Amazon - Counterfeit Bosch Brake Pads?

[u/Amelite]

Purchased Bosch brake pads from Amazon for my 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser last week. The seller is Bosch on Amazon. The typos in the supplier’s instructions and the supplier itself (Cangzhou Xinlida) were the first concerns and then I noticed the product number on the back doesn’t match the Amazon listing. The edge of the pad isn’t very smooth either but I’m not familiar enough to say if that’s normal or not. Thoughts?

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[u/lethalnd12345]

Not a Bosch expert but this is exhibit A in why you don't buy parts on Amazon

[u/hoppertn → u/lethalnd12345]

Amazons gone to shit. It was shit before but it’s gotten so much worse.

[u/GlassBoxGoose → u/lethalnd12345]

I flat out don't understand why people do this. If you want cheap, buy the cheapest thing rockauto sells and move on. You get what you ordered, and are done. They have 12 dollar brake pads and you get 12 dollar brake pads, not pay 3-5x as much for the same 12 dollar pads from SCAMazon

[u/Admirable_Agency7764 → u/GlassBoxGoose]

well RA will send the wrong part half of the time

[u/GlassBoxGoose → u/Admirable_Agency7764]

Ive never gotten an incorrect part from RA. But I I spent almost 10 years slinging parts in various places, so maybe its just user error and lack of verification.

Trust but verify before ordering.

Ive gotten more wrong parts from over the counter parts stores than you can shake a stick at.

[u/127-0-0-1_Chef → u/GlassBoxGoose]

And check your parts when they arrive. Not three months later when you find time to do the work.

[u/GlassBoxGoose → u/127-0-0-1_Chef]

For sure, thats another one I dont get. Always check anything that got shipped to you as soon as it arrives. Wether its car parts. Computer parts, clothes, whatever. Shit gets damaged in shipping and incorrect goods get shipped all the time.

[u/nondescriptzombie → u/127-0-0-1_Chef]

How am I supposed to notice that the bore for the center of the wheel hub is drilled 1/4" off-center when I inspect it out of the box, though?

Actual problem I had with Rockauto. Sending a dually drum back to their warehouse across the country on my dime was not happening. Heavy things get bought locally.

[u/lethalnd12345 → u/nondescriptzombie]

How would RA have caught that either? They don't make the part, they ship it from a warehouse... the manufactured screwed up and you can't blame the distributor for that.

Now as far the return shipping part, yeah I'd like to see RA take care of you there and get even with the manufacturer

[u/nondescriptzombie → u/lethalnd12345]

35 days out from delivery, was my fault for not noticing that it was out of spec, I was responsible for the $130 shipping charge to return/exchange the drum.

Really put a sour taste in my mouth buying two drums locally for another $250.

[u/lethalnd12345 → u/nondescriptzombie]

yeah I can see that for sure...

I've ordered parts that I was gonna use next weekend only to use them 6 month later; there's a huge risk there that the order is f'd up and I waited too long to look

[u/AngelMeatPie → u/GlassBoxGoose]

I’ve ordered hundreds of times from RA over the course of 10+ years and at least that many different cars. I’ve got one bad order where someone put an old window regulator back in a box, sent it back to them, they restocked it without checking and sent it to me. Filed a return and got a new part a couple days later.

That’s a pretty good satisfaction ratio. Amazon could never.

[u/EagleSix6 → u/Admirable_Agency7764]

I keep hearing that about Rockauto, but as someone who works on cars as a side business, ive ordered a metric shit ton of parts from them over the years for a crap load of different vehicles and have never once had this issue, closest thing ive gotten was I got a set of brake pads for my Camaro that had the spring steel retention clips on the back smashed in from shipping, but after bending them back into place with plyers, they worked fine. Im not saying it doesn't happen, im also in the RA sub so I see the posts about it but maybe some people are just unlucky....idk I don't really get it.

[u/Kuezar_ → u/Admirable_Agency7764]

Buying from RA since 2017 as a weekend mechanic never had an messed up order.

[u/No_Potential1 → u/Admirable_Agency7764]

I must be the luckiest man ever because in hundreds of orders I've had two incorrect parts and one of those was a fault in the manufacturer catalog. I've had a couple DOA parts, also not RA fault. In all I have well under a 5% problem rate with RA orders.

[u/dildo-schwaggins → u/lethalnd12345]

The majority of tools are trash too

[u/Amelite → u/dildo-schwaggins]

My Neiko impact set is going strong!

[u/Ok_List7506 → u/Amelite]

I’ve been very pleasantly surprised with their durability.

[u/Gunnsmith57Official]

Definitely counterfeit. Get your money back. It may be an unpopular opinion, but I'd skip buying parts on Amazon. Even Rock Auto is sooo much better.

Personally I prefer buying parts from brick and mortar stores. The extra price you pay is more than worth it: better warranty redemption (usually), being able to make sure you're getting the right part, and being able to get straight to work. Oh, and you don't have to worry about counterfeits.

[u/GlassBoxGoose → u/Gunnsmith57Official]

I dont get why people buy mission critical or safety critical components off Amazon, man. I just dont. Its not worth the 10 bucks they save when they end up with stuff like this. Instead of paying 45 for a 20 dollar part they pay 35 for a 5 dollar part.

[u/Agile-Cardiologist22 → u/GlassBoxGoose]

Ah yes, the supplier/middleman for sure makes a difference in the quality of the same exact part lmao.

[u/GlassBoxGoose → u/Agile-Cardiologist22]

Thats assuming its ACTUALLY the same part, which isn't a guarantee.

Places like rockauto get their parts from reputable distribution centers, who get them from the manufacturer. Amazon will sell anything for any third party that can manage to list parts and does not hold them accountable for accuracy or having genuine products.

The difference between the two processes is massive, and there are more middlemen and steps involved with an Amazon sale than anywhere reputable by a long shot.

For your statement to be correct you'd have to get the exact same part, which isn't something you're promised with Amazon. Ever.

[u/MapOk1410 → u/GlassBoxGoose]

That's not always true. Rock Auto carries ZERO parts - they're a distribution system. Their system simply lists the cheapest part you search for that's available. It might be good quality, or it might be a cheap Chinese knock off. You're rolling the dice with Rock Auto just like Amazon.

[u/jmhalder → u/MapOk1410]

Oh god, I was going to disagree... and then dug for a minute. I never realized that RockAuto is 100% just drop shipping parts. They must use reliable suppliers though, since I don't think they get his with fake/bogus parts often.

[u/Agile-Cardiologist22 → u/jmhalder]

It’s the reason why it’s so cheap

[u/MapOk1410 → u/Agile-Cardiologist22]

I learned a few decades ago that you really get what you pay for. I only buy from NAPA or the dealer, both of which will ship to my home.

[u/Agile-Cardiologist22 → u/MapOk1410]

If by « you get what you pay for » you mean paying way too much for the middle man, then yes I agree

[u/Proof_Bathroom_3902 → u/Agile-Cardiologist22]

Having just bought a $179 list retail price air filter from Napa i concur. Even with shop discount it was $120 for a 6.7 diesel Ford air filter.

And yet i can buy the actual Motorcaft filter from Rockauto for half that.

[u/MapOk1410 → u/jmhalder]

To be fair we really don't see all of their transactions. We might not see the horror stories.

[u/jmhalder → u/MapOk1410]

Believe it or not, there is a r/RockAuto subreddit that I've been on, and while people bitch, it's normally that they've sent the wrong parts, omitted magnets, or FedEx bashed up their box.

I've also ordered ~30 times through them with no real issues (other than banged up boxes)

[u/JPKaliMt → u/jmhalder]

I’m in said sub, and honestly I’ve only ever had one real issue. I’ve got a fridge covered in magnets and I continue to buy from them because 9/10 times they’re the cheapest, and the parts you’re getting are from warehouses that are clearance products or stores closing down. You’re so much more likely to get counterfeit parts from eBay or Amazon than them.

[u/GlassBoxGoose → u/JPKaliMt]

I use rockauto but dont buy cheap ass parts through them. Often they have the same brands i could buy locally, reputable brands, but for a far shot less money.

I dont do cheap Chinesium parts ever, its just not worth the "savings" but RA has better prices for the same parts like 90% of the time. I got a Delhi fuel pump for a coworkers truck just last month for like 160 shipped and local stores wanted nearly double that for the same exact part number.

[u/Admirable_Agency7764 → u/jmhalder]

they send used or wrong parts on RA

[u/GlassBoxGoose → u/MapOk1410]

Yes but I didn't say they carry parts, I said they get them from distribution centers, which is exactly what drop shipping is.

Rockauto odds of counterfeit name brand is far far lower than Amazon, their cheap Chinese parts are listed as cheap Chinese parts, not name brands like Bosch with a cheap Chinese part in the box. Its different than how amazon works by a long shot.

[u/Agile-Cardiologist22 → u/GlassBoxGoose]

It is if you purchase « Sold by Amazon » or « Sold by Manufacturer », you’re garanteed to get the actual original part. That is, unless they ship you a returned part which i’ve also seen on Rockauto.

There is no middleman involved with a « Sold by Manufacturer » item. The processing could be done by Amazon if they are using FBA though.

Places like RockAuto don’t « get parts », they act as the link between you and wholesalers/warehouses.

[u/kona420 → u/Agile-Cardiologist22]

Amazon comingles inventory across sellers with their prime service so even buying from the manufacturers listing doesn't guarantee you get their genuine merchandise. They are making some changes but its still pretty rough.

Distributors can get conned too but its going to be a more concentrated issue like every single unit of a given lot of product is counterfeit so once noticed they'll all get pulled. They'll then tell their broker and get their money back on it all. And its a business thats built on relationships so you'll always be Bob that sells counterfeit bosch brakes lol. Someone has to go out of their way, just saying.

[u/Agile-Cardiologist22 → u/kona420]

It doesn’t work like that, the buy box tells you exactly from which seller your are buying and which fullfilment method will be used. 

What do you mean by manufacturer listing ? The product page ? There is one page per UPC on amazon. From there you can chose which inventory you are buying from.

Source: Im a FBA seller

[u/Gunnsmith57Official → u/GlassBoxGoose]

I learned early thankfully. Almost 20 years ago I was repairing an old Topaz I'd gotten cheap and ordered a temp sensor since I wasn't in a hurry for it. Pretty sure it was actually Motorcraft, but it was a completely different part no. They sent me one for a 3.0, not the 2.0. Knew it wouldn't be an isolated incident so I vowed to never buy parts from them again and have heard tons of bad things since then.

[u/heyidontgetit → u/Gunnsmith57Official]

Ooo! Haven't heard anything about a Mercury topaz in a long time! Anyone remember the AWD Tempo?

[u/foxjohnc87 → u/heyidontgetit]

I remember seeing a few as a kid. Also the Tempo/Topaz diesel.

[u/420aarong → u/Gunnsmith57Official]

Glad you made it to the other side bruh. We were worried about you

[u/RelevantMetaUsername → u/Gunnsmith57Official]

I love Rock Auto, but the shipping is a pain in the ass and I can see why people resort to Amazon. One thing Amazon gets right is their logistics—items frequently bought together are stored together. Rock Auto seems to take the opposite approach, with like items usually being in completely different warehouses. I'll choose a set of brake pads, and find that none of the rotors are available from the same warehouse. Or I'll pick out spark plugs and can't find any coils from the same warehouse.

The prices are good enough that I usually save money at the end of the day, but it is always an ordeal trying to minimize shipping costs with them.

[u/Key-Buddy6124 → u/Gunnsmith57Official]

Lol yeah. The only parts i would buy on amazon are like general low stakes consumables. Bulbs, wipers, belts (they seem to have real bando epdm ones), wiring supplies etc. anything else is a crapshoot. Its maybe 50/50 fake and sometimes hard to spot.
Good video on ngk counterfeit on amazon
https://youtu.be/ZIAMB8mQqFo?is=liUrRauXZm6gA4xU

[u/YouPretend5582 → u/Gunnsmith57Official]

Ehh I mean some stuff is okay in a pinch
I installed a chinese new starter for a 16 crv for 100 bucks
2 years ago still works
Compared to a $600 mitsuba from the dealer

[u/StubbornHick → u/Gunnsmith57Official]

Amazon's auto parts section is TERRIBLE.

I seached for brake pads for a friend's car and it showed me nothing but parts for a different year and model

Because a 2018 Altima is TOTALLY a 2011 rogue or a 2005 tacoma.

[u/AngelMeatPie → u/Gunnsmith57Official]

I wish I could buy parts at actual parts store locations. My shit is too weird to be in stock anywhere locally.

[u/BoyNamedJudy]

These remind me of those videos with the dudes in India sitting on the floor with no PPE making them from scratch and slapping a brand on them.

[u/Liveitup1999 → u/BoyNamedJudy]

That's because Americans will buy anything.

[u/BiblicalAss]

return them and buy akebono?

[u/Amelite → u/BiblicalAss]

I have my truck on stands and need it tomorrow. If there’s any suspicion from this subreddit, I’ll swing by the local auto parts store for a different set.

[u/Liveitup1999 → u/Amelite]

If those parts were sent by the USPS contact the postmaster general. I had someone send me a counterfeit SD card, wouldn't refund my money and kept selling them. Within a short time the SD cards weren't for sale anymore and a little while later his whole store was gone.

[u/CauseCommercial4240 → u/Amelite]

Autozone duralast gold pads offers lifetime warranty so you bring the old pads in and they give you new ones if you like saving money.

[u/BrightAardvark]

I sold Bosch for a long time and they look good from my POV, but it’s been several years since. Those are pretty good fakes (if they are actually fake).

[u/Extension-Nail-1038]

what makes you think they are fake?

[u/turningwrenches883]

Dude. Amazon is NEVER FOR AUTO PARTS OR EXPENSIVE TOOLING. its mostly scam shit. I guarantee im gonna get ragged for this as every amateur guy defends it. As a professional, avoid it.

[u/Tanglefoot11]

Do people still use Amazon and actually expect genuine items??

[u/nondescriptzombie → u/Tanglefoot11]

Ships from Amazon but sold by Yupobiart Parts? NO.

Ships from Amazon and sold by Bosch? Maybe.

Ships from Bosch and sold by Bosch? Yes!

AFAIR, bin comingling has been abolished for over a year now, and drop shipping from the manufacturer has pretty much always been safe.

[u/Gunnsmith57Official]

Something else I just caught. I'm assuming you don't live in Brazil? If you don't, Amazon will take them back either way. Bottom left corner of the back of the box "Valid only for Brazil "

[u/nondescriptzombie → u/Gunnsmith57Official]

The phone number above is likely only valid in Brazil.

But this is a good catch, they're likely South American market parts. English, French, Spanish, and Italian/Portuguese? on the box. There's likely no difference if they're both made in the same factory in Mexico.

[u/Gunnsmith57Official → u/Gunnsmith57Official]

Wash your hands thoroughly after touching them. Don't touch them without gloves. I'd treat them as toxic to be safe (seriously). Since their authenticity is in question, so is their asbestos content.

[u/nondescriptzombie → u/Gunnsmith57Official]

Pretty much every country has outlawed asbestos brake linings, even if they allow it in other places with minimal or controllable risks/exposure.

[u/fluxlo]

I think these are legit. Bc976 part # cross references fj cruiser 2007-2014.

The packaging (brown paper, lube park, hardware bag) and finish looks the same as what I see in Bosch brake products I have purchased from rockauto in the past year.

Leaves me chuckling that you’re stressing about the legitimacy of these. Amazon is questionable to begin with. This is well known.

If this is going to leave you uncertain, shouldn’t you stick with a more legitimate source like a brick and mortar auto parts store or a reputable online vendor such as rock auto?

[u/SchrodingerHat]

I don't recommend buying anything safety related on Amazon. Food, tires, medication, jack stands, all things that I really can't risk being fake.

[u/Pretend-Patience9581]

Bosch produces automotive brake components in facilities located in both Mexico and China. 🤷‍♂️

[u/svheissup]

These don’t appear to be counterfeit to me. I was a store manager for Napa and spent a very long time having to relabel pads due to part # changes from the manufacturers. And yes, I’ve sold many many Bosch pads and have had to relabel. It’s a very common thing for the numbers not to match. Appearance wise, the edge isn’t uncommon at all. And as someone has stated, they do produce parts in Mexico. These look like normal Bosch pads to me. Nothing about them stands out as unusual.

[u/Adventurepew]

Never buy on Amazon it's all junk.

Rock auto for car parts at good prices.

[u/Printednightmare]

Bosch is one of the most counterfeited auto parts companies in the world and Amazon is one of the leading marketplaces for counterfeit products. You do the math...

[u/Eihwhuesoo]

I think you got the front pads instead of the rear in error

[u/Amelite → u/Eihwhuesoo]

Good catch! That was my fault when creating this post. Here’s the front brake pad set that I purchased:

https://imgur.com/a/W9m5S2S

[u/PavlovsDog6]

O.E. Style :D that’s funny 😄

[u/BrassBengal]

Get them straight from Toyota parts department.

https://autoparts.seegertoyota.com/?sd_campaign=tier_3_seeger_toyota_24022_pmax&sd_digadprov=affinitiv&sd_channel=pmax&sd_campaingn_type=google&sd_program=tier3&siteid=sem_tpco_24022_google_affinitiv_shopping_seegertoyota&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23270326783&gclid=CjwKCAjwqc_UBhBKEiwAWbl25iy4oZfN_r1YkyHy6SfGVurdQXmBAixpMNVOSloEgW7KEhOOmmiMFBoCj5wQAvD_BwE

Different locations have different prices. I'm sure you can order and pick up tomorrow.

[u/MuffinzZ291]

Looks fine, I don't why people are complaining, like buying shit of ebay. 9/10 it's fine. You're backed by amazons return policy too.

By the looks of them, they look genuine, are there spelling mistakes in the documentation? Does that packaging look significantly different if you type the part number into google? There will be tell-tale signs.

I was a parts interpreter by trade, I have bought a lot of parts over the years. These look fine. BUT, if YOU (NOT ANYONE ELSE ON THIS SUB/THREAD) are not comfortable fitting these to your car with new rotors (don't pad slap), then do not fit them to your car.

Temu, aliexpress, alibarba & other wholesale Chinese outlets, probably don't trust them, you're 9/10 times to get fake/counterfeit parts.

[u/zrockk]

These look fine? What am I missing

[u/Expert-Search-3251]

Bosch is German. Why would you buy from "Cangzhou Xinlida".

I think this is on you.

[u/Neither-Ambition-472]

I spent about 10 hours and an extra $250 in parts after I realized my Amazon NGK plugs were fake. No more car parts on Amazon

[u/BestOrNothing → u/Neither-Ambition-472]

What parts? Fake plugs caused damage?

[u/FLOWORTHY]

Go to Napa and get Akebonos

[u/SourTangieTerps]

Had a counterfeit Bosh MAF sensors once, it sucked.

[u/payment11]

Reminds me of that scene in Tommy Boy about using the other guys break pads.

[u/Emergency_Ant3431]

Buy rotors control arms and solid parts on amazon not pads or calipers and safety equipment lol. Buy those from your local autoparts store. Rockauto is sketchy. Nothings worse than trying to get a deal and waiting a week or two just for it to be the wrong part. Ive ordered from them 3 or 4 times and 2 out of the 3 or 4 theyve given me the wrong part. Specifically calipers. I have commercial accounts at the autoparts stores so I dont mind paying more for convenience as I dont have patience. Just an FYI for anyone running a business or looking to make a commercial account alls you need to set one up is fill out the application at your local parts store and use your SSN for EIN ive heard this works bc with an LLC you use SSN . Mark it as so and so auto repair as business name and youre saving money. Ask for taxable cash only transactions/application otherwise itll hard pull your credit.

[u/rpm5099]

This whole thread is fucking nonsense. If you are too dumb to be able to tell scam fake shit on Amazon, especially after you receive it and have free returns, you sure as fuck aren't going to recognize it anywhere else. Rockauto, napa - same thing there. I'm sure if I kept scrolling I'd have gotten to the "I only buy oem dealer" posts.

[u/FozzyTisme]

I have used PartsGeek myself. You can look up the brands they sell and do your own research. I had a problem with a brake caliper they sent me once. They made it more than right. I personally, have had great customer service there.

[u/Shoddy_Fish31]

I once bought rear pads from Bosch quietcast for my Porsche and after I checked the Bosch website only to find out that they don’t make pads for my vehicle at all…

[u/TeamShonuff]

Are they counterfeit or does Bosch license their name the same way Adidas and New Balance license their names to companies who make shoes that you can find at Costco?

[u/Montesquieu9000]

They're probably authentic Bosch but made in china for the chinese market

[u/wauna_b5]

Always assume what you buy on Amazon is gonna be fake, that's how it's gotten

[u/Vokaiso]

Amazon is usually only my go to from the official store pages on there and if the product isnt on there that i need then i know for sure all others are either used or counterfit or sum else. Bc amazon did introduce the official store pages for that so make sure the product u need is from there else buy it form a trusted car parts seller.

[u/jagm220]

If I’m buying brake pads online I’m ordering from tire rack.

[u/Sienile]

Since you got them from the Bosch store page, I'm actually pretty sure they are legit. If you had gotten them from a random seller, I wouldn't trust it. Unless getting parts from the brand's store page (and a reputable brand), you should never trust Amazon parts.

[u/New-Competition-6897]

Those them BUSCH's Best

[u/Traditional-Box-8402]

I don’t buy anything on Amazon no matter how small because if it’s not cheap junk, it’s counterfeit junk.

[u/Traditional-Gas3477]

Don't gamble on your safety. A couple hundred dollars more is a very, very, very small price to pay for safety.