Crap - I think I’ve bought a fake ERGObaby

[Hiphopopotamus]

I know I’m being unreasonable as I’m an idiot. I’m usually pretty savvy so I’m blaming extreme tiredness and baby brain!

I have bought an ERGObaby 360 carrier on eBay, advertised as brand new. I won it in an auction but it was still about half the price of RRP. Since I bought it, I’ve been reading that there are fakes floating about and I’m now thinking it seems too good to be true.

It’s due to turn up over the weekend and I’m just so sure it’s going to be a counterfeit. First of all, what do I have to look for to see if it’s genuine? And if it is fake, how do I go about getting my money back?

If fake then report it in eBay or PayPal

Who will play you in the movie? 😂

Sorry. It might be fine! I bought a brand new shower on eBay for half RRP. Absolutely no idea if it’s fake or what but it’s totally fine. Sometimes you just get lucky.

It's easily done. Check the stitching and the buckles. If the stitching looks wonky and/or the buckles don't have the shell logo then it's a fake. If it is then you can raise a case through eBay. eBay are really good at dealing with counterfeits so you should be fine.

I very nearly did this OP, is it a Sophie La Giraffe one? I bid, lost out and the spotted a review saying it was fake. Check the sellers reviews and see if anyone is complaining about fakes.
As above though, you could have just got lucky!

I’ll be delighted if I’ve got lucky but obviously I want to be sure it’s the genuine thing - most things I’d probably accept a decent replica with a shrug, but baby carriers are different as it’s just not worth the risk if it hasn’t been properly safety tested.

The reviews look good but it looks like the seller has sold just the ergo baby carriers so it’s not like it’s someone who received a duplicate one as a present and just wanted to sell it on or something.

@Braveheart101 that’s a big decision - it’s going to be an epic biopic that’s for sure as this is serious stuff and definitely not a first world problem...

(I do realise that the time to check this all out should have been before I bought it, not now it’s already in the post! 🙄)

Got to The Which website - there is an article /photos about how to spot a fake baby carrier.

Unfortunately some fake ergos are almost impossible to tell. Things to check is the safety label wording for spelling & grammar issue, the stitching and the box.

Best thing to do would be to ask the seller for proof of original purchase.

I can take pictures of my genuine one and you could take pictures of yours, like the buttons, stitches , inside leg bits, bit at top that folds down, buckles etc and compare.

There are quite a few articles online about spitting a fake one - by labels, buckles, stitching etc if you do a google search.

Also you should be able to return it if it is not genuine. It would be "not as described" if it's been described as an Ergo.

*spotting!

Update and advice please!
So I’m fairly sure the carrier was a fake, just due to the price and the subsequent reviews - the seller had lots of them to sell and the whole thing just seemed dodgy. So I sent it back - however the seller refused to accept the delivery of the return. I escalated to eBay who found in my favour and issued an immediate refund which is great. But because the seller refused to accept the returned item it’s on its way back to me! So my dilemma now is should I use it or chuck it?

I wouldn’t use it for the reasons you already said, could’ve faulty or have dodgy dyes that
You wouldn’t want near a baby. I’d either ask the police how to dispose of a fake or just cut it so it can’t be used and bin

That’s great you got your money back. I guess I’d bin it 🤷🏻‍♀️

Were you able to leave a review?

I'd keep it for a few months in case the seller wants it back. It does legally belong to them I guess, seeing as you got the refund. If they contact you and pay postage, I'd send it back.

Yeah you’re all totally right and I knew that really - I just hate waste but it’s not worth the risk. At least this way I know it’s not going to be sold on to someone else!

Maybe a little girl or boy who loves to play with baby dolls. My dd's loved really baby items to use with their dolls, they inherited a baby carrier and would fight over who was going to play with it.

Real*

@NothingIsWrong

I'd keep it for a few months in case the seller wants it back. It does legally belong to them I guess, seeing as you got the refund. If they contact you and pay postage, I'd send it back.

I think this is a good point, I'd be afraid they'd want it back at a later date.

They refused delivery of the item twice - it’s not that it just couldn’t be delivered, it was actually refused by the seller

Well done for doing that op. I hate waste too but it could be dangerous. I would cut it up and chuck it.

If you're going to keep to use as a toy I'd write on it with fabric pen on the inside "toy only - counterfeit item not safety tested."

One of mine used to sleep in our old baby carseat. Used to use it as a comfy seat to sit in when they got home from school. ( Yes really, size 0 seat school child) I think they liked being confined. They have a preference now for sofa over bed for sleeping.

I did the same and bought a fake! It actually worked ok - but you could def tell the difference when it was next to a real one. Can’t believe they can keep getting away with it.