-SRAM-Campy/124301648800?hash=item1cf0f4a3a0:g:EIwAAOSw-q5fGM5y

If so, that's deceptive IMO, even though they say "comparable".
The pics they use are not super high resolution but it does look like the chain in the pics have KMC stamped onto it.

[apple]

That's the one! I was comparing KMC chains and they all seemed about the same, this one was slightly cheaper, so purchased it.

[peanutgallery]

Just don't fall for the "olex" next time you buy a watch

That might be worth a drive by egging for the seller in Gainesville, FL

[charliedid]

Race to the bottom.

[Peter P.]

That's the one! I was comparing KMC chains and they all seemed about the same, this one was slightly cheaper, so purchased it.

It's the stingy man that pays the most.

No deception in that ad; caveat emptor.

[MikeD]

It says free shipping and returns, so send it back. The seller does indicate it's not genuine KMC, so you should have read the description more carefully.


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[apple]

It's the stingy man that pays the most.

No deception in that ad; caveat emptor.

We may just have to agree to disagree.

You're saying a $2 AliExpress chain is comparable to a KMC chain; you must be because you're saying there's no deception in an ad calling the two comparable. To me, and I think most people, that's like calling a "Premium" Huffy chain from Walmart comparable to a Dura Ace. Sure they may serve the same function, but there are fundamental differences in brand identity and presumably quality of manufacture. If I had received something with the same fitment from a reputable brand, I might agree with you.

I don't begrudge you thinking those things are all comparable, I just disagree with you, and that's okay.

[apple]

It says free shipping and returns, so send it back. The seller does indicate it's not genuine KMC, so you should have read the description more carefully.


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I'm annoyed that it's not a KMC, I should have read more carefully, but that's not my main concern. My main concern is that it advertises something comparable to a KMC chain and delivered a $2 AE chain. I do not consider those two things to be comparable. I contacted the seller and will return, just annoyed that I even have to is all.

[weiwentg]

It's the stingy man that pays the most.

No deception in that ad; caveat emptor.

I would disagree with the last. The ad is deceptive. It has a photo of a KMC chain. Now, you are right that the ad says “comparable” to KMC. But apart from the bit where it claims to be offering a “premium” chain, I wasn’t expecting a flood of knockoff chains on eBay. In retrospect, I’m not surprised. If I had read the ad, I think I would have caught this, but it is just deceptive enough that someone in a hurry who skimmed the ad would have been caught ... like the OP.

Sure, the seller can argue that on the face of things, the ad is truthful. If you have to make that argument, I think that’s a strike against you. Why not just say “(insert the real company name) chain, similar to KMC”?

[robt57]

I'd use it up, or put on a bike for sale


"With NEW KMC comparable chain

[unterhausen]

ebay is a cesspool now. I need two oil seals for my lathe, and the easiest place to get them is on ebay. The same vendor has "lot of 4" and "lot of 2" for the same price, i.e. they are going to sell you one. I almost fell for it. This issue seems really common nowadays, lead you to believe you are buying more than one item when you are getting one. And misleading about the brand as well. But I almost never buy bike parts from ebay. Unless it's some dropouts or lugs.

[homagesilkhope]

I'm annoyed that it's not a KMC, I should have read more carefully, but that's not my main concern. My main concern is that it advertises something comparable to a KMC chain and delivered a $2 AE chain. I do not consider those two things to be comparable. I contacted the seller and will return, just annoyed that I even have to is all.

apple, I feel your pain. But I'm left wondering both what a $2 AE chain is and what makes the chain that you received incomparable to a KMC X11SL chain. Details, please.

[el cheapo]

It's called...bait and switch. Happened to me on Ebay with a pair of gel gloves. Seller sent gloves without gel. When I called him on it he sent another free pair of non gel gloves to compensate. His explanation...made a mistake and never had gel gloves to begin with.

[many_styles]

Yup, that’s why I read the title and description carefully. I also filter item location to your home continent. For me, I filter North America only.

It may not be this case, but if the price is too good to be true, it probably is.

I also try and take a look at reviews, but I’m sure people are finding ways to work around that too.


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[apple]

apple, I feel your pain. But I'm left wondering both what a $2 AE chain is and what makes the chain that you received incomparable to a KMC X11SL chain. Details, please.

Ooh fair enough, I looked up the chain's stamped serial number on Google once I received the chain. It brings up results on AliExpress.com, which is basically Amazon in China but for mostly cheap items in bulk. If you ever wanted 1000 carbon Chinese bicycle frames or 10000 iphone cases for half a cent each to resell, AliExpress is your place. Nothing wrong with that in particular, but the quality is often super dodgy because most items come from nonspecialist manufacturers in China who are focused less on quality and more on quantity as they make their money through volume.

In this case, the chain came up on the site as approximately a $2 chain, which leads me to believe that the ebay seller simply ordered a large amount of the from AliExpress, labeled them as "similar/comparable to KMC" and is selling them. Fine business model, I guess, buy low sell high and all that, but the pricing and source of the chain from AliExpress leads me to believe it's not comparable in quality to a KMC and I don't want to risk breakage of my chain (and possibly front teeth) as I'm putting down a lot of torque climbing a mountain or something.

People here have a lot of mental issues riding Chinese carbon wheels and bars, same thing. To say, here I'm going to spend less and take a risk on a Dengfu MTB frame https://www.dengfubike.com/collections/carbon-bike-frame is one thing, but if one were to purchase a MTB frame "comparable to a Specialized Epic" and they received a Dongfu (as opposed to a Trek, Cannondale, etc.), I would not say that's comparable. Maybe I'm being unreasonable.

[apple]

Yup, that’s why I read the title and description carefully. I also filter item location to your home continent. For me, I filter North America only.

It may not be this case, but if the price is too good to be true, it probably is.

I also try and take a look at reviews, but I’m sure people are finding ways to work around that too.


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Yeah, I should have been more careful. I was swapping between several of the same chain from different sellers, all stateside (including this one, it arrived in just a few days) and all priced at a pretty normal price (i.e. not too good to be true). I've purchased KMC chains for years on ebay in the $30-50 range, depending on sales, etc. I definitely should have read more carefully.

[DeBike]

The title of the OP is deceptive. It was not a KMC chain that was ordered. As for being comparable; it is a bike chain, it is made from links. In my opinion, all ads and marketing could be considered deceptive. As always, Caveat Emptor

[oldpotatoe]

I'm annoyed that it's not a KMC, I should have read more carefully, but that's not my main concern. My main concern is that it advertises something comparable to a KMC chain and delivered a $2 AE chain. I do not consider those two things to be comparable. I contacted the seller and will return, just annoyed that I even have to is all.

False statements and advertising? I'm shocked...:)
Just send it back and buy name brand stuff next time..but you know that.

LBS no have chains? Consumables and easier to 'return'...