Counterfeit case

[ylesiya]

Hi all.

Recently I purchased quite costly Tiffany ring for a price close to 4k. I studied seller's profile and feedback (4.6+ positive with only 3 minor negatives, none of them was about authenticity of the item) and it looked quite good. So I decided to go ahead and bought the ring.

When I received it, I discovered it was obviously a replica. So obviously that I could even pinpoint the problem comparing it to the image on Tiffany's website. Somehow it was not obvious for me before the purchase but whatever.

I contacted the seller immediately who still insisted it is authentic and recommended to take the item to Tiffany to verify authenticity. Fine. Obviously I looked quite stupid when I walked in there but whatever.

Anyway seller agreed to fully refund me once the item is received back and they paid return shipping after I insisted. Currently the ring is on its way to the seller and I really hope to have my money back soon.

So here is what I am wondering:

1) I paid about 350 dollars total in taxes when importing this ring to where I reside and this is not refundable. I want to ask the seller to reimburse for this cost (I have receipts etc). Is it fair? Do people actually do that? Although the seller agreed to give me full refund I still feel ripped off. 

2) Feedback? Do I leave a negative with details? Or just keep silent?

3) Do I report this seller? They seem to be selling quite a few Tiffany items, surely experienced person would immediately spot that this is a replica once it is in their hands, which means they probably knew what they are selling.

Please advice!

[fjbet13]

Hopefully you opened a return case using Ebay's not as described MBG.  I would report the seller to Tiffany's. 

[ylesiya]

@fjbet13, how reporting seller to Tiffany's would help?

[fjbet13]

I think Tiffany's would be very interested in knowing that someone is selling counterfeit items using their brand name and might even take legal action against them.

[ed8108]

You can certainly ask your seller to reimburse you customs tax that you paid, I don't know if your seller will be accomadating to your request.

Buying on the internet is a gamble,  with the risk of inconvenience & the possibity of financial loss may sometimes be present.

[earlyant-77]

@ylesiya 

You may want to talk to customs in your country. If you shipped back as returned merchandise, you may be able to get your duties/taxes refunded by them.

[ylesiya]

@earlyant-77
I already did. They said no refunds once item is shipped in and the box is opened.

[ylesiya]

@fjbet13, thanks, good idea... Since I also have all the photo and video proof. The item is now back with the seller, waiting to be refunded for my "purchase"...

[femmefan1946]

1) I paid about 350 dollars total in taxes when importing this ring to where I reside and this is not refundable. I want to ask the seller to reimburse for this cost (I have receipts etc).

You paid (sales?) taxes to your state.

The seller had nothing to do with this, unless they are registered to collect and remit taxes in your state. You should be able to get those refunded. If you are not sure how, call your State Representative's office and ask for advice and/or forms.  You don't need the Rep. herself, her staff should know how to handle this --a nd if they don't, your Rep is not doing her job.

OR EBay collected sales taxes for your state under the new Internet Sales Tax/ Marketplace Facilitator  laws. Those taxes should be automatically refunded when your seller refunds you, but you may have to ask an eBay employee about this.  Another poster may have a good ID to flag.

After the transaction is completed, yes, do Report the seller, if only to protect other buyers  (and legitimate sellers of similar products).

While Reporting to eBay is good, contacting Tiffany is even better.  The whole VeRO programme (down at the bottom of the Home Page) is based on such cases.