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AIBU?

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Original poster

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:
ATenShun · 30/07/2024 23:11

So the seller who doesn't know you from adam should just accept your word and let you have it for free?

Original poster
lanadelcake · 30/07/2024 23:12

Point taken. But I doubt she has been unknowingly selling fakes.

OP posts:
EatTheGnome · 30/07/2024 23:13

Have you thought about reporting it to the police? Hand the item over and tell vinted its now part of a police investigation, complete work crime reference number, and ask for a refund from them?

Original poster
lanadelcake · 30/07/2024 23:16

I hadn't thought of that, no. Gah, 'buy cheap, buy twice' or however the saying goes.

OP posts:
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.

Original poster
lanadelcake · 30/07/2024 23:21

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.

Her feedback is really, really good. It's the first thing I look at, as I never buy from anyone with poor reviews.
Nor would I have purchased from her if she was selling lots of the same thing at the same time! It's a decent fake, and may pass as the real thing to an untrained eye.

OP posts:
Invisimamma · 30/07/2024 23:25

If you want your money back you return the item. That's vinted policy, it protects both the buyer and the seller. Otherwise everyone would be claiming items were fake and then getting to keep them for free

Invisimamma · 30/07/2024 23:25

If you want your money back you return the item. That's vinted policy, it protects both the buyer and the seller. Otherwise everyone would be claiming items were fake and then getting to keep them for free

Original poster
lanadelcake · 30/07/2024 23:28

Ok, it seems I'm being unreasonable. Thanks for your thoughts everyone 👍

OP posts:
Stanleycupsarecool · 30/07/2024 23:33

I bought a fake item reported it, got my mom back and got to keep the item 😬

Original poster
lanadelcake · 30/07/2024 23:35

Let's just say that your username is weirdly coincidental ...
Grin

OP posts:
UnfriendMe · 30/07/2024 23:55

Can't you just tell them you want to return the item? I had a similar experience with a similar site a few years ago. I bought what was meant to be a genuine Stella McCartney bag and once it arrived I could immediately tell it was a fake. I told them I wanted to return it bc it was a fake and provided some pics and they immediately refunded me the money before even sending it back. I asked the woman for her address to send it back every day for about 2 weeks with no response and finally just said fuck it and kept the bag. Still got to keep the money though.

Original poster
lanadelcake · 30/07/2024 23:58

UnfriendMe · 30/07/2024 23:55

Can't you just tell them you want to return the item? I had a similar experience with a similar site a few years ago. I bought what was meant to be a genuine Stella McCartney bag and once it arrived I could immediately tell it was a fake. I told them I wanted to return it bc it was a fake and provided some pics and they immediately refunded me the money before even sending it back. I asked the woman for her address to send it back every day for about 2 weeks with no response and finally just said fuck it and kept the bag. Still got to keep the money though.

The seller decides whether they just refund you with no fuss, or whether they want the item back.
My seller decided that she wanted the item back. So it's out of my hands if I want my refund.

OP posts:
Original poster
lanadelcake · 31/07/2024 00:01

There was no immediate refund in this case.

OP posts:
HollyKnight · 31/07/2024 00:02

I had this recently! The seller swore it wasn't a fake but I know this type of bag well and listed all the reasons I knew it was a fake. She sent a snippy message about my ridiculously high standards (if expecting a designer bag to be genuine is a "high standard" then yes I do have high standards), but then she sent me a returns label so it cost me nothing.

I would tell your seller to send you a returns label seeing as it is her fault that the bag is not as described. If she says no, I would get Vinted involved.

Original poster
lanadelcake · 31/07/2024 00:03

To be fair, she is paying for the return. It's still a hassle but really it's just one of those things.
It just annoying when you buy something in good faith.

OP posts:
HollyKnight · 31/07/2024 00:08

Oh then YABU. You won't be out of money. They give you time to return it so you won't be that inconvenienced. I didn't even print the label out myself. I just took it to the counter and had the worker scan the QR code. It took minutes.

Colinthecaterpillarstrikesagain · 31/07/2024 00:08

lanadelcake · 31/07/2024 00:03

To be fair, she is paying for the return. It's still a hassle but really it's just one of those things.
It just annoying when you buy something in good faith.

I think you knew it wasn't genuine based on the price esp as you have bought hundreds of items on Vinted. You were hoping to get a refund AND keep it for free.and are now miffed it hasn't worked out as expected.

HollyKnight · 31/07/2024 00:09

It is annoying though how much fake shit is on Vinted.

Original poster
lanadelcake · 31/07/2024 00:11

I think you knew it wasn't genuine based on the price esp as you have bought hundreds of items on Vinted. You were hoping to get a refund AND keep it for free.and are now miffed it hasn't worked out as expected.

Not true. I would NEVER want to cause my child disappointment on her birthday.

OP posts:
Fannyfiggs · 31/07/2024 00:20

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.

Alright mystic meg, what are the lottery numbers for this week 😂

LoobyJoo · 31/07/2024 09:21

Yeah just return it and get your refund...

malmi · 31/07/2024 10:20

Stanleycupsarecool · 30/07/2024 23:33

I bought a fake item reported it, got my mom back and got to keep the item 😬

I'm glad you managed to patch things up with her, wasn't worth falling out over x

GoldenRetrieverBert · 31/07/2024 10:27

Invisimamma · 30/07/2024 23:25

If you want your money back you return the item. That's vinted policy, it protects both the buyer and the seller. Otherwise everyone would be claiming items were fake and then getting to keep them for free

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

GoldenRetrieverBert · 31/07/2024 10:28

LoobyJoo · 31/07/2024 09:21

Yeah just return it and get your refund...

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