DesignerOnline possibly selling fakes

Lbibiphok on 18/01/2011 - 00:54
Last edited 19/01/2011 - 00:35

Hi,

I bought on http://www.designeronline.com.au/ some Gucci sunglasses as a present for chistmas ($110, cheaper than in store but still a fair bit of money).
On the website, they are saying it's authentic and documentation is provided to certify authenticity.
However, when I received the glasses, there was not documentation, no certificate, no official packaging, nothing. The case doesn't look as good as real Gucci cases and the dust cloth is not good quality.
I've also noted some rough edges on the glasses and after wearing them 2-3 times, the branches have become difficult to move. So for me, these are definitely fakes…

I've sent emails to this online shop (which doesn't seem that small…) but they've never replied to me.
What do you think I should do? It's not so much for the money but I just don't like them taking me for a fool and also if they are selling fakes, this is unacceptable!

General Discussion

Comments

samfisher5986 on 18/01/2011 - 01:29

These must be pretty good fakes if you didn't notice it the second you received them.

Here are some details for you to contact the owner and if you get no reply, you can report her for selling fakes etc

Let me know if you need extra information, but its probably not needed.

(the website contact us)
Telephone Contact: (02) 4384 4629
Fax Contact: (02) 4384 4629

(From WHOIS on the domain)
Domain Name designeronline.com.au
Last Modified 05-May-2009 23:24:21 UTC
Registrar ID AUSSIEHQ
Registrar Name AussieHQ Pty Ltd
Registrant Business Lending Pty Ltd
Registrant ID ABN 13109498955
Eligibility Type Company
Registrant Contact Name Sharon Feeney
Registrant Contact Email [email protected]
Tech Contact Name Sharon Feeney
Tech Contact Email [email protected]
- bibiphok on 18/01/2011 - 11:26
  
  Thanks for your reply
  
  I had a closer look and following recommendations found here http://spotfakehandbags.com/fakesunglasses.html
  
  I think they should be real, or really good fakes
  
  I had 2 concerns, first is that one part of the branch was not very well finished and had some cutting edges, and second is that after a few weeks, it's become hard to move one of the branch, but that could be easily fixed by unscrewing the branch a little bit… maybe they are real but the quality of Gucci glasses is not as high as I thought
  
  But my biggest concern was that on the website it was clearly stating that the glasses would come with all the documentation proving they are authentic, but the documentation was not there when I received them and there was no packaging, giving me the feeling these are second hand glasses or fakes… I think this should be clearly stated on the website when a product is not "complete" or has already been opened
  
  Overall, not a serious site, and they are not even answering my emails :(
llama on 18/01/2011 - 07:15

Genuine gucci sunglasses would probably WHOLESALE for double that price.

Are they clearly marked with the Brand, "made in italy", a model number, and eye size on the inside of the arms?
- llama on 18/01/2011 - 09:35
  
  Also… is the model you bought a current Gucci product?
  
  http://www.gucci.com/us/category/f/sunglasses
  
  I'd also say that a lot of fakes are copies of discontinued models - the designer eyewear market releases new models at least every 12 months, probably every 6 months for many brands. They continually release new ones to stop the market stagnating - and that means discontinuing a similar amount
- bibiphok on 18/01/2011 - 11:21
  
  Yes $110 is probably a good price if they are real
  
  I've checked and they have “made in italy”, a model number, and eye size on the inside of the arms
  
  The model seems to be discontinued, I don't mind as they are still quite nice
rack on 18/01/2011 - 07:15

ACCC or department of fair trading is the way to go. Also if you paid via credit card then request a chargeback or if paypal file a dispute. It's simple.

Recently i filed a paypal dispute for a downloadable product. It was rules in my favour. So happy.
- bibiphok on 18/01/2011 - 11:36
  
  Thanks, I'll have a look at the ACCC if they don't get back to me
samfisher5986 on 18/01/2011 - 13:46

Expensive fakes often do look very similar to the original. The only way to know they are fake is by a serial number and the fact that it will last 1 month instead of many years.

I've used $400 pradas before, and you can just tell they are real by looking at them. Maybe you should go into a sunglasses shop and compare?

Either way, there is no reason why you shouldn't get a refund.

If you need additional details on the owner, let me know, but the ACCC etc should help you without her address etc.
pauly on 18/01/2011 - 21:50

bibiphok,

I see that you've attempted to email them, but have you tried calling them? There's a possibility that there may be email issues either on your end or their end?

Also, from their FAQ, they do provide a 14-day satisfaction guarantee. This is not a belated Christmas pressie by any chance, is it?
- bibiphok on 19/01/2011 - 00:33
  
  I'm using their own "contact" system from their website, I've sent them 3 emails in the past month… I can see the history of the emails in their system… so unless their system is not working as it should, which is possible, they should have received my emails
  
  But yes, you are right, I'm starting to think there may be a problem with their system as it doesn't make sense for them to ignore my requests.
  
  It was indeed a christmas present, but arrived on time, it's just that I've been trying to contact them during the past month with no success… at first thought that it was the christmas period so they may be on leave
  
  Anyway, I'll try and call them. In fact, if the sunglasses are authentic, I'm quite satisfied, the only problem is that they sent them without the original package and with no documentation (while it's stating on their website that all products are sent with documentation certifying they are authentic), it raises some doubts that they may be fake…
  - pauly on 19/01/2011 - 01:07
    
    It was indeed a christmas present, but arrived on time, it’s just that I’ve been trying to contact them during the past month with no success…
    
    If you've raised your concerns within the 14-day period of receiving it, then there shouldn't be any questions asked if you want to return and get a refund.
    
    if the sunglasses are authentic, I’m quite satisfied, the only problem is that they sent them without the original package and with no documentation
    
    Odds are, they're probably fake if there's no manufacturer's or authenticity card. If you haven't already, you may probably want to read this:
    
    http://www.ehow.com/how_6162684_can-tell-gucci-sunglasses-re…
    
    If you want a confirmation, try ringing one of your local Gucci stores and ask if all Gucci sunglasses come with an authenticity card.
    
    it raises some doubts that they may be fake
    
    If in doubt, I would certainly return it and get a refund. Losing some money on the postage is better than getting a could-be fake for $110.
    
    Good luck!
bibiphok on 19/01/2011 - 22:29

Interesting, after ignoring my last 3 emails for 1 month, they got back to me after I posted this on ozbargain…

Here is the answer

"Our apologies for the delay. These sunglasses are authentic and the documentation was merely left out when one of our team opened the sunglasses to check them before sending. We do however offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee so if you are not happy with them please let us know and we will send you instructions on how to process a return. Thanks."

I'd like to know if other ozbargainers have bought from this shop and if the same thing happened and they've removed the packaging and documentation and "forgot" to send them…
- samfisher5986 on 19/01/2011 - 22:35
  
  The fact that she isn't interested in proving they are real shows that she wants to get them back so you can't report her. (my guess anyway)
- pauly on 20/01/2011 - 04:29
  
  These sunglasses are authentic and the documentation was merely left out when one of our team opened the sunglasses to check them before sending.
  
  Hmmm.. possible story and mistakes do happen. Bear in mind though that without the documentation, it would be difficult for you to prove its authenticity if you decide to sell it in future.
  
  We do however offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee so if you are not happy with them please let us know and we will send you instructions on how to process a return. Thanks.
  
  If I was in your situation, I'd go for this option. Or if you wish to keep it, I'd definitely recommend that you request an exchange for a new pair with all accessories/documentation included or get her to send you the missing documentation.
- llama on 20/01/2011 - 07:46
  
  The fakes include full documentation - that's one of the "features" of the better Chinese manufacturers.
  
  But leaving it out to check = ROFL what a crock!
bibiphok on 28/01/2011 - 01:30

Same story again http://www.designeronline.com.au/ are not replying to my emails…. will take another month before they send me instructions, then another month for them to process and then never reimburse me.
These guys are so not serious, I wouldn't recommend them to anyone!
I'll contact ACCC after all, we'll see if the glasses are fake…
- llama on 28/01/2011 - 08:01
  
  Take them to a Gucci store (or authorised reseller) and get them verified.
  
  You might have to phone Gucci eyewear and ask them for optometrists who can assist.
  
  The ACCC is NOT going to be able to assist you with verifying authenticity.
  - bibiphok on 29/01/2011 - 07:37
    
    Good idea I'll do that
shopshop on 11/10/2011 - 13:31

I also purchased from Designer Online, 2 handbags. I initially emailed them to let them know that I found the same items cheaper at another online store. They promptly emailed me back promising to price match and refund the difference. Then it all went down hill!!. After waiting weeks for a refund and bags…..neither materialised. I emailed, rang, emailed, rang, left messages, rang, emailed…….got no response from them. In the end it went to PayPal claims……..Do not buy from…dodgy dodgy dodgy!!!
I think there is another website asscociated with them called Carsha. I would not be buying from them either.
llama on 11/10/2011 - 14:39

It is HIGHLY unlikely that a place like "DesignerOnline" would have an account with Gucci eyewear. Designer brands do NOT discount, and are incredibly protective about protecting their upmarket outlets.

So, the question is where do they really source the stuff from?

DesignerOnline possibly selling fakes

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