Selling a "knockoff?" Gucci jacket. Authentication process question?

[pragueinspring]

Hi community! I'm selling a potentially knockoff Gucci jacket. I don't normally sell high fashion so this is very new to me. Just getting rid of a few old things in my closet. I see the authentication service added to my listing- which is cool, generally speaking, but I'm curious about the grey area of my listing.:

*I clearly state "knockoff?" jacket in the listing title.

*In item description I say "Tried to find an exact Gucci jacket. Was only able to find very similar jackets online. To be safe I’m calling it a knock off. But! It is silk confirmed! Silk 80%/ Polyester 20%"

What happens if an authenticator determines it's fake Gucci?

Even with the qualifier in the title and calling it out in the item description am I better off relisting the jacket without the brand name?

It's certainly vintage. I'm like ~70% certain it's a real Gucci jacket. Feels like one. I found very similar examples with a real Gucci label.

Here's the full listing: https://www.ebay.com/itm/296352801326?itmmeta=01HWB7AAJG925QZPHY37AY8WX1&hash=item450000e22e:g:~7UAA...

[lisa5768]

@pragueinspring 

eBay does not allow the sale of fake, knockoff, counterfeit items. I suggest you take that listing down and don't try to sell it. The sale of counterfeit items is against the law.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/prohibited-restricted-items/counterfeit-item-policy?id=4276&st=3&...

[a*river*runs*through*it]

If you value your Ebay account I highly suggest you remove that listing ASAP!

Don't EVER list anything you can not prove to be authentic.

[tinsoldierunderground]

Follow the advice given by the first two posters.  You don't want to square off with Gucci in a SAD (schedule-a-defendant)  lawsuit.

[albertabrightalberta]

@pragueinspring 

Did you read the responses and suggestions you've received? 

[soh.maryl]

Are you unaware that, regardless of your identifying it as a fake, counterfeit, knockoff whatever, it's a violation of eBay rules  to list anything that's a fake, counterfeit, knockoff?  

[albertabrightalberta · Accepted solution]

---

@pragueinspring wrote:

 I'm curious about the grey area of my listing.:

*I clearly state "knockoff?" jacket in the listing title.

*In item description I say "Tried to find an exact Gucci jacket. Was only able to find very similar jackets online. To be safe I’m calling it a knock off. But! It is silk confirmed! Silk 80%/ Polyester 20%"

---

FYI, there's no "gray area" when it comes to the sale of counterfeit goods. It's very definitely 100% illegal to sell fakes in the US and probably every other country although some countries are stricter in enforcement of the law. 

In case you're interested in reading ebay policy, here it is and it can't be clearer. Counterfeit items are not allowed and if you (as the seller) are not 100% certain of authenticity, you need to find out and confirm or you can't list it. PERIOD - not allowed! (Also, you cannot use an "authenticity disclaimer" in an effort to be "honest.")

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/prohibited-restricted-items/counterfeit-item-policy?id=4276&st=3&...

---

@pragueinspring wrote:

What happens if an authenticator determines it's fake Gucci?

---

Your account will be dinged and you're at risk of restrictions and/or suspension.

---

@pragueinspring wrote:

Even with the qualifier in the title and calling it out in the item description am I better off relisting the jacket without the brand name?

It's certainly vintage. I'm like ~70% certain it's a real Gucci jacket. Feels like one. I found very similar examples with a real Gucci label.

---

There's no way to list a counterfeit item -- not with or without the brand name.

And being 70% certain of authenticity isn't enough. You must be 100% certain. 

This jacket is NOT made by Gucci, despite your 70% assumption.

[sea*dreams]

Agreement all around here.  Never put a disclaimer on your listing regarding authenticity.  It's either authentic or it isn't.  You can't hedge your bets by saying you aren't sure, or don't know, or estimating some percentage of likelihood that you've guessed correctly.  That will not protect you in the event that your item sells and the buyer finds the item to be a knock-off.  Neither will it keep eBay from removing the listing and censuring your selling account.

If you are unsure about the authenticity of an item, get it authenticated before you list it.

In this particular case, don't bother.  

Also - the zipper pull appears to be missing - you didn't mention that in your listing.

[janet9988]

Selling of counterfeit fake items is illegal. Against the law.

Ebay can not give you authority to violate the law.

[sandimas]

 If you only knew of the tragedies caused by counterfeiters including human trafficking, forced child slave labor and funding terrorism like 911....you'd change your mind about this. Absolutely not OK.

[pragueinspring]

I didn't! Thank you for telling me!!

[pragueinspring]

Thank you!! I really appreciate you laying this out for me. Appreciate inclusion of the EBay policy. I'm reviewing it. Nonetheless I'll not make this mistake again.

[pragueinspring]

I work 16 hour days split between two jobs. This is the first moment I've had to jump back to this thread. Thanks again for your guidance. 

[janet9988]

It is NOT just about ebay's policies......

It is illegal (against the LAW ANYWHERE to sell counterfeit goods. PERIOD.