Reporting an item

[goombahcat]

I have been trying to report an item that is listed as an
"antique" and the seller has been informed (several times) that it is a reproduction.  He took it off eBay once but has re-listed it, again as an antique.  When I try to fill out the "report" form, it doesn't include the category listings that are appropriate for the infraction.  Any suggestions?  Thanks!

[jeannicho22]

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@goombahcat wrote:

I have been trying to report an item that is listed as an
"antique" and the seller has been informed (several times) that it is a reproduction.  He took it off eBay once but has re-listed it, again as an antique.  When I try to fill out the "report" form, it doesn't include the category listings that are appropriate for the infraction.  Any suggestions?  Thanks!

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Stop trying.... They won't remove it because he claims it is an antique but is really a reproduction.

[7606dennis]

Frankly, it is merely your word that the item that you have not physically examined is a reproduction.  It is doubtful that eBay would have any reason to take your word for such a thing. 

How, precisely, have you come to the conclusion that the item is a reproduction?  Are you a certified expert in the field?  I've rarely seen a true expert willing to risk their reputation without physically examining the item.

[femmefan1946]

It's my observation that eBay doesn't exactly ignore Reports, but multiple reports from one member don't have much effect.

Especially if the member is a rival seller. (And yes, a seller is more likely to spot the fakery.)

But if many members are Reporting the same item or seller, they are more likely to pay attention.

And if the item is from a manufacturer who uses the VeRO program action is often too fast!

[fashunu4eeuh]

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@goombahcat wrote:

I have been trying to report an item that is listed as an
"antique" and the seller has been informed (several times) that it is a reproduction.  He took it off eBay once but has re-listed it, again as an antique.  When I try to fill out the "report" form, it doesn't include the category listings that are appropriate for the infraction.  Any suggestions?  Thanks!

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Hi, the reasons supplied by eBay are not an exhaustive list, and i haven't found any policy governing the issue you brought up. The closest i could find was the policy against listing replicas as the genuine article, but that is primarily for counterfeit goods. The dropdown choices for that are "Copyright and Trademark > Counterfeit Item or Authenticity Disclaimer > Counterfeit, Fake, or Replica Items".

As you have brought the matter to the attention of the seller, there is nothing more you could do except call eBay with your suspicions.

Before you do anything more, since you are not a buyer of this item, i would urge caution on your behalf, particularly if you sell in the same category as this seller. If he is a competitor, he might construe your multiple messages as harassment, and that would be most unfortunate if he complained to eBay. As another poster pointed out, can you be 100% certain his item is not the real deal without examining it in person?

Below is the policy link for reporting an item. It has a report button in it if you still feel compelled to pursue the matter further.

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behavior-policies/report-item-listing?id=4739

[luckythewinner]

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I have been trying to report an item that is listed as an "antique" and the seller has been informed (several times) that it is a reproduction. He took it off eBay once but has re-listed it, again as an antique.

First, eBay is not an expert on the authenticity of all 1.2 billion items listed here, nor should anyone expect them to be.

Second, I doubt that eBay will remove listings based on a random third party's claim about its authenticity. If they did, then unscrupulous sellers would have a field day by falsely reporting their competitors' listings.

When I try to fill out the "report" form, it doesn't include the category listings that are appropriate for the infraction.  Any suggestions? 

I would suggest that the lack of a reporting mechanism is a pretty good indication they are not interested in third-party reports about the authenticity of antiques.

[robot-hands]

Harassing another seller is more likely to result in you taking a vacation than the listing getting pulled.

You should walk away.

[*madison]

Any suggestions?  

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Forget it, and move on.

[goombahcat]

Thanks for the  reply.  No I am not a seller, just someone who has been scammed before on eBay and trying to keep others from being scammed.  The piece in question is a sterling chatelaine that was marked REO.  REO is a company who currently makes reproduction pieces and the info on the company can easily be found by Googling or looking for similar items on eBay is easily found.  I gave the seller that info and shortly afterwards, they removed the listing only to relist it about a week later (only listed for several days.) I am guessing that most of the replies to my question were from sellers and I find it disheartening that most of them seem either paranoid "don't tell or you'll get yourself in trouble" or so disinterested to the point that I wonder how many sellers on eBay lie about their items under the guise of "buyer beware" which, to me, simply means "screw you!"  Sad commentary on our world today!

[bonjourami]

Sellers are buyers too, and those in here are very experienced. They know Ebay is not going to close an auction on another members word..why would they? Thats what their MBG is for.

[goombahcat]

So basically what you're saying is....."screw the buyers"?  Thanks, that's really helpful....not!

[bonjourami]

Buyers have a MBG on Ebay and PP, so they are far from "screwed". you seem to have you own interpretation of the responses in here.

[pargran3]

No, basically people are telling you that eBay is not going to take your word for it that there is a mistake in the listing. And no 99.9 percent of the sellers here do NOT deliberately misrepresent an item.

Since you obviously know the item is not antique maybe most other people looking for such an item will also know.

Buyers do have a responsibility for themselves when making purchases.

Radine

[goombahcat]

Well then, what's *your* solution for getting "your money back" if you're not even aware you've *been* screwed?!

[goombahcat]

The marking on the piece was faint but since I buy these types of items, I recognized it.  So, when a seller is told about the authenticity of an item isn't it *their* "responsibility" to be honest?!  I think I am done posting on this forum because it seems most (not all) of the people replying to my question spend too much time trying to "school" people and not providing actual solutions....and don't seem to really care about honesty.