eBay

lymo_64 · ‎11-15-2018

I sold an older LV item that came from an estate sale recently. Before I listed it, I did a lot of research to at least make my own self comfortable that it wasn't an obvious counterfeit. Had it been, I would have never listed it, that is NOT how I roll. I've found multiple sales of a the same and similar (different colors) here that go back months and all referenced that it was an "older" piece. I also saw a couple sold on outside sites that said the same. It had plenty of bids, too.

Buyer has had item nearly 4 weeks now and has today decided that they *believe* it's not authentic and want to know how I can prove to them it is real. They flat out called it "highly illegal" to sell. While I agree with that notion, she doesn't even know that it is fake, she just wants me to prove that it is real. Shouldn't these concerns have been raised before now? Short of paying someone to authenticate it, that is simply not possible. I would only consider doing this if I had it back in my hands and in the condition I sent it (which was near perfect).

For the record, I've offered a refund upon return, but I have a feeling she isn't really wanting that. I went back through her FB... she's left 4 negatives for "fakes" and used that "highly illegal" term there, too. I can't imagine why anyone one keep buying higher end items here if they got "ripped off" so much. I know I would not.

I have an otherwise perfect record and there was zero intent to do anything wrong on my part. I will refund if I get it back, but I already have a bad feeling... and why did it take so long to decide that it wasn't authentic?!

Any advice from the more seasoned vets here is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

smileytown18 · ‎11-15-2018

I would simply ask them to open case and return.
Say something like: "I have done my due diligence and believe it is authentic. If you are unhappy, please open a return request and I will give a full refund upon receipt of the item."
Don't get into arguments with buyer regarding authenticity.

sly_kitten2018 · ‎11-15-2018

You should have had the bag authenticated before you listed it. you simply cannot use similar and sold listings to determine authenticity. the buyer has 30 days after delivery to raise concerns through ebay, they are within 30 days so it doesn't matter if they just now raised their concerns.

**POSTING ID**
***The best advice I've ever received in the community is that if you don't want someone to respond to you, you shouldn't respond to them***

a*river*runs*through*it · ‎11-15-2018

@lymo_64

You will need to take the return, but you should post pics of the bag on the Fashion board as there are many posters that know LV there. It might give you some peace of mind to know for sure: https://community.ebay.com/t5/Fashion/bd-p/fashion

tunicaslot · ‎11-15-2018

I commend you for doing your research. I don't know how many feedbacks you have on your selling acct and whetehr this item was outside the norm of what you usually sell as far as price point and category. Often unscrupuous buyers target even veteran sellers who sell $10 clothing and suddenly list a $700 Canon camera their husband no longer uses.

As others have stated - tell the buyer to return for refund and you will process the refund as soon as the item is returned. If and when she does send it back - report the buyer as this obviously isn't her first rodeo with purchasing supposed fakes. The wings of that bird have to be clipped.

ed8108 · ‎11-15-2018

Agree upon a authentication expert.

If item is fake you pay the authentication fee.

If genuine the buyer pays the fee

castlemagicmemories · ‎11-15-2018

Ebay has an authentication service for purses.

a*river*runs*through*it · ‎11-15-2018

@ed8108 wrote:
Agree upon a authentication expert.

If item is fake you pay the authentication fee.

If genuine the buyer pays the fee

And how would you force that on a buyer?

lymo_64 · ‎11-15-2018

Is this something I can do on my end? Or do they need to open the claim on theirs? Is it done through PP or Ebay?

Yes, they are just in the 30 days, but based on what seems to be a pattern with this buyer, I feel like they know how to play this system too.

While I agree I should have had it authenticated first, I thought I had done due diligence before listing it. There truly was no intent to do anything wrong here. I am still not convinced that I even did, really.

I guess this is an expensive lesson. Does it not cost a lot to have something authenticated, making it a lot more cost prohibitive for smaller scale sellers? Any suggestions on a reputable service to do so? Even if I do so, what is to stop a buyer from doing the same again? Best I remember, ebay will always side with the buyer on cases like this.

castlemagicmemories · ‎11-15-2018

https://www.ebay.com/s/itemauthentication/seller

ed8108 · ‎11-15-2018

@lymo_64 wrote:
....... she just wants me to prove that it is real.

Any advice from the more seasoned vets here is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Agree upon a authentication expert.

If item is fake you pay the authentication fee.

If genuine the buyer pays the fee

lymo_64 · ‎11-15-2018

You may be on to something here, because I generally sell lesser priced (and cost!) items here... and I am a former seller (from way back in the early days) who returned recently, so I don't have a ton of feedback (yet) on my new ID... but I did open a store and I am trying to help support my family this way.

I just know that she is going to be my first negative, even though I am really trying to do the right things.

ed8108 · ‎11-15-2018

@a*river*runs*through*it wrote:
@ed8108 wrote:
Agree upon a authentication expert.

If item is fake you pay the authentication fee.

If genuine the buyer pays the fee
And how would you force that on a buyer?

You don't force people to do anything !

lymo_64 · ‎11-15-2018

Aren't I still counting on her to send it off to someone else? What if it is no longer in the condition I sent it to her?

Wouldn't it make more sense to accept the return, authenticate it myself and relist it?
Thanks!