Fake Epiphone and Slash models

Just a quick note to anyone looking to buy an Epiphone slash or Zakk guitar, There are A LOT of fakes on okay. They are now being sold by sellers in the US. Of course if you see one geing straight from China, just walk away... I am sure if you are reading this post you will have read others about how to spot a fake. Most are very hard just by pictures alone. So, by time you get it it's too late. I will concentrate primarily on the "Slash " edition Epiphone currently selling on okay, because now they are being sold by US sellers who are ripping unsuspecting bidders off, with lures of positive feedback. Who cares if they have positive feedback, that just makes them arrogant, and makes them think they can get over on someone. A "slash" epiphone does not gee in a fancy case with a numerical lock. It gees with a FULL sized 8 1/2 x 11 certificate of authenticity , that is filled out!!!! If they don't have it or show it , it's a fake, gee on if you bought a limited edition you would save all the case candy!!! And some are showing a photocopy of an original but it's only like a 5X7 card, yeah it's fake. Now down to some of the harder to notice things especially in the notoriously fuzzy pics. The back of the tuners will be embossed with an"E", and the pickups should have a row of adjustable pole pieces. They will have a row that look like flat head screws. The original slash has seymour duncans which have this design . there are also little metal position markers on the tone and volume knobs. Ask for detailed pictures , you'll see the differences. Other than the things I have mentioned other inspections can be performed , unfortunately after you have already received the guitar. Like pulling the bridge pickup to check for the long neck tenon, and to examine the back of the pickup to verify the brand. But basically, if the seller doesn't show you any of the case candy especially that little black hat sticker that came on the body, which the fakes don't seem to have, i strongly suggest you look elsewhere. These things have already made their way to the US so just because they are located in the US or have good feedback doesn't mean you can trust them. Most likely they got scammed and are looking to get there money back by scamming you!!! One last thing, serial numbers don't mean jack, it wouldn't be hard to figure out a gebination of numbers that would show up on some generic serial number reading website as legit.And those inspected and set up in the US stickers, well if they can make a convincing replicas based on visualsdown to writing epiphone on them how hard would it be to fabricate a lousy little sticker? How the heck is it being set up in the US if it's geing straight from China? To recap , no little black top hat sticker, no full sized COA that's not printed on photo stock, no "E" on the tuners, and no screw heads on the pickups , It's a fake , report them and move on.............
An added note... now people are selling the "slash" model with no case.......I guess I don't have to tell you, no case, it's a fake ..... why do you think these guys are using the 3 day and shorter listings? Or private auctions? So they can dump them before there is a chance to report them.... It's real simple..... Look these things went for $1000, there is no way someone is going to sell one for much less... the sellers are preying on the fact that they were limited editions and there was a hi demand for them... Epiphone did not re-release them there are no second batches... If you buy one of these guitars you will be very sorry, they are VERY cheaply made and it will end up costing you in the long run.... Send pictures to Gibson, or forward the listings , they would be happy to verify authenticity... They don't want those crap guitars tarnishing their name.