I've been had! I recently purchased a Memory Stick Pro-Duo on Ebay. Its the model: MSX-M2GN 2GB. I was going to re-sell it at first since I got it for such a good price, but after some research online finding out that these fakes were in circulation, I stopped.

Here's the deal, the card works fine. It stores photos and works faster than my 40x 1GB CF card. However, the problem with it is that it can only hold only about 1GB worth of information even though its suppose to be 2GB.

At first, I thought it was my Sony F828 that had a problem. I thought it was firmware issues but my firmware is already the latest. I also thought that the card was incompatible with the camera, but that couldn't be, my camera isnt that old. So I took some looking around online and found outthe real reason why.

Anyone can be fooled. However there are some hints to how youc an tell the fake from the real, the links provided below has some real and fake photographs to tell the difference. One clue that hit me was the way the box came with no instruction manual. I thought it was normal since there was only one way to use a memory card hah. But to an untrained eye, you just cant see the difference. Here's some photos of the box, see for yourself:

*Update* 4/20/2007
We moved our servers recently and have moved the photos to our gallery below:

http://third3ye.net/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=6846


Unfortunately, I've already placed a positive feedback. As soon as I noticed that the card worked fine, I figured it was legit so I sent my feedback. I should have known better. I think this is the reason why this seller keeps all of his transaction numbers hidden, which is also why I included it in my feedback :) I wish I can provide more warning to the buyers however, I think its too late.

I dont know what I'll do yet. I'm thinking about just keeping the card since it didnt cost me much. But I still dont like the idea of getting duped. I should have done more research.

At least I'm here to give you guys a heads up. I don't want this to happen to anyone else. Now you know, so dont get fooled!


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Here's the Ebay Link I bought it from: (dont email the guy just yet! im trying to get a replacement!)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN%3AIT&rd=1

Links to other threads about counterfeit cards:

http://www.forum.renoraine.com.my/viewtopic.php?t=43
http://www.mxphone.com/show.php?no=913
http://forums.hexus.net/showthread.php?t=70524

Take your dispute to PayPal [if you used PayPal to purchase]....have them investigate and get your money back.

I think I'll do that. I want to do a follow up feedback as well, however, I dont want the seller to follow me up with a neg remark too.

I'm going to see what the seller says first, give him another day or two to explain himself, if it doesnt work out, I'm filing it with PayPal this week.

NPR featured a story on fake truck parts. Apparently, China's president is
going to visit Bill Gates (I wonder if they'll talk about the piracy of Windows?).

Anyway, my suggestion is that you contact Ebay and tell them about the fake
merchandise. You might also contact Sony as I'm sure they'd be interested
too.

Sorry to hear you got taken and thank you for the heads up.

Ian

It looks like the packaging is legit, are you sure that Sony didnt put the wrong label on the part and package it?

Might be off here, but I remember issues with 2GB CF cards working with some Canon cameras, I cannot remember the specifics but it was something to do with the camera not being able to recognise the entire 2GB. Does this only occur in the camera? What does the computer recognise? Try reformatting the card in the computer as FAT rather than FAT32. As I remember there was a way of formatting it so the camera could read the whole card.

Maybe someone with a better memory might point you towards the posts

Good luck with resolving the issue which ever way it goes, I hope it is the whole 2GB.

Stan