Advice sought- fake Belkin bag bought on eBay...

LFake News on 24/02/2013 - 22:00

Hoping someone in the OzB community can give me their advice with how I should proceed next with an eBay dispute…

I bought what I thought was a genuine Belkin laptop bag on eBay at the end of January- original listing http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251217…

Since I purchased the bag the item has been removed from eBay. After going through the listing thoroughly I've noticed a few errors with the bag model, and realised the majority of the seller's feedback is either private or for small value make up accessories… The alarm bells were ringing!

I finally received the bag on Wednesday the first thing I noticed was that it absolutely stunk of plastic- that cheap plasticy smell. I've had a Belkin bag and laptop case, purchased from JB, and neither of them smelled like this when they were brand new. This arose my suspicions along with a few small flaws in the stitching, the swing tag doesn't look right (Chinese characters, looks like it's been printed rather than a real, original Belkin one), and the inner lining which was supposed to read 'Born in California' saying 'Bom in California' !

I sent a polite eBay message to the seller on Wednesday, which said:
"Dear XXXX …
I was however, very disappointed to find that it was not an authentic Belkin bag, as the listing states. I am sure that you were not aware of this and I will be happy to return it to you ASAP for a full refund if you pay for the return shipping.
Alternatively, I would consider keeping the bag for a substantial discount as I'm aware of how cheaply I can purchase copies of bags.
Please let me know what is your preferred option and how quickly I can expect to be refunded.
If I haven't heard from you within three days I will begin a complaint with eBay and Paypal.
Thanks so much, xxx"

Surprise surprise I didn't hear from the seller until 3 hours after I initiated a PayPal dispute this afternoon.
In my dispute I listed all the flaws I found with the product, my concern that the bag will fail shortly and Belkin will not uphold the warranty, and that I cannot send the item back through AusPost as it's illegal to send counterfeit items.

I requested a refund of $30 (so I'd be paying $5 for the bag… a bit cheeky I know, but I figured I'd try my luck)

They replied to my original message (not the PayPal dispute…) just now and wrote:

Dear xxxx,
Thank you for updating the status with us. All items we selling are 100% authentic and directly stocked from authorized dealer. As a business seller we have provided proof to eBay and PayPal (stocking invoice, product details etc.). This is no point for us to sell fake items and ruin the business. We got many Belkin items and if they are fake, we won't be doing business any longer (We.never receive any complaints of Belkin items authenticity) . But of course, anyone can doubt the authenticity of any items because this is online trading.
Anyway, if you not happy with the product and surely we can resolve the problem by discussion. The best we can do is to offer a 50% refund for your purchase, and you may keep the item. Your satisfaction is always important to us. If you agree with that please let us know so the PayPal case can be closed. Or we have no choice but let PayPal make decision.
Thank you very much for your cooperation and understanding. Look forward to your reply. "

I genuinely don't think it's authentic- but I know I don't have a way of verifying it as it isn't sold in Australia. I've gone through their feedback and items they're currently selling (they've sold 3 of these bags, mine and two others a few days later) and can't find any feedback for the purchase of a Belkin bag- just a few Belkin armbands that have positive feedback.

To me if he's offering a 50% refund straight away he's trying to buy my silence and stop me from taking it further.

I'm happy to keep the bag if I could knock the price down a bit… I don't trust that it will last and know I don't have a Belkin lifetime warranty.

Anyone with experience disputing transactions and obtaining refunds, your advice would be greatly appreciated! (sorry for the epic post, just wanted to make sure I got all the info across)

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Comments

  • josh9787 on 24/02/2013 - 22:05
    +2

    if you file a complaint with paypal. you will likely need to contact belkin direct, either in aus or overseas and provide proof of some sort that they have verified the bag is a copy.
    Usually a serial number of some sort on a fax letter head from the company will do.

    But so time doesnt pass its always a good idea to open a dispute now, and take any further conversation in paypal chat so they can review everything.

    good luck

  • Fake News on 24/02/2013 - 22:19

    Thanks for the suggestion, I'm emailing Belkin Asia now.

    I started a Paypal dispute this afternoon… that's when they finally decided to reply to my message, but replied to me in eBay messages rather than through the dispute message…

    • May4th on 24/02/2013 - 23:42
      +2

      that's not a big issue as they will have access to your ebay messages as well as what's happening in the dispute

      also what is the seller's return policy? if they accept returns you are entitled to a refund within the specified timeframe although you will likely lose postage

  • cdeep0 on 25/02/2013 - 07:21
    -6

    Good on you. FIGHT for your honesty and let the dispute process begin. May GOD give you all the courage you need and start going to Church every Sunday until you win. May all the good souls be your side and make you a HERO overtime!!!

  • exc3113nce on 25/02/2013 - 08:24
    +1

    Counterfeit products are not allowed on eBay, so it will be a serious matter if you are claiming for it. Which is most likely why he is trying to silence you - as he has a history of selling the same product.

    IMO if you think it is fake - and the bag is to the point of not being usable file the claim (with evidence.) However, if you think the bag is usable and you are unsure whether it is a fake, take the 50% off and be on your way- paypal disputes can sometimes take 2-3 months.

    • voteoften on 25/02/2013 - 22:42

      I have found that ebay doesn't give a damn about counterfeit goods.

  • maximum on 25/02/2013 - 09:46
    +1

    Take the 50% this is as good as it is going to get. I have had a PayPal dispute over a fake dsi that I purchased and I had to get a letter from a professional stating it was a counterfeit product. No gaming shop would do this. Nintendo gave me an email to say the serial number wasn't correct and I had an electrician friend sign a letter with all the differences noted. PayPal then sided with the seller (thousands of transactions compared to my 200 or so) and said send it back to them . This would have cost more than the product ( as it had to be registered post). I had all the arguments re sending counterfeit goods, emails from other customers in the uk who's goods had been destroyed by customs there at the same time as mine was ordered. ( went through the Sellers feedback he had obviously sent out a big batch in time for xmas)
    In the future I would say I never got the product and get all my money back that way. PayPal protection is great when you don't receiver goods but was extremely frustrating for something so obviously wrong. it was a hard lesson to learn.

  • ilostnemo on 25/02/2013 - 15:20

    Gee Whiz, he is saying you can keep the product and have 50% off, I'd be all over it.

    His feedback doesn't suggest he's a thief/scammer

    I believe your email is more pretentious than polite.

    Good Luck

  • wayacos on 25/02/2013 - 16:16

    My experience with Paypal disputes is they side with the seller and in the end the dispute is erased from Ebay making it very untrustworthy.
    It is too easy for the seller to manipulate Ebay disputes.
    Good luck.Stand your ground,eventually the shonks will be out of business.
    Regards
    Ray

    • llllllllllllll on 26/02/2013 - 17:07
      +1

      I have a totaller different experience. I found PayPal sides most of the time with the buyer which make the seller very vulnerable and have to be cautious all the time.

  • robbyjones on 25/02/2013 - 22:58

    Cool looking bag for $17.50 delivered. I'd take the refund.

  • Besean on 26/02/2013 - 17:48
    +1

    Ebay doesn't side with the buyer until it is professionally proven it's a fake. I've gone through this, and basically the cost is just prohibitive. Just take the 50% and lesson learnt.

  • strangeloops66 on 26/02/2013 - 21:10

    Cailfornia vs California…almost certainly non-genuine.

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