I can buy a brand new set of Callaway golf clubs (last years model) for $800 in Asia. Why so cheap there?

They are most likely COUNTERFEIT. I saw a 60 minutes about this. They tested golf clubs bought in Asia against genuine ones and proved that the big name clubs sold in Asia for peanuts are fake and poorly made. Stay away.

They are cheap because they are fake/factory Bs.

Fake; they may be "Carraway's" or "Calaway's" which makes them authentic, but not the real thing. Either way, you will see that their performance is not up to standards once you take them out on the course.

Factory Bs; made at the Callaway production site, but do not pass all of the QC(quality control) tests. They are labelled "B" and sold to staff/family/friends at cut rate prices not to be sold in the retail market. These make their way into chopshops and other low rent sales vehicles listed as "authentic Callaway's" which they are in theory.

You get what you pay for, and though I do agree that the US market prices for Callaway's as well as other top brand clubs are ridiculous, the opposite end of the spectrum is true too. Caveat emptor- let the buyer beware.

PS- if you insist on buying the clubs in Asia at cut rate prices, take them out to the range or course and hit them. Do NOT let the caddies or clubhouse staff clean them. This way, when you bring them back to the US, you do not have to declare them or pay duty on them.

Sure they're authentic except Callaway is spelled with a "k"

Be careful, there are a lot of copycats in Asia, they don't recognize our patents so they have every kind of fake product you can imagine, even Mercedes. Buyer beware.

Have you checked to see what amount of customs duty will be due?

I too would be concerned these are counterfeit with no means of returning them. Ask Callaway of there is a way to authenticate them?

guys you are making him nervous... no body wants to buy fake imitations unintentionaly right?!!

800 US sounds alright for me. if they are last year's model, the seller may just want to get rid of it fast.

there should a serial number on each clubs, you can always call Callaway, provide them with the number, and purchase in asia. they can tell you if its authentic.

As you've said; it's last year's model so! Every month new models are being pushed into the market thus they will need to get rid of the old models or else they may be left on the shelf forever.

Two theories 1. the originals are made in asia and these clubs they are selling cheap are class B or for outlet shopping only

2. these are chap imitations of the originals

Everything is cheap in asia

Why do you think so many products in America are made in china

cost to make is cheap and america sells at a higher value for a profit

most items are cheap here in Asia, we are not very greedy and only put up a tiny mark up on goods, perhaps your country and business owners should follow suit, there is more to life then huge profits