Saoirse Downs
Yonex is a popular sports manufacturing brand in the badminton world, known for its quality, innovation, and craftsmanship. However, the market is flooded with counterfeit Yonex rackets, which can be challenging for consumers to identify. To ensure the purchase of an original Yonex badminton racket, it is recommended to buy directly from the official Yonex website or authorized dealers. Additionally, consumers can look for specific indicators of authenticity, such as the presence of two serial numbers (on the cone and shaft), laser-engraved production codes, hologram stickers, and the overall quality and stiffness of the racket.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Price | Yonex rackets are expensive and are made of high-quality materials. |
| Serial number | Original Yonex rackets have two serial numbers, one on the cone and one on the shaft. The shaft number represents the manufactured number, and the cone number shows the date of manufacturing. The serial number will be engraved on the racket through laser. |
| Hologram sticker | Original Yonex rackets have a hologram sticker that is pasted on the racket through special glue and is not easy to remove. |
| Production codes | Original Yonex rackets have laser-engraved production codes on the cone above the handle. The first five digits refer to the date the racket was produced. |
| Country code | The last two digits of the production code refer to the country code or country of distribution. For example, "UK" stands for the United Kingdom, "SP" refers to the South East Asian or South Pacific region, "JP" stands for Japan, "CH" stands for China, and "KR" stands for Korea. |
| Physical feel and visuals | Original Yonex rackets tend to be stiffer with more rigidity and stiffness to the frame and shaft compared to fake rackets. |
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What You'll Learn
- Check the price. Yonex rackets are never cheap
- Examine the serial number. Original rackets have two—on the cone and the shaft
- Look for the hologram sticker. It's hard to peel off and can be authenticated via the Sunrise Group website
- Inspect the laser engraved codes. Fake rackets usually have printed codes
- Check the colour and sharpness. Genuine rackets have a specific shade of green and well-defined logo arcs
Check the price. Yonex rackets are never cheap
Yonex badminton rackets are high-quality products, and as such, they are never cheap. If you come across a Yonex racket at a low price, it is likely a counterfeit product.
The price of a Yonex badminton racket can vary depending on the model and specifications, but they typically range from $100 to $300 or more. For example, the Yonex Astrox 99 Tour, a high-end model, retails for around $250. On the other hand, the Arcsaber 7 Play, a lower-end model, costs about $150.
It is important to be cautious when purchasing a Yonex racket at a discounted price, as counterfeiters often target popular brands and sell fake products at lower prices to attract buyers. To ensure you are getting an authentic Yonex racket, it is recommended to purchase from authorized retailers or directly from the Yonex website.
Additionally, you can look for signs of counterfeiting by examining the details of the racket. For instance, the weight and tension limit should be laser-etched, not printed or stuck on with a sticker. Strange coding and non-laser-etched codes are also telltale signs of a fake racket.
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Examine the serial number. Original rackets have two—on the cone and the shaft
When examining the serial number of a Yonex badminton racket, it is important to note that original rackets have two serial numbers: one on the shaft and the other on the cone. The serial number on the shaft increases with every racket manufactured, while the one on the cone indicates when the racket was produced, following a specific format: DDMMYXCC, where DD and MM represent the date and month of production. For example, if the serial number on the cone is 20031N6SP, it can be decoded as 20 representing the day, 03 representing the month, and 1 representing the year (2010s).
The serial numbers on the shaft and cone can be used to verify the authenticity of a Yonex badminton racket. It is recommended to input the serial number into an authentication app or check with the local Yonex distributor to determine if the racket is genuine. Additionally, the production code on the cone should match the details provided by Yonex for that specific model.
It is worth noting that Yonex has introduced a new serial numbering system where they have removed the country code, leaving only numbers. The first five digits of the serial number are believed to represent the production dates.
In addition to examining the serial numbers, other indicators of authenticity include clear logo printing and hologram stickers. Genuine Yonex rackets have distinct and clear logo printing, whereas counterfeit products often have blurred or unclear logos. Furthermore, Yonex rackets feature hologram stickers that are challenging to remove due to the special glue used, making it difficult for counterfeiters to replicate.
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$24.51 $35
Look for the hologram sticker. It's hard to peel off and can be authenticated via the Sunrise Group website
One of the ways to check if a Yonex badminton racket is original is to look for the hologram sticker. This sticker is usually impossible to peel off. If you are able to peel it off, that is a red flag. The sticker is present on almost every single Yonex product distributed in the South Pacific region.
If you still have the original grip underneath your current grip, you can scratch the sticker and authenticate your racket through the Sunrise Group website. Current stickers have a scratch area that reveals a code that can be inputted onto the Sunrise Group website to quickly check the authenticity of the product.
You can also remove the grip and look for a sticker on the wooden handle. All genuine Yonex rackets have laser-engraved production codes on the cone above the handle, while on counterfeit rackets, the codes are normally printed and not engraved.
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Inspect the laser engraved codes. Fake rackets usually have printed codes
Inspecting the laser engraved codes is a crucial step in determining the authenticity of a Yonex badminton racket. Here are some detailed instructions and insights to guide you through this process:
Location of Laser Engraved Codes
On genuine Yonex rackets, the production codes are laser engraved on the cone above the handle, specifically on the cap above the handle, or the butt cap. This location is crucial for authentication. The cone is the part just above the handle, while the cap or butt cap is the very top end of the handle. Some rackets may also have a line of numbers above the cone on the shaft, which serves as an additional serial number.
Format of Laser Engraved Codes
The laser engraved codes on Yonex rackets follow a specific format that provides important information. The first five digits refer to the production date: the first two digits represent the day, the next two the month, and the fifth digit indicates the year. For rackets produced in the 2010s, the fifth digit would be a zero. The sixth digit is a manufacturing code, and the remaining digits represent the country code. For example, "UK" stands for the United Kingdom, "SP" refers to the South East Asian or South Pacific region, "JP" stands for Japan, "CH" for China, and "KR" for Korea.
Differences Between Genuine and Fake Engraved Codes
When inspecting the laser engraved codes, it's important to look for certain telltale signs that can indicate a fake racket. Firstly, genuine Yonex rackets have laser engraved codes, while counterfeit rackets typically have printed codes that are not engraved. The engraving ensures that the codes are crisp, clear, and permanently marked on the racket. Additionally, the font and overall appearance of the serial numbers should be consistent and free from defects, as Yonex's quality control standards would not allow for any irregularities in the serial numbers.
Additional Authentication Methods
While inspecting the laser engraved codes is crucial, there are other factors to consider when authenticating a Yonex badminton racket:
- Hologram Sticker: Genuine Yonex rackets feature a hologram sticker that is challenging to peel off due to the special glue used. Counterfeit rackets may have a sticker that is easy to remove with your nails.
- Logo and Printing: The "YY" logo and YONEX name should be clearly printed on genuine Yonex rackets. Counterfeit rackets may have blurry or unclear logos, with the \"O\" in YONEX being wide and round, and the "YY" mark off-center.
- Color of Butt Cap: Genuine Yonex rackets have a specific color on the butt cap, which should match the color on known genuine rackets. Counterfeit rackets may have a different shade of green, either too light or too dark.
- Country of Origin: High-end Yonex rackets are typically manufactured in Japan, while lower-end models may be produced in Taiwan or China.
- Barcode Under Factory Grip: Underneath the factory grip of a genuine Yonex racket, there should be a barcode indicating the racket model code, weight, and grip size. This barcode should be intact and visible if carefully removed.
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Check the colour and sharpness. Genuine rackets have a specific shade of green and well-defined logo arcs
The colour of the butt cap or bottom cap of a genuine Yonex badminton racket is a very specific shade of green. If the colour is too light or too dark, it is likely a counterfeit. The logo arcs and the spacing of the balls and arcs should also be examined for any inconsistencies. Genuine Yonex rackets have well-defined logo arcs, and the ""O"" in ""YONEX"" on counterfeit rackets is often wide and round, with a larger space inside the letter.
The colour of the butt cap can be compared with a known genuine racket to ascertain authenticity. The serial number of the racket can also be checked against the details provided by Yonex for that particular model. Additionally, the serial number on the shaft of a genuine Yonex racket should be laser-engraved, not simply painted or printed on.
It is important to be cautious when purchasing Yonex badminton rackets, as there are many fake rackets on the market. Buying from legitimate sellers who specialise in badminton and contacting local Yonex distributors to check the authenticity of a racket are recommended ways to avoid counterfeits.
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Frequently asked questions
Some ways to identify an original Yonex badminton racket include:
- Checking the price: Yonex rackets are premium products and are priced accordingly. If the price seems too good to be true, it likely is.
- Serial numbers: Original Yonex rackets have two serial numbers, one on the cone and one on the shaft. The shaft number represents the manufactured number, and the cone number shows the production date and country of distribution.
- Hologram sticker: Original Yonex rackets have a hologram sticker that is difficult to remove.
- Laser engraved codes: Genuine Yonex rackets have laser engraved codes, which are a hallmark of authenticity.
Some signs of a fake Yonex badminton racket include:
- Strange coding: Non-laser etched codes or strange serial numbers can indicate a fake racket.
- "Japan" printing: Fake high-end models often have a printed "Japan" on the bottom instead of laser etching.
- Softness: Fake Yonex rackets tend to be softer and less rigid than genuine rackets.
The best places to buy an original Yonex badminton racket are directly from the official Yonex website or from reputable and authorized dealers to ensure authenticity.
Yes, there can be visual differences between a real and a fake Yonex badminton racket. The genuine Yonex rackets have a very specific shade of green, and the logo arcs are on par. Fake rackets may have sharper or blunter logos that do not pay as much attention to detail.
