DualShocked and Burned By Counterfeit PS3 Controllers
Caveat emptor, counterfeit DualShock 3 controllers have hit the internet via Ebay, and possibly other online marketplaces. These counterfeits are responsible for controller connection issues since PS3 system firmware 3.00. Although these issues may have been appearing since before the 3.00 firmware update, they may have been made apparent by people scrutinizing the latest update.
Follow our tips to make sure you don’t get burned by a fake DualShock 3.
To ensure that you don’t end up with one of these fakes, we highly suggest you buy your PS3 accessories from a reputable retailer such as GameStop, Target, Wal-Mart, or Best Buy. If you are looking to save some money by shopping online, Amazon.com always has the lowest prices available on DualShock 3 controllers. When buying from Amazon, make sure the item “ships and is sold by Amazon” to avoid dealing with any of Amazon’s sellers.
At the time of this writing, only White DualShock 3 controllers are being reported as counterfeit, however it’s only a matter of time before counterfeiters catch on and create other colors as well (if it hasn’t already been done).
If you think that you’ve received one of these counterfeit DualShock 3 controllers watch the video below for tips on how to spot one of these fakes.
16 Responses to “DualShocked and Burned By Counterfeit PS3 Controllers”
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September 28th, 2009 at 4:05 PM
What!!! thats crazy..
September 28th, 2009 at 4:06 PM
eBay are a disgrace when it comes to cracking down on this sort of thing. Their excuse of being “just a venue” is old and tired now, and needs to be removed by law so that they can’t hide behind it any more.
September 28th, 2009 at 4:15 PM
It’s pretty easy to return counterfeit things on eBay. A hassle…but easy.
September 28th, 2009 at 4:39 PM
amazon FTW
September 28th, 2009 at 5:08 PM
It’s actually not that easy, especially if you’re dealing with counterfeit items that are under a certain amount of money, and need to be returned overseas. I just recently dealt with counterfeit items from China, and you see PayPal requires that you return things with track and confirm. There is no cheap option for track and confirm when you’re dealing with tiny towns in China, my return shipping on the order which totaled $80 was going to be $86. I was going to have to eat an $86 shipping fee in order to get a refund, just because PayPal wouldn’t let me file the claim as a counterfeit item. After many hours on the phone with PayPal, they finally decided to issue a refund to me out of their own pockets, and the seller didn’t get charged at all, making it a sweet deal for him, considering he duped about 200 people into buying fraudulent memory sticks. PayPal told me they’d never let me do this again, so I’ve of course vowed never to purchase memory sticks from ebay, but honestly, buyer beware when it comes to things which can possibly be counterfeit on ebay (which is everything?).
September 28th, 2009 at 5:39 PM
i have a problem with my controller too the lights are flashing but its not a fake one
September 28th, 2009 at 5:54 PM
Wow I would never buy a controller off of ebay, mostly because I don’t want a used one.
September 28th, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Actually, ebay doesn’t specialize in used things, they’re kind of neat because you have the chance of getting new things for less than market price. I can see where you’d think that you would get used things, because why have an auction site for something that you can buy at normal vendors.
September 28th, 2009 at 6:37 PM
the ps button looks illegit… i noticed that withing 5 seconds before he even said anything and at 2:50 he shows im right.
September 28th, 2009 at 7:27 PM
@Onionpaper. Seriously? They paid all that money for shipping? Why didn’t they just buy you a new legit one. Would have saved them the money.
Ya that’s why I don’t deal with Ebay and stuff. I pay extra but I never seem to have the problems everyone else seems to have. MUAHAHAHAHA. I get to spend my time gaming. Not dealing with call center reps.
September 28th, 2009 at 8:47 PM
I avoid Ebay altogether ti be honest.
September 29th, 2009 at 2:06 AM
what is this guy on? all ps3 controllers have LED lights that are slightly raised, not flush at all! so ppl, dont even consider that (fact?) when checking ur controllers. the rest of the stuff i agree with, but the raised LEDs- not at all!
September 29th, 2009 at 2:13 AM
what is this guy on? all ps3 controllers have LED lights that are (ever so slightly) raised, not flush at all! so ppl, dont even consider that (fact?) when checking ur controllers. the rest of the stuff i agree with, but the raised LEDs- not at all! ive checked the labels and everything else, all perfect. no red light shines thru the controller either (yes i have a 2year old white pad). the buttons colours are perfect with no change in tone also.
Ignore the raised LED part ppl, not all pads that come out of the factory will have perfectly flush edges, its impossible! plastic mouldings are usually de-burred by hand (sharp edges cut off), and hand made things are rarely- if ever- perfect! i just think this is scare mongering to stop ppl importimg ps3 pads n stuff just so sony can get the extortionate amounts wanted to purchase 1 in ur own homeland. call me cynical if u like, but its an instinct i have that is very rarely wrong. and something about this article stinks a touch!
September 29th, 2009 at 12:00 PM
@ ST.Anger
MAN YOU ARE SO RIGHT. Nobody would dare make counterfeit electronics, this must be a sony conspiracy.
September 29th, 2009 at 12:05 PM
@DaveXI
Try turning off your ps3(switch at back). My controllers wouldn’t pair but would work plugged in, my friend accidentally hit the power moving it closer, we turned it back on and everything was working.
September 29th, 2009 at 2:25 PM
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