How to Spot Fake Allen-Bradley Parts on eBay
2025 Buyer's Guide
TL;DR: Many “new” Allen-Bradley parts sold on eBay are misrepresented. Sellers often lie about their location, hide serial numbers, and list refurbished or counterfeit parts as new. This guide shows you how to spot them.
eBay Is Full of Fake "New" & Counterfeit Allen-Bradley Parts
Choosing a PLC, HMI, or servo drive advertised as "new" on eBay feels safer than buying used and should reduce downtime risk. However, many sellers exploit that trust for extra profit.
The consequences? You could end up overpaying by thousands, facing unexpected reliability and quality issues, dealing with warranty rejections, and the frustration (and embarrassment) of discovering you bought a fake.
At NJT Automation, we've purchased thousands of parts on ebay and see this all too often. Below are the most common red flags we encounter. Plus some simple, effective checks you can do as soon as the package arrives.
Table of Contents
Overseas sellers pretending to be based in the USA
One of the most common deceptive practices on eBay involves sellers who list their location as somewhere in the United States but actually ship from China or Hong Kong. These items are almost always counterfeit or misrepresented products. This practice violates eBay's Item Location Policy, which requires sellers to accurately state where items will be shipped from.
This image highlights a common eBay scam where overseas sellers (typically in China) falsely claim to be based in the United States, often using phrases like:
- "US STOCK 🇺🇸"
- "Fast Free Shipping"
- "UPS/DHL/USPS"
- "US Free Tax"
These listings appear to offer "brand new" factory-sealed Allen-Bradley PLC modules for around $94–$95 (far below market price) and prominently show American flags and domestic shipping claims. These show up everywhere and even after you filter by location USA only. But in reality:
- The items often ship from China or Hong Kong despite saying "US stock."
- The products are typically counterfeit in some form or another.
- Sellers violate eBay's Item Location Policy by misleading buyers about where the item ships from.
- The serial numbers are often removed or obscured.
Why Sellers Mislabel Used Items as "New" (Including U.S.-Based Sellers)
- Premium pricing - Industrial buyers will pay 50% to 200% more for parts listed as New or New Old Stock (NOS). No one on a plant floor wants to be responsible when a used part they bought on eBay fails.
- Low oversight - eBay's catalog is massive. Miscategorized automation hardware rarely triggers automated takedowns - sellers get away with it at scale.
- Short seller lifespans - Suspended sellers can create a new account in minutes, especially from overseas.
Buyers can't tell the difference - A nice refurb or lightly used item can look so good it's hard to tell it is not new.
What Makes a Fake?
Rockwell Automation's official counterfeit advisory defines counterfeit products as any Allen-Bradley trademarked products that contain non-factory original elements advertised as "new". Unfortunately, many resellers still cross that line.
- A complete reproduction is hard - Creating convincing Allen-Bradley replicas is expensive and technically challenging. These items involve proprietary chips and high engineering costs.
- Putting a Used Item in a New Box Is Easy - Used-surplus items are far more common than true new-old stock. Machines get upgraded, decommissioned, or replaced leaving behind cheap spare parts. Clean them up, put them in a new box, and it's thousands in profit per unit.
- Hybrid Fakes (50/50) - These parts blend genuine internal components with aftermarket exteriors. It's common to see used circuit boards inside brand-new plastic cases, bezels, or overlays. These aren't traditional refurbishments done transparently by professionals - they're often sloppy mixes of salvaged internals and cheap replacement housings sold as if new.
- Full Knock-offs (100% Fake) - These do exist always from China. They're typically low-cost knock-offs with minimal engineering or have operational issues. U.S. sellers rarely list these unless they're unaware of what they're selling.
Takeaway: Creating a true 1:1 clone is costly and complex, so most counterfeits you'll encounter are actually used or hybrid units misrepresented as new.
Fakes Are Hard to Spot
The most convincing fakes often combine genuine internal components with aftermarket housings, making them functionally identical to authentic parts while still technically being "fake." Without disassembly or detailed inspection, these hybrid parts can be nearly impossible to distinguish from factory originals.
Top Red Flags
| # | Red Flag | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Low-feedback Chinese seller "based in the USA." Tracking shows Shenzhen or HK; serials scraped off. | Violates eBay's Item Location Policy and often signals counterfeit goods. |
| 2 | Endless "New Without Box" inventory. | Likely pull-outs cleaned with solvent. Zoom in on feet, screws, and date codes. |
| 3 | Home-made labels on semi-original looking box. | Counterfeiters copy labels but rarely match OEM cardboard or ink. |
| 4 | Aftermarket overlays / keypads already installed. | Not original = not new. |
| 5 | Stock photos, few angles. | Real dealers show all sides and data plates. |
| 6 | Too-good-to-be-true pricing. | Listed as new but priced ~20% above used to bait buyers. |
NJT Automation Tips
- If any aftermarket components (overlays, bezels, plastics) are installed, it is not new.
- Even genuine NOS may be a decades old. Electrolytic capacitors dry out, backlights fade, gaskets harden, and plastics get brittle.
- A well-executed and accurately listed refurb is often safer and more reliable for half the price.
Missing Serial Numbers
Many "new" automation parts on eBay have their serial plates blurred, scratched off, or stickered over.
Why They Remove the Serial Number
| Reason | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| Hide stolen or diverted unit | Serial-less parts can't be traced; liability exposure. |
| Item under contract | Rockwell restricts resale by OEM customers. |
| Reuse serial across fakes | One good tag copied 100×; no verifiable lineage. |
| Prevent fraud or identity theft | Scammers can use serial numbers to file false warranty claims or counterfeit that exact item. |
| Avoid direct manufacturer scrutiny | Gray-market but genuine parts may trigger manufacturer complaints if serial is publicized. |
| Protect OEM customer relationships | Parts acquired under internal-use-only agreements; hiding serial avoids tracing the relationship. |
Bottom line: If the serial number is missing or tampered with, treat the item as suspect. For critical spares, request a clear photo of the plate or buy from a refurbisher with traceability and warranty.
Your Due-Diligence Checklist
Before Purchasing:
- Check location & handling time: 3-day+ handling often means drop-shipping. There is no reason for a seller to not be able to ship the part the same day. View the seller's profile to see their location.
- Look for real photos: Good sellers will show multiple angles and use pictures of the actual part.
- Verify seller history: Check feedback ratings, especially for negative reviews about product authenticity, location, or condition. One or two negatives can show a lot about the seller. Just like Amazon, eBay has faked reviews.
- Compare pricing: If the price is significantly lower for "new" condition than more trusted sellers, it's likely too good to be true.
- Read the description and title carefully: Look for terms like "USA SHIP", "Sealed Goods", "GENUINE PRODUCT", "100% Tested", "100% Quality Approval", "USA SELLER", "Free Tax", "1PC New" and "US Stock". These are mostly lies.
- Check return policy: Reputable sellers offer clear return policies and stand behind their products.
Once You Receive Product:
- Check runtime: hidden diagnostics on many HMIs / VFDs. (note this can also be reset like the odometer on a used car)
- Power-on tests: dim backlights, worn labels, faded screens.
- Look for visual signs of wear: Mounting points typically show when an item has been installed. Plastics fade in color.
- Escalate early: use eBay Money-Back Guarantee within 30 days.
🛠 Not sure if your part is legit?
Send us a photo - we've inspected thousands and can spot rework or fraud in seconds.
Get in touch →When "Used" or "Refurbished" Is Actually Safer
A professionally refurbished drive, HMI, or controller:
- Is cleaned, opened, and re-capped where needed.
- Includes full testing and often a 1-year warranty.
- Costs less than NOS but performs better than 10-year-old stock.
At NJT Automation, we proactively replace known failure points. Every unit is fully tested, restored, and shipped with a warranty. Alternatively, you can send in your own unit for repair and refurbishment.
Bottom Line
Buying automation parts on eBay doesn't have to be a gamble - but assume every "New" listing is guilty until proven innocent - it'll save you time, money, and downtime. Vet the seller. Scrutinize photos. Check runtime the moment it arrives.
When in doubt, choose a transparent refurb from a specialist who still answers the phone after the sale.
Questions
What Really Happens When You Buy from a "U.S.-Based" Chinese Seller
3+ weeks of silence while your order sits in customs - or never ships at all. You receive a tracking number that never updates. If it does ship, it might come directly from China or get routed through a U.S. forwarding address to appear domestic.
- Wrong or random worthless item arrives - They don't keep accurate inventory and show 10+ in stock of everything just to get as many sales orders with a "deal with it later" mindset
- The item is almost never as described in the listing
- Best case: a used part in a fake box with a fake seal.
- Second best: a low-grade fake that kind of works.
- Worst case: nothing shows up or you get a random worthless item; you open an eBay case and hope for a refund.
In short: Weeks of waiting, zero reliability, and a high likelihood of starting over.
What does NJT Automation do / What makes you different from the rest?
We are about transparency and honest practices. Unlike many sellers that mislabel used parts as "new," we accurately list every part's condition and back it with warranty.
Do you refurbish Allen-Bradley PanelView terminals with aftermarket parts?
Yes. Refurbishing PanelViews is one of our core services. We replace failure-prone components like backlights, overlays, gaskets, and capacitors. Each unit is cleaned, tested, and often performs better than many "new" PanelViews sold on eBay.
Why is buying from NJT safer than buying "new" on eBay?
Because we're honest. We don't relabel used items, conceal serial numbers, or drop-ship questionable parts from overseas. Every part we sell is sourced from trusted U.S. suppliers. With NJT, you get a warranty, real support, and complete confidence in exactly what's in the box.
How can I tell if a part on eBay is fake?
Our article outlines six major red flags: mismatched boxes, stock photos, missing serials, and sellers pretending to be U.S.-based. If the price seems too good to be true or the seller can't answer basic questions, it probably is. You can also send us a photo - we're happy to take a look.
Do you offer a warranty on refurbished parts?
Yes, all refurbished drives, HMIs, and PLCs come with a 1-year warranty. If something fails under normal use, we'll fix it or swap units with you ASAP. Just be honest with us and we will get you back up and running.
Can you help me verify if a part I bought elsewhere is fake or used?
Yes. If you're unsure about a part you bought from eBay or another supplier, send us photos of the serial plate, housing, and packaging. We've inspected thousands of suspect Allen-Bradley items and can usually tell if something has been reworked, tampered with, or mismarked.
Do you buy used or surplus Allen-Bradley equipment?
We do. Whether you're upgrading a plant, clearing out spares, or getting rid of failed parts for credit, we'll evaluate your equipment and make a fair offer. We buy working and non-working PanelViews, PLCs, drives, and more.
