Terrific, but be careful when buying expensive items.
Written: Dec 21 '04
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I love shopping -- maybe a little too much. So when I found eBay four years ago, I thought I was in shopping heaven. Millions of items to choose from, at all price points, including designer clothing and accessories! Woo hoo!
Not so fast...
When shopping on eBay, especially for high-ticket items, you have to be extremely careful. Despite the fact that eBay doesn't allow auctions for counterfeit merchandise, this self-proclaimed "venue" is rife with them. There are literally hundreds of auctions for fake Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Gucci, and other high-end designers. From handbags to shoes to clothing -- even brands you wouldn't think anyone would counterfeit.
Don't get out your wallet yet...
First, it's important to understand that eBay is a community-policed auction venue. It's up to buyers and sellers to report suspicious auctions, but they're not always reported or pulled from the roster. There are, however, a few ways you can protect yourself.
When purchasing Louis Vuitton, for example, you can look for the "My Poupette" logo in the seller's auction. This usually signifies that the seller belongs to an informal group of sellers who have banded together to make sure their auctions are ONLY for authentic goods. It doesn't always guarantee online satisfaction, but it's better than diving in uncharted waters alone.
Look closely at the seller's feedback. A feedback percentage of 98% is usually my cutoff. Any lower than that, especially if they have a low feedback total (100 or less) is a good indication this seller isn't doing their job. And specifically read all of the seller's negative feedback comments -- if there are any comments that suggest the seller is listing fake designer goods, RUN like the wind and find another seller.
Look closely at the auction photos. Good sellers use good photos, and sometimes lots of them. If you're not sure, ask the seller for more photos. Again, a good seller will be more than happy to oblige.
Look at the payment methods accepted. Western Union only? Cash or money order only? Again, I wouldn't take the bait. When purchasing expensive goods, you want a safety net -- most reputable eBay sellers accept balance transfers and/or credit card payments through Paypal, an online payment service that's now owned by eBay. Wherever possible, use a credit card through Paypal so that you not only have Paypal's buyer protection, you have your credit card company's protection too.
Lastly, common sense comes into play here, too. Remember the old adage -- "If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is." You won't find any real steals on eBay in the high-end designer market, so if you see a hot sold-out-everywhere $1000 Christian Dior purse listed for $100, chances are, it's a fake.
Ebay is a great way to shop, but being a savvy customer will save you a lot of headaches later on.
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? High end designer purse
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Epinions.com ID:
csott
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Location: Maryland, USA
Reviews written: 27
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Shopping, cooking, reading, and art. What else is there to do?
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