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AIBU?

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Vinted seller requesting return of counterfeit item. AIBU?

60 replies

lanadelcake · 30/07/2024 23:09

I ordered a 'brand new with tags' designer item for my daughter on Vinted. It's not a high value item worth hundreds. It's my daughter's birthday today, and the item was intended as a gift. On inspection of the item, which arrived today, it's very obviously a fake. I've done a fair bit of research and also have a genuine one at home as a point of comparison.
I submitted photos to Vinted, as well as written evidence on why it's a counterfeit. In addition to the existing red flags, the seller is now selling more of these identical items on her account!
Sure, Vinted only have my word for it. But I'm a 5 star member with hundreds of great reviews. I'm hardly going to lie for the sake of 40 quid. And in my whole time of using Vinted, I've maybe returned one thing before, as it didn't match the description. So it's not like I make a habit of this.
The seller has requested a return. So I now have the inconvenience of repackaging the item (it comes with a few 'bits') and sending it back, waiting for my refund, etc. And obviously I'll have to replace the item too.
AIBU to think that the seller, having been caught out, should simply suck it up and not put me to the hassle? WIBU to take it further with Vinted?
I thought counterfeits were supposed to be destroyed rather than change hands Confused And I doubt she'd be able to resell it now anyway.

OP posts:
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Jellybeanz456 · 17/09/2024 20:48

ATenShun · 30/07/2024 23:17

She likely is selling fakes, you likely looked at the item and the sellers other items & feedback and knew you were buying a fake. It was likely considerably cheaper than the genuine one. You are now reporting it as fake hoping to get it for free.

This!

JaceLancs · 17/09/2024 20:31

I’m just in same position with eBay - checked seller reviews, checked they were U.K. based seller
Received an obvious fake (branded) item and when I started return process, address came up as China - I have to pay extortionate postage now and am not convinced will get refund!
I will pursue through PayPal then credit card if necessary and have reported the seller - not that I expect much response

theeyeofdoe · 17/09/2024 20:15

OP - just tell the seller that you'll inform the police that her item is counterfeit.

alpacachino · 17/09/2024 20:11

lanadelcake · 31/07/2024 11:00

Where did I say it was so cheap? It was a tenner less than the real deal. Often I find on Vinted, especially with the younger sellers, that they change their mind about things they've bought and miss return deadlines. I genuinely thought this was the case here, as her reviews are so good.

Not Stanley cups

Zone2NorthLondon · 17/09/2024 20:05

GoldenRetrieverBert · 31/07/2024 10:28

But why should the OP have to return at her own expense, given the seller is at fault?

Vinted is majorly flawed in this respect.

Sellers can do what they want and get away with it

Op isn’t out of pocket making a return,seller sends her a free return label
she simply posts it back,free

NigelHarmansNewWife · 03/08/2024 18:28

I've just had the misfortune of buying an item that I have found out is a fake. Something just didn't feel right about the process with this seller and they listed an identical item very quickly after I bought from them. I checked what to look for on genuine items. Lo and behold the listing photos are not of what I've been sent and it's missing one of the indicators you'd expect to find. Anyway, I've provided evidence and had an automated message the seller wants it returning and has bought postage. Within a minute of me reporting it.

Dinoswearunderpants · 31/07/2024 13:38

GoldenRetrieverBert · 31/07/2024 13:30

@Dinoswearunderpants don't be ridiculous- they wouldn't if they were selling counterfeits, or there is someone wrong with the item

It's a second hand selling site, what do you expect!!!

GoldenRetrieverBert · 31/07/2024 13:30

@Dinoswearunderpants don't be ridiculous- they wouldn't if they were selling counterfeits, or there is someone wrong with the item

Dinoswearunderpants · 31/07/2024 13:26

GoldenRetrieverBert · 31/07/2024 12:33

No. OP expected to not be out of pocket for the return costs.

That's how vinted works. Buyer pays to return. Sports Direct charges you for returning items.

GoldenRetrieverBert · 31/07/2024 12:33

Dinoswearunderpants · 31/07/2024 11:19

That's how vinted works. You don't want the item, you return it and wait for a refund. Did you honestly expect to keep the item and receive a refund??

No. OP expected to not be out of pocket for the return costs.

KittenKins · 31/07/2024 12:33

GoldenRetrieverBert · 31/07/2024 10:27

I rarely used Vinted now as they're so heavily weighted in favour of (unscrupulous) sellers.

I bought something that was clearly not as described (was advertised as new and unworn but was fraying etc). Seller got shitty and requested a return at my expense before she would refund.

So despite HER falsely advertising, I was the one out of pocket, with NO repercussions on her. So so frustrating

If you find yourself in hat situation again, apply for a charge back with your bank.

I've had it twice now with Vinted, ie the item isn't as described, the seller will accept a return for refund but I have to pay to return it.
Vinted say speak to the seller who, despite admitting the mistakes are their own, state it's my issue.

Both times I applied for a charge back with my bank. I supplied photos of the advert, the item, my chats with the seller & Vinted. Both times I got my money back & donated the items to charity.

Once Vinted told me I should inform my bank the charge back is incorrect. I ignored them. Be warned they have been known to close Vinted accounts for this.

The buyers protection fee is just a money making scam.

I stick to eBay now.

SanDimasHighSchoolFootballRules · 31/07/2024 12:31

Vinted make me so cross with things like this. They banned me 'for selling counterfeit items' when I uploaded a genuine (albeit old) designer item on there. I know it's genuine because I bought it in person from the designers shop.
Repeated asks for clarification or what I could do differently next time were met with crap AI generated replies telling me the same advice (which I followed but still got banned) and informing me that selling counterfeit goods was illegal.

Meanwhile it seems that people are making a tidy profit doing exactly that.

yarnwitch · 31/07/2024 12:06

This happened to me with some football boots off eBay years ago. They were really awful fakes and completely different to the ones pictured. I complained and supplied photos but EBay just made me return them.
I didn't want to keep them but I thought by law they should have been destroyed. Sending them back just keeps them in circulation.

iamtheblcksheep · 31/07/2024 11:53

It’s a fake Stanley then

Queenofheart · 31/07/2024 11:41

When buying designer items off Vinted you can pay a little extra to have them authenticated, I did that when I bought a designer belt for my son, gives you peace of mind knowing you have the real deal.

KateDelRick · 31/07/2024 11:41

lanadelcake · 31/07/2024 11:39

@KateDelRick

Many thanks and she really did have a great birthday, despite her old maw's dodgy purchase decision BlushFlowers

😂

lanadelcake · 31/07/2024 11:40

Dinoswearunderpants · 31/07/2024 11:19

That's how vinted works. You don't want the item, you return it and wait for a refund. Did you honestly expect to keep the item and receive a refund??

I expected to get shot of it! I don't want her using it anyway, since the plastic straw is so rough.

OP posts:
lanadelcake · 31/07/2024 11:39

@KateDelRick

Many thanks and she really did have a great birthday, despite her old maw's dodgy purchase decision BlushFlowers

OP posts:
Prinnny · 31/07/2024 11:21

Vinted don’t care, I reported a seller for selling fake Charlotte Tilbury make up and they replied saying they felt the seller wasn’t doing anything wrong! Absolutely ridiculous!

Dinoswearunderpants · 31/07/2024 11:19

That's how vinted works. You don't want the item, you return it and wait for a refund. Did you honestly expect to keep the item and receive a refund??

KateDelRick · 31/07/2024 11:17

lanadelcake · 31/07/2024 11:09

It was really daft, I know.

Oh well, lesson learned. It's a shame about your daughter's birthday, so I hope you still have a nice day.

lanadelcake · 31/07/2024 11:11

P&P was also cheaper with Vinted, than through any other retailers of this product. Ironically I had steered clear of Amazon as there was talk of fakes!

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lanadelcake · 31/07/2024 11:09

Planesmistakenforstars · 31/07/2024 11:09

Why on earth would you buy from Vinted for only a tenner less when you could have got a guaranteed genuine item??

I just assumed people bought from there for a bargain and there's a kind of don't ask don't tell kind of set up with regards to fakes.

It was really daft, I know.

OP posts:
Planesmistakenforstars · 31/07/2024 11:09

Why on earth would you buy from Vinted for only a tenner less when you could have got a guaranteed genuine item??

I just assumed people bought from there for a bargain and there's a kind of don't ask don't tell kind of set up with regards to fakes.

lanadelcake · 31/07/2024 11:09

I've just gone through her reviews with a fine toothed comb. On the surface, it looks like she has hundreds of purely 5 star reviews. Unfortunately it doesn't sort them into 1 star, 5 star, etc.
Dig a bit deeper, and there are a few 1 stars. These reviews speak of fake Olaplex and Clarins products.

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