Fake Perfume from Marketplace Seller on Catch - Refusing to Refund

Hello, I am hoping someone can advise me of what I can do….

I purchased a bottle of expensive perfume via Catch website. as I noticed that the smell didn't last and that there is Chinese writing on the bottom of the bottle. I have an original empty bottle and there are quite a few variances.

I contacted Catch and pointed out I think this perfume is not authentic. I sent photos of the difference between original bottle and their bottle. Catch approached the seller and of course seller assured them it was authentic and provided a certificate of authenticity.

I advised Catch that anyone could have made their certificate, I found the template online! Catch advised me there is nothing more they can do to help me.

I requested a refund as perfume as not authentic, but seller and Catch refuse. I advised Catch that I have since found many reviews about this seller selling fake perfumes and that I am disappointed that Catch are allowing this to happen.

Can anyone please advise what I should do next? The perfume is Alien and it is French. So there clearly shouldn't be any Chinese writing on the bottle. This is only one of many variances.

Related Stores

Catch.com.au
Catch.com.au
Marketplace

Comments

  • +1

    Thank you

  • +6

    Charge back through credit card.

  • Unfortunately I paid debit card

    • +1

      Chargeback still an option for some debit cards

  • +2

    Do you have the link to the listing? Your perfume maybe a grey product, originally destined for another country?

  • +2

    Leave a negative review…..sorry not the response you're hoping I know.

  • +5

    Tell Catch you will report the matter to the ACCC for allowing their platform to sell counterfeit products

    • +4

      catch: ok

    • yes, this… get on chat, raise a ESCALATED ticket . link catch to ACCC website below outlinig your rights.

      insist that catch, as the frontend vendor are responsible and culpable.

      you definitely have the right to return if you are not happy with authenticity - a chinese made french perfume? c'mon!

      be persistent, and id be surprised iof they dont let you keep it with a full refund.

      https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/problem-with-a-product-or-…

  • Yes I mentioned Accc but still nothing.

  • Alien Perfume by Thierry Mugler EDP Spray 90ml for $189!
    https://www.catch.com.au/product/alien-perfume-by-thierry-mu…?

  • The seller has changed their name now on catch and has new reviews.

  • +3

    Yes, you can do a charge back with a debit card. I had to a few years ago with a purchase made when Australian Geographic went bust. I paid using Mastercard debit card, and the bank treated it as a credit card purchase and I received a refund a few months later. Check with your bank, and you'll find there's a form you need to fill out and you'll need to wait for them to make a decision.

    You can also file a complaint with your State's consumer affairs department as the product you received was not as advertised. There will be a filing fee, so depending how much the item cost, you may be better off just writing off the loss if your bank rejects your charge back.

    So many fakes on the internet. Caveat Emptor! (Buyer Beware!)

  • Yes I realise many fakes but I thought buying via Catch that it would be genuine and if it wasn't then they would surely refund.

    I'm really annoyed that Catch allow this to happen.

    Funny how seller has now changed their name on catch

    • +2

      via Catch that it would be genuine

      this means nothing - its just a giant virtual marketplace. Same bullshit with kogan marketplace sellers - and to a slightly less extent, amazon - but at least amazon has 'sold and shipped by amazon options' when you want to be sure.

      • You forgot to mention eBay

        • no - with ebay its exceedingly clear who is the seller - there is no smoke and mirrors for those who dont pay attention

          catch, with OP's example - 90mm alien perfume, the first seller is 'My Perfume Shop Australia' which is the cheapest seller - but there are also literally TWELVE other sellers of varying reputation.

          kogan marketplace, they dont have the 90mm alien perfume, but lets take one of my fav's - Dior Sauvage - which is highlighted with a seller at $242 - which surprisingly was NOT the cheapest of the other 6 sellers.

          similar shit with amazon for more high end beauty products - but i dont think i've ever seen a case where the highlighted default seller for a listing was NOT the cheapest.

    • +3

      Whenever I buy Mrs Muzeeb perfume I buy it from Myer or David Jones. Yes it pains me to pay full rrp but I can 99.9% guarantee it's not fake and my reputation as a good provider remains intact.

      • +2

        same - though i did roll the dice a few times on chemist warehouse for my own stuff and couldnt spot anything with issue.

        I've since converted to Asedos perfume oils instead and happy with it for day to day wear - I cannot tell the difference between the asedos silver mountain water homage and the authentic creed silver mountain water I save for only the most special occasions (literally last used it on my wedding day 6 years ago!)

      • @muzeeb

        Wise man! Happy wife, happy life 😁

  • +1

    news.com.au
    7 news
    9 news
    ACA

    all else fails
    bikies

    • what about taking it all the way to the prime minister?

      oi mister prime ministerrrrrrr!!

      • +2

        hes busy on a floating eating a meat pie and chugging down fosters

  • Jeez, seems like there are a lot of posts about Catch lately. OP I know it's too late now, but in future, take a look at that marketplace seller's reviews before you buy.

    Regardless though, Catch are responsible for the conduct of the sellers on their platform, so they need to more helpful in instances like this. In the Catch Marketplace FAQs they go on about how they curate their sellers and have an elaborate screening process and trust their sellers to provide "excellent customer service". They talk the talk, but can't walk the walk.

    Do what I suggested someone else do last week: start by dropping a review on the Catch Product Review page. A bunch of the recent reviews are about bad experiences with marketplace sellers and the Catch customer reps may be helpful in getting you a resolution. It seems Catch only want to be helpful once you air your grievances publicly.

  • +1

    Report to ACCC and send them the evidence.

    • I will. Thank you

  • Post it on social media and hope news.com.au picks it up as they are constantly looking for these kind of stories

  • -3

    TL;DR

    Kiwi in Perth 🙏

    Try Golden Choice Perth Fresh Market….

  • I thought Wesfarmers would be more careful about fakes after their $1m fine for selling fake MAC products at Target:
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/target-to-pay-1m-t…

    I would contact the distributor of the genuine perfume in Australia, who will be interested in evidence a Wesfarmers business is selling a fake version of their product, via marketplace or not.

    • for selling fake MAC products

      🍔

      • Yeah, I thought that was Hungry Jack's and the Big Jack. They won.

    • wow - that story got more and more wild the further it went.

  • Contact the bank and issue a chargeback. Take photo evidence of product but do not send back by post. If catch want the product returned demand they pay for and provide a courier service. It is a Commonwealth criminal offense to send counterfeit goods via Auspost.

  • What about Chemist Warehouse

    https://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/buy/100419/thierry-mugle…

    It's likely to be grey market but is it still likely legitimate?

    • +1

      Chemist Warehouse is always legitemate. Probably some grey market stock, but that makes zero difference to the quality of the fragrance.

  • +2

    You should contact the genuine brand and advise them they are being ripped off by this Catch seller. Maybe they already know but they have the ammunition to take them down.

    • This is the best advice so far

  • Thankyou all for advice.

    @dirtybigbjelke exactly what I am going to do. Brilliant. Cheers 🍻

  • I'd trust Harvey Norman more than catch marketplace.

  • Can anyone please advise what I should do next? The perfume is Alien and it is French. So there clearly shouldn't be any Chinese writing on the bottle. This is only one of many variances.

    Using this logic there shouldn't be any English on the bottle either. It should be called Extraterrestre.

    It's a grey market product, meaning it was intended for a different market and thus has writing for that market on the bottle. Should have been a bit of a giveaway when you were buying it heavily discounted off catch marketplace. Do you have any evidence it's not a grey market product?

    • Never heard of grey market.
      What would be evidence???

  • +1

    Were these the Chinese characters?

    猫尿

    • No. Is below

      ALIEN e 90 ml-3 Fl. Oz.

      穆格勒异型香水

  • No. Is below
    ALIEN e 90 ml-3 Fl. Oz.
    穆格勒异型香水

    and Google Translate outputs - Mugler perfume.

    I would assume it's grey market product intended for Chinese region.

    • Thanks for this.

      That makes sense. Still a rip off 🤬

      Have emailed Mugler so will see if anything happens. Not holding my breath.

  • For what its worth, I've just unsubscribed from all their emails as a protest in support of your experience.
    I note they didn't bother asking why I unsubscribed - so seems they don't care. Oh well, me too.
    Good luck with your refund and complaint.

    • Aww thank you. Your support is very kind and much appreciated.
      Catch do not give a shite but I have hope!

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