This is a growing problem with everything from cable to Rolex watches - the old "buyer beware" adage is more than ever applicable. The difficult thing is that these counterfeiters have refined the process to the point of being nearly impossible to detect unless you happen to be a subject matter expert. In my industry, the influx of counterfeit telecommunications product is overwhelming - especially with cable.

I have used MSD products and generally like them. Buying from first tier suppliers is another level of protection as most of the Chinese knock-offs tend to show up on e-bay and Craig's list. I helped a young man not long ago with a distributor problem - he had bought a no-name "billet" HEI unit on-line for $69 that at first glance looked pretty good. He couldn't get it to seat and it's just as well he didn't as it was absolute junk, collar was too large and the gear looked like it was made of some kind or pot metal. I happened to have a used "genuine GM". New cap and rotor and he was down the road. Of course, he couldn't return the junk and his Visa had long since been charged.

Gotta be on the lookout all the time!