How to Spot Fake Racquets (and Why Authentic Gear Matters) — Badminton & Tennis

How to Spot Fake Racquets (and Why Authentic Gear Matters) — Badminton & Tennis - Gem Sports

Buying a racquet online can feel like a bargain hunt, but counterfeit gear is a real risk—and it can cost you performance, comfort, and even safety. Gem Sports positions itself around 100% genuine products from major brands (including YONEX and VICTOR) and is an official authorised retailer in Australia, which is exactly what players want when they’re spending money on serious equipment.

Why fake gear is a problem (even for casual players)

Counterfeit racquets and accessories often look convincing in photos, but the materials and build quality can be inconsistent. That inconsistency shows up as strange feel on impact, poor durability, and unpredictable performance—especially once you start training regularly.

Authentic gear matters because it’s designed and quality-controlled to perform within a known standard, so your racquet, shoes, and accessories behave the way you expect as your technique improves.

Common red flags when shopping online

If any of these show up, slow down and double-check before buying:

  • The price is “too good to be true” compared with reputable Australian retailers.

  • The seller has vague product details, no clear warranty/support process, or unclear brand authorisation.

  • Product photos look generic, low quality, or don’t match official product naming/packaging.

  • No store presence, no click & collect option, and no real contact details beyond a web form.

Authentic retailers are usually transparent about who they are, where they are located, and how they support customers after purchase.

How to buy with confidence (the simple checklist)

Use this checklist to protect yourself—especially when buying higher-end racquets and shoes:

 

Gem Sports highlights free shipping within Australia over $150, a price match guarantee, and a physical pro shop in Eight Mile Plains (Brisbane), which are all practical trust signals for buyers.

Where Gem Sports fits in

Gem Sports is positioned as an official authorised retailer in Australia for brands including YONEX, HEAD, VICTOR, DUNLOP and MIZUNO, which helps customers avoid the uncertainty that comes with random marketplaces.

If you’re upgrading your racquet, shoes, or accessories, shopping through a specialist retailer also makes it easier to get the right product category match (racquets, shoes, bags, accessories) and ongoing support.

If you want, share whether your audience is mainly badminton or tennis—then this can be tailored with sport-specific examples (e.g., racquets vs shoes vs shuttlecocks/balls) without naming counterfeit “tells” that could help fake sellers.