Sketchy Maui Jim shades have arrived - full analysis

Mar 24, 2021, 9:37 PM

related to post from a couple weeks back: https://www.tigernet.com/forum/message/i-just-ordered-a-couple-pair-what-the-hey-28712934

I just ordered a couple pair, what the hey

Celtic stumbled across CHEAP CHEAP website advertising "authentic" Maui Jims, retail $200-250 as you probably know. $40 on this site. Celtic and soccerkrzy (maybe others) had ordered from site with success, and well, I threw in for a couple pair. So they may be the only two interested in this post going further. NEWS ALERT - the website I ordered from - www.mauijimsus.com - is no more, not the way it was previously. Now selling gaudy generic no-name women's sunglasses. Lawyers musta banhammered them.

Anyways, ordered March 8, arrived today. 16 days shipment, which was expected from Bumflock, China. I figured 99% chance knockoffs, as mentioned in 3/8 post. Not expecting much. I now feel very lucky to have received anything given recent shutdown events.

I ordered two pair. $69 total. Free shipping, no sales tax charged (lol). I own/have owned several pairs of MJs over the years, very familiar with the brand, so was anxious to compare/contrast.

Now, on to the analysis......

The Good:
First pair was actually "on sale" for $29. They were a rimless pair I ordered just to see the new MAUIGREEN mirrors, a new lens, to compare with Costas I suppose. They arrived OK, as ordered. Looked dead on like the same model when compared to the real Maui Jim site. Note - I have always thought the MJ "rimless" style were made a bit flimsy and fragile, esp for their cost. The one rimless pair I owned way back when, I pretty much hated due to the flimsiness. These are very passable as legit MJs, I could not see any flaw that would tip anyone with less than expert knowledge that they are fake. Solid construction, stiff wire frames, plastic lenses (as spec'ed). Measurements exact. Logos exquisitely matched. Fit is good and tight.

The Bad (kinda):
Second pair - I ordered a model the exact same as a pair I already have and love, a wayfarer type called "Mixed Plate". $39. But this model was NOT shipped to me. It was a similar frame, and after comparison on the official MJ site, I found that it was a model called "Onshore". Not a huge difference, but different, so I couldn't do the side-by-side I was hoping for. But.... a beautiful replica of this model, comparing to other internet photos. Hit on every detail (almost). Good, flexible nylon arms and tight hinges, rubber where it should be, logos immaculate, very solid pair of shades. I do think the lenses are plastic, not glass, which was disappointing (and first non-legit giveaway). But the main flaw was --- the arms had no writing, model number, etc. like legit MJs have. Ding ding ---- FAKE.

I don't think the lenses on either pair are NEAR MJ quality, but they function. No distortion or anything weird. Tried them out in late afternoon sun. They function. But they are NOT polarized as they should be.

The Great:
as mentioned by the other two, the brown clamshell case was LEGIT. I compared to one I had and they are EXACT matches. Same zipper, same tactile cover, same rubber logo, same interior felt, even identical stitching. Just one minor difference - the clip (beltclip?) was on the opposite side of the case from my "real" case. I really think these are "real" MJ cases. Doing a quick Ebay search, these cases sell on there for $20-30 each new. I don't think MJ even makes them any more, their new triangle-shaped cases are getting lots of complaints on their website (I looked).

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There's your skinny on buying "discount" sunglasses from a sketchy source. Would I order again if the site was still active? I just might. I got two great glasses cases ($40-50 legit value), and two excellent Maui Jim knockoffs that would fool almost 100% of the public. $20 value each easy, as good as the Foster Grants you could get from a local discount store, but with a LDR Maui Jim disguise <img border=

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$70 Que Sera Sera.

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Sketchy Maui Jim shades have arrived - full analysis

??·???·??*******

yep, ChiComs got my home address now

This won't last long***

Re: Sketchy Maui Jim shades have arrived - full analysis

Thanks for the update. ******

I once bought a pair of Raykley sunglasses when our ship

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