Cables more hype than value?

I'm not sure I understand how serial numbers can really stop fakes. If the company making the fakes knows that the serial number on a legitimate interconnect is 27543 and they put that number on their fake, when a customer calls up and says "I have 27543 is it legit?", the answer will be yes right?

I suppose if the numbers are all associated with a registered owner and the subsequent owners all re-register, you could then start to catch fakes or alternatively if you started to see a pattern of the same serial numbers starting to appear on the same models of IC's or Speaker Cables, you'd know you had a problem.

Being active in the watch collecting community, I've seen this occur with watches...over time repeating serial numbers revealed batches of fakes, but it took awhile before it was discovered and I've seen watch manufacturers label a watch as legitimate that was later found out to be fake after it was openened up and more carefully inspected.

Bottom line, it takes more than the printing of a serial number on a product to stop a fake.

Next thing you know the fake ones sound better than the real thing :)

@ Seikosha, I believe your theory!, Its a gamble!, I can tell you In my case, I have been listening to Taralabs since their company started back in 1985!, I hope being this familar with their sound can help me determine a fake or not!, I have talked to people that got took on a fake, they did not like the sound what so ever!, when they went a listened to the real mccoy, then they knew for sure!, the serial numbers help, but as you explained they are not full proof!, The best way to get a real cable is to buy from the factory like I do most of the time!, the i/c that I have was originally sold at Hanson audio, their in kettering, OH , Thats were I bought it to, Taralabs with the serial nuber told me that was the original place it was shipped from their factory, the original buyer traded in the zero gold 1-meter for a long 3-meter Tara onyx, that does sound better useing very long runs!, 2-meters and down, of course the zero gold sounds better!,,cheers!

@ seikosha, Hi, my Taralabs cobalt a/c power cord come in today!, To my supprise, It had serial numbers on it!, I called Taralabs a.s.a.p., they told me the original owners full name, and that it was made in january,2013!, and it has the top of the line oyaide plugs!,, mmm, maybe their system is full proof!, I will call Taralabs back next week and add my name on their system for this cobalt power cord and the zero gold i/c that I have as the second owner of both!,BTW, this power cord is huge!, the biggest girth I have ever seen!,, Happy listening, I am pumped!

@ Audiolabyrinth:

maybe you will pull so much electricity out of the net that your neigbours will not have any electricity any more!!!!

Bobby