Getting Burned With A Bootleg Neon

A Nasty Bite From a Different Kind of 'Landshark'

I received a call from Tom of Key Largo Florida. Tom explained that he purchased a Landshark Lager neon for $429.00 from an internet company (No Showroom) located in the San Francisco area. A piece of neon glass was broken and in need of repair/replacement. Tom attempted 6 times to contact the company in San Francisco with no return calls or emails. Tom and I spoke for 20 minutes on the phone and after hearing his story I advised Tom he was sold a BOOTLEG neon, very common unfortunately. Tom explained that he brought the sign to a local neon repair shop and the neon technician could not figure out what the color of the broken tube should be.

I advised Tom it is a yellow tube so how could the neon tech not know. Tom advised me it was clear glass and not yellow like the legitimate Landshark Lager Neon. All to often BOOTLEGGERS will purchase a legitimate neon sign then send it to CHINA and have multiple fakes made. The sign Tom bought probably cost around $30-40 to make depending on the number ordered. The material used is inferior to say the least and most likely not UL2161 Approved, a certification stating that each sign is exact and safe.

There are several companies who are licensed by the brewers to make these signs and they are manufactured in China, However they are up to code with industry requierments. You ask why would anyone go to the trouble of BOOTLEGGING? The answer is simple MONEY!  If you buy a sign for $40 and sell it for $400 thats 10x the return on investment. I cannot stress the importance of doing your homework. Neon Beer Signs are not available to order they are manufactured during a specific promotion period and thats it unless the beer company orders a rerun. If a neon has a year on it as part of a championship thats it there wont be anymore made. Ask the company who manufactured the sign there are only a few who are licensed to do so. If your told its made in CHINA thats fine as long as it is one of the licensed companies. Ask if the picture on the site is exactly what your going to get. BOOTLEGGERS will use legitimate photos to lure you in.

If you are told that it can be ordered be carefull its probably a BOOTLEG. Legit neons come in boxes that are clearly marked with what it is and what beer brand. Sometimes you get lucky and you can get new old stock. If the seller of the neon will not meet you to hand you your neon theres a reason for that  ITS BOOTLEG!  But there is recourse write a letter to the brewery and give them all the information you have on the BOOTLEGGER. Anheuser-Busch, Miller, Coors Light, etc, dont take kindly to BOOTLEGGERS.Copy right laws are violated, royalties are not being paid.

This is not the first call we received about this but the most recent. EBAY is another HAVEN for bootleggers. There are hundreds if not more of BOOTLEG beer signs on that site. Its a shame because it was a great place to sell this stuff years ago. Ebay is still a great place to do business just ask the right questions.  If you have questions call us we will guide you in the right direction even if your not buying from us. We are here to help you.