While I am not quailed to speak about Epoch times, I am qualified to talk about fake chips. That problem is real, and it is not just "fake" chips that are the problem, some major chip mfgr's have turned to second their suppliers to supplement there supply chain. I talked with a major display mfgr last week that was having to do a 10 day burn in on all displays when they arrive because of this.
I have said before... Promise no price or delivery time until it is in your hand. This will continue to get worse for a while.