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Original poster

Think I've been duped, argh

33 replies

snottagecheese · 25/08/2013 09:22

On Friday I bought a "brand new" Ergo sling for what seemed a great price, and patted myself on the back for nabbing a bargain. Since then I have discovered to my horror that there is a huge market in fake Ergos. Now I think it must be a fake because of the price (it was a buy it now, not bought at auction), plus what I thought was a photo of the actual sling laid out on someone's table is most probably just a stock photo, as I've seen it on two other listings - one of which is definitely a fake, as the price is just ridiculous.

So, what do I do? I need to actually receive the thing first, I guess, but apparently the fakes are very good so I'm not sure how I'm going to be able to prove anything - it will probably look very similar to a real one, and I can't afford to buy a real one just to be able to compare the two. The seller does do refunds, but that will mean paying postage twice (£20), which if this is a fake, I don't feel I should have to do. Do I contact eBay so that I can get full postage refunds - and should I keep the 'fake' so it can't be resold? But how can I prove it IS a fake? The seller had 99.8% positive feedback over nearly 1500 ratings so I figured that meant they were reliable, but I guess it doesn't... Argh, I am so naive/un-Ebay savvy!!

OP posts:
LilyBossom · 25/08/2013 10:38

Tell the seller not to send it, say you have changed your mind.

And it won't cost £20 to return anyway will it? How come they are charging £20 to send a sling? If it arrives just open not as described case and ebay will tell you to return it (use My Hermes or Collect + if under 2kg, will cost £4 odd) and then you will get a full refund of everything you have paid including the original postage.

cathan · 25/08/2013 10:46

I bought a DVD once which was definitely a fake. When I queried this with the seller they gave me a refund! Because of that, I didn't shop them to Ebay (which I probably should have done) but, on the plus side, I didn't end up paying for a fake. When you get the sling, have a really good look at it and see what you think. If you think it's fake, why not contact the seller and see what they say. You don't HAVE to return it if it would cost too much. Also the seller may be reluctant to have you leave bad feedback (or officially complain to Ebay) especially if they're knowingly selling fake goods! Hope this helps.

Original poster
snottagecheese · 25/08/2013 10:49

No, I meant £20 total - the cost is £10 each way by signed for mail (it's - supposedly - in a box, which I guess bumps the size and therefore the cost of the postage up). I did think about asking them not to send, but then I just have to rely on them to refund me, don't I, which seems a bit iffy. In a not as described case, don't I have to provide evidence to eBay? A full refund would be great, but surely it's not as easy as that... is it?

OP posts:
LilyBossom · 25/08/2013 10:58

I can't imagine why it would cost you £10 to return it - but you must return with a signature to get your refund. You give ebay the tracking info and they ensure you get your money back. And yes it is that easy. Ebay will generally always side with the buyer.

But if your seller has not sent it yet then just ask them not to dispatch it. And if it arrives you can refuse delivery at the door - it will be returned to the seller and then you can file a not received case and get your money back that way - no hassle or cost of a return then.

NatashaBee · 25/08/2013 11:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

amistillsexy · 25/08/2013 11:04

I would contact Ergo and ask them if this supplier is genuine. They may refund you and take the sling in order to catch the fakers.

LilyBossom · 25/08/2013 12:14

you won't need to contact a supplier - you just need to cancel the sale now, or refuse the delivery when it arrives. Then file not received with paypal and get your refund.

LilyBossom · 25/08/2013 12:16

And if your seller sold it for £50 then they already have negative feedback stating they sold a fake baby carrier before.

Original poster
snottagecheese · 25/08/2013 20:09

Right, I have emailed the seller saying: I'm afraid I don't think it's genuine - it would be great if you can provide evidence that it is, but if not please refund me in full and don't dispatch. Fingers crossed she'll do that quickly and that'll be the end of it. And yes, LilyBossom, you're right - she does have one negative feedback for selling a fake baby carrier back in April, plus another from further back for selling a 'non-genuine' item, though it doesn't say what it was, and apparently the seller 'wasn't aware'. Well she bloody is now! I've also seen that she's put another identical listing up for the Ergo as the one I bought from, so she obviously has a job lot. I should wait till I'm refunded and then report her/it, right?

OP posts:
ffsx2 · 25/08/2013 20:31

How can you report her for an item you haven't received to judge for sure it's fake?
LilyB: why couldn't seller report the OP as a non-paying bidder?

Original poster
snottagecheese · 25/08/2013 20:43

I wouldn't report it as fake, I would report it as possibly fake, worthy of investigation. What would you think, LilyB, given the following: The seller has sold fakes on at least 2 occasions in the past; she is selling an item with NO photos of the actual thing itself, only using stock photos that anyone can copy from a Google search, and with no written info other than the material it's made from, carrying positions, etc. The price (£50) is 50% of the RRP, yet it's apparently brand new and boxed, yet even used Ergos have regularly been fetching £60+ at auction (I've been watching sales over the past few days). If it was real, surely the seller would be selling at a much higher price, with proper photos and info.

OP posts:
Original poster
snottagecheese · 25/08/2013 20:44

Sorry, not LilyB, I meant what would you think, ffsx2?

OP posts:
Original poster
snottagecheese · 25/08/2013 20:46

Also, ffsx2, I have paid. Which is why I'm particularly worried about having paid for a fake.

OP posts:
LilyBossom · 25/08/2013 20:49

Just don't accept the delivery when it arrives, then file a not received with Paypal, escalate straight away and you will get your refund (as long as you don't sign for the parcel).

But I would still tell the seller you have changed your mind and ask for a refund now, rather than you refusing the delivery and the seller having the unnecessary expense of posting the item.

lljkk · 25/08/2013 21:48

That's what I wonder, how can OP say she changed her mind?
To receive the item and then judge a fake, buyer could open SNAD.
But can buyers really change their minds after an item has been posted, incurring seller the postage costs, just because they changd their mind.? I'm surprised sellers can't report buyer for that.

(then again, I shouldn't be surprised by anything Ebay does in treating sellers badly)

LilyBossom · 25/08/2013 21:54

the buyer can tell the seller they want to cancel the transaction now - and if the seller queries it they say they think the item is fake. No point lying about it is there. Just ask for a refund and buy elsewhere.

lljkk · 25/08/2013 21:55

Okay, but if seller insists item is genuine, why can't seller report the buyer? When does Ebay let a buyer change their mind?

LilyBossom · 25/08/2013 22:05

Well a buyer has 45 days since purchase to raise a dispute so that long really to change their mind.

Original poster
snottagecheese · 25/08/2013 22:16

Well it's not that I've simply changed my mind, though, is it? I have, but only because I think it's fake. I would be delighted if it isn't, because I really want the item, but I don't want a counterfeit version of it. It's not as though I've just thought, 'Oh, I don't fancy that any more...'

Maybe I am being unreasonable - I'm genuinely interested to know if others think so. Given the info I provided above re the price, lack of real photos, the fact that the seller has sold fakes in the past - what do people think?

OP posts:
LilyBossom · 25/08/2013 22:19

I wouldn't buy it - stock photos is enough to put me off plus unrealistic price.

have you asked the seller to not send it and refund?

Original poster
snottagecheese · 25/08/2013 22:25

Yes, LilyBossom, I have. Waiting on a response now...

OP posts:
Original poster
snottagecheese · 25/08/2013 23:24

Also, to lljkk - the item hasn't been posted yet, so the seller won't incur any postage costs. I've just asked her not to send.

OP posts:
Original poster
snottagecheese · 26/08/2013 10:56

OK, it is definitely a fake. I noticed that in the photo (a stock photo, but presented as though it was the actual carrier being sold, so I have to assume they look the same) that the straps attaching the sleep hood to the body of the carrier are black, whereas in most photos I've seen of the carrier they are grey. I contacted Ergo direct who have confirmed that they have never made that version of the carrier with black straps. I also contacted the eBay member who had been sold a 'non-genuine' item by this seller, who emailed back to say she'd bought a very obviously fake Little Life backpack with reins, and was glad I'd been in touch as this seller is obviously selling fakes - not just a one-off, genuine mistake. Also, these are baby/child products where safety is a real issue - what if the reins had snapped while the child was running into the road? What if the carrier straps break while I or anyone else is carrying a baby? She, and her fake products, are a liability.

This morning I got an email saying she's dispatched the carrier, and thus has totally ignored my message asking about the genuineness (sorry, I know that's not a word - too angry to think of the proper one!) of the carrier. So, what do I do now? Refuse delivery and lodge a 'not delivered' complaint, then report the fake? If I'm not in when they deliver, though, one of the neighbours may well accept delivery - they often do, and we live in a long terrace and I don't know them that well, so can't really go to each and every one explaining the whole story! If a neighbour accepts the parcel I guess I return it and then lodge a 'not as described' compaint. Or should I report it right now to eBay and see what they advise? The thing is, her page says she accepts returns, so by despatching despite my request not to, she is now going to have to pay the postage both ways as well as refunding me the money. And she must know I'm going to report her now. Argh!

Anyway, any advice about how to proceed now would be VERY gratefully received...

OP posts:
aladdinsane · 26/08/2013 11:03

why not ring trading standards and ask their advice
Complain to ebay- not as described and you will get a refund, they always support the buyer not the seller

LilyBossom · 26/08/2013 12:20

ok wait - do not open a dispute yet

If the item arrives and you refuse it then file a not received - and be careful what you sign for

If a neighbour accepts it do a not as described case

do not panic - it will be fine. And there is no point reporting it to anybody yet, wait and see if you get it first.