Avoiding counterfeit stuff on Ebay?

Posted by: Paul Hutchings on 10 January 2005

Other than the two methods that leap to mind, which are a) ask and b) check feedback, does anyone have any tips on how to avoid counterfeit goods on ebay?

I'm after a few things, one being an Oakley watch (yes I know it's all about marketing but anyway..) and it seems they're cheaper on ebay, but they're at that sort of "midway" price where it seems too high to be a fake but just low enough that I don't quite get how they can do it.

With the vendors I've seen them at feedback is all positive and the listings are for genuine/original goods.

I'm usually quite an advocate of "walks like a duck and quacks" but I'm really not sure on this sort of thing.. any tips?

cheers,
Paul
Posted on: 10 January 2005 by blythe
Ask directly if it is an original or copy - hopefully they will be honest.
Also ask if you can collect the watch - even if you have absolutely no intention of actually doing so - at least you'll know for sure (all being well) where he lives and be sure you'll get the watch!
Read up on the precise model you're interested in - maybe even look at one in a shop so you'll know exactly how it should be pakaged etc. You can use this info to ask the seller more questions that only the owner of an original one should know.
I think most genuine sellers would have no problem whatsoever responding to any legitimate questions.

Computers are supposed to work on 1's and 0's - in other words "Yes" or "No" - why does mine frequently say "Maybe"?......
Posted on: 11 January 2005 by BigH47
You could try to contact one of his previous clients(from the Feedback list). They may not answer unsolicited E-Mails though.

Howard
Posted on: 11 January 2005 by Paul Hutchings
I think I shall just ask the chap.

We're only talking fifty quid and, Oakley being mostly a branding exercise, it's not like we're talking Rolex build quality even on an original.

Seems feedback has to be taken at face value in which case they have enough to be trusted - unless all the crooks scratch each other (feed)backs?!

Paul
Posted on: 11 January 2005 by nor
you can't avoid fake shit all the time. i ordered a dvd of pink floyd on the web, paid, was delivered, was fake, a cheap home made jobbie burned on the pc.(i coulda done it myself) didnt reply to e-mails, no explanation, nothing! and it was a respected seller too.
Posted on: 11 January 2005 by J.N.
Go to a shop - pay the money - get the real thing.

You then have somewhere to go and simple legal recourse; if you are not happy.

I don't get this e-bay mentality. I'd rather pay the money and know I'm getting a quality product that is not dodgy or has been abused in any way.

There is rarely any such thing as a true bargain - you get what you pay for.

John.
Posted on: 12 January 2005 by Paul Hutchings
I must say I do feel more than a bit hypocritcal as I often read the various "is this a scam?" type posts and almost find myself screaming "what do you bloody think" at the screen.

If it were a rolex/panerai etc. I'd be much more hesitant as I agree with most of what you say, I accept the risk is the same, but the potential loss is not.

Decisions decisions Smile

cheers,
Paul