We received these so called “factory sealed” components this week. It is unbelievable how sloppy the counterfeiters were. And the sad thing is that we bought these from a decent supplier which completely missed all of the evidence. There are 3 pictures. One is the outer packaging, which is obviously re-used, judging by the fact that the outer layer of the box was removed along with a previous label of another part. Then there is an HIC card showing that the parts were packaged, by the manufacturer, in humid conditions (does not happen). And then, looking at the parts themselves, they have a white plastic cover placed on top of the usual sliver area, which was very poorly attached.
Robb Hammond, founder and president of AERI (American Electronic Resource, Inc.). Founding member and former committee chair of the SAE AS6081 Standard created for the avoidance of counterfeit electronic components. Robb founded AERI in Costa Mesa, California, in 1994 as an independent distributor of hard-to-find, obsolete and allocated electronic components. AERI is AS9120B, ISO 9001:2015 and AS6081 certified, tests to AS6171 standards, and inspects every part in its in-house QC lab before it ships. Robb writes about electronic component shortages, sourcing strategy and counterfeit avoidance.
