13.02.14
Just Lamps discovers fake lamps in own stock
After the embarrassment of finding fake Epson projector lamps in its stock, lamp distributor and counterfeit crusader Just Lamps is using the tale as a warning to resellers and users.
In January Just Lamps launched an initiative to educate resellers and users about the presence of counterfeit lamps and provide tools to help identify fakes.
Dave Bethell, group MD of Just Lamps, said: “We have taken a very high moral ground on counterfeit lamps, seeking to stop them entering our traditional markets so you can imagine our embarrassment when we discovered fake Epson lamps in our own warehouse.
“Epson is the only major projector brand that doesn’t supply products directly to us. To complete our range of ‘every projector, every lamp’ we source Epson product from distribution channels both locally and abroad.
“This exposes us to the threat of counterfeit and we have now discovered that our own quality control measures just weren’t sufficient to prevent a few dozen offending lamps getting into our stock.”
Just Lamps is working with Epson to identify the sources of these lamps and will contact all customers who may have received a counterfeit lamp, advising them of new techniques to check their authenticity. Just Lamps will replace or refund suspect lamps.
Bethell concluded: “It is with a large slice of humble pie that we have to admit we’ve been duped and I’m personally very sorry if we have caused any of our customers any issues as a result.
“We have spent time working with competitors around Europe in the past few months to help them bring their houses in order and purge their warehouses of fakes. We commit to develop those identification tools to an even higher level as we need to assure our customers and suppliers alike that we will always deliver genuine product.
“I hope that by raising this publicly others will understand the scale of the problem and be encouraged to take even more care to check their stock and sources.”
Keep your eyes open for the InAVate March edition where technologist Tim Kridel explores the murky world of fake AV products. Register here to receive a copy.