I think I would give the seller a call and tell them your ruler had a defect. If you never get a response, that might tell you something as to whether it is real one or not. I think everyone has production errors at time. Maybe they will send you a new one. I have heard that the fake ones are not as thick as the real ones. I don't know. I ordered mine through GE Designs so dealt with the inventor of the Stripology rulers made by Creative Grids.