Counterfeit, Bootleg, Fake items and stupid questions by buyers on Ebay

[cccentral]

Over the last few months I am getting more buyers that are asking some of the most stupid questions or request regarding items being legitimate or counterfeit.  I sell on ebay and have a 100% rating .  Here are some of the questions

1. Is this item for real.  Can you prove that the item you are selling is official?

2. Customer just purchased item already:

Can I see pictures of the BEARBRICK?

I replied if you would like me to open package and send pictures of product. 

Buyers reply:

I don’t want you to take out of the box. I just wanted a picture just to confirm that the BEARBRICK exist, if is not a problem.

3.  Factory new item:  Couple  sales on this item already

Buyer:

Price for real?

Is it legit?

I have picture of actual item being sold and not only stock photos.  Buyer is suggesting why I am selling the item so low and is it a knock-off?  But just the attitude and the inability to write a complete sentence and uttering words out like a Neanderthal seems to be the common place everyday on ebay.

I am getting bombarded by stupid emails like this every day. Yet I have 100% rating and all good reviews; to date I have sold over 13K items on ebay.  Hoping to do plenty more sales. I know I am just ranting but I hope some of  you "buyers" read this.  This is Ebay,  I know there are a lot of Bad sellers.  There are a lot of red flags to bad seller.  

Some edumacated advice here:

1.  Negative reviews; Read them if you see a couple of reviews stating counterfeit!!!

2. Seller has low or no reviews and is selling extremely low.  Too good to be true pricing. Could be a red flag

3. Buyer does not have any good pictures.

4. Buying **bleep** unlicensed products from China/Pacific Rim at ridiculously low prices delivered and stating box not included. (then buyer claims counterfeit!!!)

Buyers... Understand what you are purchasing.   If you are buying products from China 80%+ of all  normal licensed product is counterfeit. Most of these listings even say it is China version or not official.   Yet Ebay allows this **bleep** to go on (this is another story for another time). Shame on some of you buyers.  If the price is that low your instincts tell you it is counterfeit but you still buy it.  Most buyers to buy this **bleep** knows its fake and buy it.  The rest of you have no excuse.  Being stupid is no excuse.  Then some of you buyers comment that I will buy on Amazon instead.  You know that Amazon sells a **bleep** load of counterfeits also????  I have purchase Amazon Prime items that are counterfeits or illegal grey market goods.  I do random purchases just to verify why items are discounted from Amazon on in house distributed products.  Buyer stop being so stupid and communicate in a professional manner.  Don't just grunt out a few words and or insinuate that I sell counterfeits.  And for  you seller who sell counterfeits and stolen items which is rampant on Ebay.... **bleep** off and karma will pay you back ten fold.

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

I think you should run for Mayor of the twin cities, that job might be opening up! Good post.

[bbravo65]

@silverstatetreasureboxes 

..."twin cities" is located in Minnesota state right...?

(I guessed so...!)

[vsknkv_0]

Your buyers kind of have a point, all stock pictures, crazy cheap, it does lead buyers to ask those kinds of questions.

[defendress]

Now, tell us how you really feel...

[ed8108]

The new normal ?

1. Is this example of ___ good enough to pass as original ? 

2. Reality testing

3. Too good to be true

[inhawaii]

I know LOTS OF PEOPLE who think if they are buying it from Amazon, they are buying it from a huge corporation. If they are buying it on ebay, they're buying from a guy in his basement. 

[bearswatching]

...lol since there is no such job as “mayor of twin cities “. Thx for the laugh!

[annadryl]

That's actually two mayors. But the question is... do they have to be twins?

[yankeebob1951]

---

@annadryl wrote:

That's actually two mayors. But the question is... do they have to be twins?

---

Ha-ha! ... If so imagine the small candidate pool for mayors in the "Quad Cities" area on both sides of the Illinois/Iowa border

[cccentral]

Obviously you did not read my comments.  What point to grunt out words?  I use stock pictures and real products like most sites.  So what your saying is Target and all ecommerce not use stock photos.  "THINK BEFORE YOU COMMENT!"  

[seaottermarine]

Unrelated: Congrats on the 15 year candle burn, fam.  @cccentral 

[carolynnq]

I get those questions occasionally, but I don't think I've ever gotten one after the sale is completed. I don't blame buyers for asking - apparently there are a lot of knock-offs  - and many very good - out there. My most recent item questioned was a set of Beatles CDs that were replicas of their original LPs - replica covers, etc. One potential buyer asked if it was authentic. I tried to find info online about differing points between the original and fakes but couldn't find anything. Then a second potential buyer asked me 3 specific questions  that apparently identify the item as authentic. Mine turned out to be authentic and the second guy bought it. I sent the first guy the information about the authenticity points. I had assumed what I had was authentic - I never even considered it might not be - but it could have been a fake and I wouldn't have known.

[defendress]

Target, Wal-mart etc do not have the time to go take pictures I would think of their thousands upon thousands of items. Unless you are one of them, maybe you should take the time to complain less, and with that extra time, you could take photos of your merchandise like any decent seller does. If you do not care about what you are selling, then why sell it to begin with...? Have bought from sellers with 200,000 sales behind them, and they still took the time to take photos. Not difficult. Just takes integrity.

[cccentral]

Spoiler

Thank for the reply as it will help sellers and buyer better understand and protect themselves on Ebay.  I have also taken addition pictures products per my customers request after purchase; especially on high ticket collectibles.   My comments are to educate both buyer and seller also with a rant.  Unfortunately, there is part of society that cannot communicate a complete sentence.  Etiquette, Social skills, and  basic common sense has take a back seat and it has gotten significantly worse over the last few years.