I noticed on ebay that several guys have copied and are selling my lift kits. 3 sellers, selling the exact same parts.  I know it is a free market and guys can do what they want. That being said, I put all the research, testing, and proving the sizes and design of all my parts. I have actually installed them, wheeled them, changed them, and so on.  I know MUDCHILD makes kits as well. He seems to have done the same work as I and takes pride in making a good product, more power to him.  I have no problem with him. The guys on ebay copied my parts EXACTLY and are selling them like they know all about Zuks. They also sell lift kits for about every other vehicle made, which I am sure they copied.  Just thought I'd post this to let you guys know and hopefully spread the word. If the parts are not red, I did not make them.

I am also not trying to say guys should only buy lifts from me. I just hate when other people take advantage of someone else's work to profit off of it.

Jeff

Unfortunately, that is the way it works sometimes.

That certainly sucks. Too bad you can't meet them face to face some where, preferably without witnesses.

I don't REALLY wish them harm just hope they get really sick.  . I know that is how it works, but at least change something to make it look a little different. I made my strut spacers a certain way to save on material. They made them the exact same shape. I know I should just be happy for all the customers I have sold to but it bugs me that they know nothing about Suzukis and are just out to make a buck off another guys work. 

I don't REALLY wish them harm just hope they get really sick.  . I know that is how it works, but at least change something to make it look a little different. I made my strut spacers a certain way to save on material. They made them the exact same shape. I know I should just be happy for all the customers I have sold to but it bugs me that they know nothing about Suzukis and are just out to make a buck off another guys work. 

Unless you have a patent on it, they can copy it exactly (right down to the color, if they want) and there isn't anything legally that you can do about.
I kinda know how you feel, I've made something before, had a vendor copy it (initially it was identical to mine...they have since changed it slightly) and sell it for a profit.  On mine, I wasn't making them to sell, it was just for me.  Worst part is, the vendor won't even acknowledge they copied mine.
Hopefully, people will see that yours is the original and that you are not just "some guy off the street copying and selling parts" and will buy yours over the other guys.

As fabricator building all kinds of things and the thing that gets me the hardest is when I see the exact same part being made in CHINA !!!! or when some one lies about where it is made . 

As fabricator building all kinds of things and the thing that gets me the hardest is when I see the exact same part being made in CHINA !!!! or when some one lies about where it is made . 

I am actually wondering if they are made out of the country. I know what aluminum costs and do not see how they make a profit selling them for the same price I do. Oh well.

To the patent comment, there is nothing to patent. My parts are just like any other coil spacer made and other companies make them out of urethane. It is old technology that really cannot be made better or changed enough to patent.

Some suggestions from someone that has several patents and has dealt with issues like yours:

1) Provide flawless customer service at all times...provide better information/instuctions/support than your imitators
2) Look for other quaility products to sell that can compliment your own
3) Look for any change in design/image that can distiguish your product from others...even if its a cool sticker for their window 

Best wishes!

i know nothing about patents, but i like working with people who have figured out a modification and can knock out parts for others.
i have several pieces from other peoples projects.
i get answers to my questions from someone who knows what i'm trying to do.

Hey Jeff,
             I've seen the copies of your lift and they are just that...copies I understand about being ripped off, a supporting vendor on this site called me up and we made a deal to supply him third link spacers. We sent him a few and now he has copied them with a slight change in appearance, totaly ripping off our design. Not the way good business should be done.

Hey Jeff,
             I've seen the copies of your lift and they are just that...copies I understand about being ripped off, a supporting vendor on this site called me up and we made a deal to supply him third link spacers. We sent him a few and now he has copied them with a slight change in appearance, totaly ripping off our design. Not the way good business should be done.

That is interesting.  What vendor was it?  If you don't want to say in public, PM me.

Happens to everyone.

Happens to everyone.

Bad answer, And not necessarily true.....
 I will not buy from supplier that I feel has riped off a design from some one else. And I urge all to do the same!!!!!!
It,s one thing to take a design and  enhance  it or refine it.
 But quite another to coppy it and call it your own.
 And to justify that action by saying " every one else does it ".
Wow .
 I'm at a loss for words on how wrong that is.........
JMHO.......Boxcar....

You misunderstood completely Boxcar.
Our signature parts have been copied the world over and passed off as "new" designs.
The statement was NOT made by us that "every one else does it". Happens entirely too frequently with our parts that we designed and it's not good for any business.

You misunderstood completely Boxcar.
Our signature parts have been copied the world over and passed off as "new" designs.
The statement was NOT made by us that "every one else does it". Happens entirely too frequently with our parts that we designed and it's not good for any business.

I've seen some of the Calmini knockoffs, absolute crap too. Always have had great service from you Calmini. Thanks.