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Original poster

?fake ergo carrier

61 replies

NewYearFestiveCheer · 02/01/2012 11:47

I don't think iabu but just wanted others opinions.

I bought an ergo carrier off eBay but before it arrived a friend told me there was a big fake Market so to be careful.

When it arrived I emailed the seller to ask if it was genuine and they said it was 100% authentic and genuine.

It has a lot of the features of a genuine ergo however the warning label is in one language, it came with a DVD, and the box & DVD say made in china but the serial number label on the carrier says made in India.

Add to that the fact it came in the post from china when the seller is in the Netherlands do you think iabu to ask for a refund?

OP posts:
TandB · 02/01/2012 11:50

You can google the various signs of a fake ergo. There is also a thread on the Natural Mamas forum that has pictures.

Generally, the giveaways are label in wrong place, label in only one language, no serial number, a couple of spelling mistakes on the label.

I got a fake on ebay and had to get quite heavy-handed to get a refund when I realised. If it was relatively cheap and off ebay there is a very, very high chance that it is a fake.

BertieBotts · 02/01/2012 11:56

Ergos are made in Hawaii. Sounds like it probably is a fake - I'd ask for a refund definitely but you may not get one. Sorry :( Might be best to go straight through paypal.

Original poster
NewYearFestiveCheer · 02/01/2012 11:57

It was relatively cheap (relatively - I still think £45 is a lot of money).
The seller said it was genuine but I replied asking for a refund so they sent me a link to a website how to identify fake ergos! Ive asked for a refund again because of the above reasons but I think I might have to get heavy handed too.

OP posts:
fuckityfuckfuckfuck · 02/01/2012 11:58

A lot of the things people now say are signs of fakes can actually be genuine Ergos, just an older model. I know when I bought mine about 3 years ago it came with a DVD and was definately genuine, I bought from an approved retailer.

Original poster
NewYearFestiveCheer · 02/01/2012 11:58

Feel so stupid for suckered in! I should have thought if it looks too good to be true it probably is.

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Original poster
NewYearFestiveCheer · 02/01/2012 12:09

Kungfu - thanks for link it looks really useful :-)

Fuckity - I did wonder if it was an older model as they did used to come with DVDs but as it's 'new' and cheap it triggered alarm bells when I got told about fake ones.

I did consider keeping it anyway but as I don't know what dyes have been used and that it probably hasn't been safety tested I'm going to get one from reputable supplier cause I'd never forgive myself if something happened to dd just because I tried to save £50.

OP posts:
queenebay · 02/01/2012 12:11

if its fake then you will defo get your money back through ebay. You need to put it to a dispute and provide whatever evidence you have. Its up to the seller to provide evidence it is or you will automatically win the dispute

Original poster
NewYearFestiveCheer · 02/01/2012 12:13

I didn't know that thanks queenebay. I assumed I would have to prove it was fake not the other way round.

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BertieBotts · 02/01/2012 12:34

You're supposed to not send them back I think, hang on, I'll find out.

My advice would be to get a refund and get a different carrier. Ergos are okay, but they are overpriced for what they are, you could get another soft structured carrier with more features for less or the same money. (Are they really £95 now?!)

I'll find you some links :)

TandB · 02/01/2012 12:35

If it was £45 new it is almost certainly a fake I'm afraid.

BertieBotts · 02/01/2012 12:59

Okay, for other carriers I'd look at:

Boba 3G - has foot rests which help keep a toddler's legs in the correct ergonomic position
Beco Butterfly - has extra straps to accommodate the fact that a child gets wider as they grow bigger - also comes with an internal harness which makes it easier to use for back carries.
Beco Gemini - if you are small-framed this is an excellent carrier as it the straps can be crossed in the back. However, does not look as supportive for older babies.
Patapum toddler - if your baby is over 6 months and big, or 9 months and small. This has extra straps to prevent back-arching. Does not last as long as they say - my average height 3 year old grew out of it a few months ago, but it is very supportive and is a good budget option.
Connecta - very good for small babies as the base can be adjusted for them.
Pikkolo - slightly more supportive but similar to the Connecta.

My favourite of these are the Boba and the Beco Butterfly. They are both miles better than the ergo, and they come in prettier fabrics as well Grin (or plain if that's your thing :))

Original poster
NewYearFestiveCheer · 02/01/2012 13:02

Kungfu- I think you're right. When I bought it I hadntbheard that there were fakes around. If I hadn't mentioned it to a friend I wouldnt have had a clue when it arrived. I guess I should see it as a lucky escape.
Bertie - I would be v interested if there are other similar carriers. I've currently got a close sling and a lascal m1 carrier but dd is 9 months now and I'm finding the lascal a little uncomfy on my shoulders plus worrying about the crotch dangler position...

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 02/01/2012 13:03

blog.babesinarms.com.au/category/fake-ergobaby-bounty-reported-sites/ For advice on negotiating a refund :)

Original poster
NewYearFestiveCheer · 02/01/2012 13:04

Ooh I'll have. Look at these thank you so much Bertie :-)

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BertieBotts · 02/01/2012 13:08

If you google all of those you will find more detailed information. Make sure to tick "pages from the UK" so you get UK prices. But all of those are cheaper or equal to the Ergo in cost.

BertieBotts · 02/01/2012 13:13

If she is 9 months then I would not go for the Connecta/Pikkolo/Gemini, unless you plan to use it for future babies, either way, the others will be more supportive for longer.

fergoose · 02/01/2012 14:28

open your dispute with eBay and not paypal - but you will probably be asked to send it back at your expense.

You could try clicking the box other in the dispute and type in refund - this sometimes will get eBay to give you a no fault refund without the need for return.

Original poster
NewYearFestiveCheer · 02/01/2012 15:12

I'm going to open a dispute with eBay Later today as I need to get my laptop out and I mostly just use iPhone for Internet.
I read ebays policy re item not as described but didn't see anything about not having to send back so thanks, I'll keep my fingers crossed.

OP posts:
fergoose · 02/01/2012 15:33

At the point where it asks what you want for a resolution you need to tick the box next to other and fill in next to it 'refund'

This will hopefully make eBay give you a no fault refund without the need for return, but this doesn't always work.

What has the seller said about the item?

Original poster
NewYearFestiveCheer · 02/01/2012 15:49

Fergoose I've completed the form and put refund in the box as you've suggested.
The seller sent me an email saying the item is 100% genuine and authentic and said that there have been changes over time eg using organic cotton which might explain why it's not the same as my friend's (I said I wanted confirmation whether it could be fake as it didn't look the same as my friends when I first received it). I emailed back and said I want a refund so they replied and said is it because of my doubts re it's authenticity and to look on this website which presumably the seller thought would allay my worries. I've replied and said why I am not convinced of it's authenticity and said I want a refund.

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Original poster
NewYearFestiveCheer · 02/01/2012 17:36

Well within 20 mins of me sending the form I had a response from the seller saying to send the carrier back (to an address they haven't given me yet) and they will then give me a refund. They said I didn't need to open a dispute they would have given me a refund anyway...
eBay put in the message that if I'm not satisfied with what the seller has suggested then I need to contact the seller with a different offer or if I am happy then to let them know via resolution centre.
I think I'll email seller and ask for address cause if it's Netherlands that's fine but if it's china I don't want to pay to send it back! Aibu? Feel really annoyed I've got to pay to send it back when if it had been genuine I would have been happy to keep it!

OP posts:
fergoose · 02/01/2012 18:08

you should only return to the address eBay tell you to return to - otherwise you will lose buyer protection

you will also need to return trackable with online proof of delivery so could be pricey

Original poster
NewYearFestiveCheer · 02/01/2012 18:42

Oh ok - how do I get eBay to give me the address?

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