How can I tell if I bought a "fake" harmonica?

Those plates are brand spanking new. THe scratches on he reeds are tuning marks from the factory, and the pther scratches are normal production marks. Other than that the reedplates are smooth and show no discoloration from playing or exposure to sun or pollutants.

Suzuki USA is being undercut by direct-from-Japan imports and won't honor warranty on such insturments because they're not being paid by Suzuki Japan (a separate cmpany). That's fair, but to discuourage buying from overseas, they've also suggested that such harmonicas might be counterfeit. This is silly. Of all the things in the world that a company could make money on counterfeiting, harmonicas have to be at or near the bottom of the list.