posted on June 3, 2001 07:55:39 PM new
I have been selling & buying for some time now and am proud to only sell items, I myself would buy. The auction in question was for a Kate Spade purse. I have previously bid on purses that were removed for trademark violations and since I was not notified regarding this item, I felt all was well and was excited about my new purse. I received it on Friday and I noticed that none of the stripes match and there were no "feet" on the purses bottom. There was nothing regarding "feet" in the description I assumed it was there. I also received a matching striped make-up case. I have e-mail the seller regarding my concerns and I e-mailed ebay. They suggested I contact the seller, but I feel, I will never hear from her again.
I was hoping, to see if anyone had any suggestions.
posted on June 3, 2001 08:04:18 PM new
I would pull the sellers contact info and give them a call. Until they prove otherwise you might give them the benefit of the doubt in that they might not have known it was fake. Also since it is a weekend they might not be online to email back just yet. By giving them a call it might straighten things out. I would ask for a refund and try to come across kindly too. If that doesn't work then you can move forward with ebay's safeharbor for fraud, but hopefully you won't need to.
Good luck at any rate.
PS-- also when you pull their contact info that might give the seller a nudge to contact you. Worth a try.
posted on June 3, 2001 08:09:50 PM new
wasn't there a thread here last week dealing with faux kate spade purses ?
You might want to check that out and see if it is the same seller.
or maybe that poster could help you identify what you got.
posted on June 3, 2001 08:12:36 PM new
Don't think it was the same seller. That thread was from someone who's "faux Kate Spade" auctions kept being pulled by ebay.
posted on June 3, 2001 08:19:58 PM new
I went to katespade.com and looked at other auctions. I feel, I have been scammed for $110.00. I could kick myself for being so trusting.
posted on June 3, 2001 08:44:21 PM new
Did the auction say "authentic"? I have noticed quite a few that only say "Kate Spade", no mention of them being "authentic". When the ad does not state the item is authentic, I automatically assume it is a fake.
If this was presented as "authentic" and you can't get a satisfactory response from the seller, you may want to contact the Kate Spade company and let them know the name of the seller and their address. I believe KS is a VERO member. They probably would want to know someone was passing fakes off as theirs, ESPECIALLY if the workmanship is shabby!!!!!
""I received it on Friday and I noticed that none of the stripes match and there were no "feet" on the purses bottom. There was nothing regarding "feet" in the description I assumed it was there.(italics added)""
This has started to become a major problem for me lately, buyers assuming something about an item that I have listed, and then asking for refunds plus reimbursment for return shipping.
I had listed a "bed in a bag" set (sheets, pillowcases, dust ruffle, etc.) that was brand new, a customer return from a department store. Nowhere in the descpiption did it say that it was in original packaging, but in new condition and clean. The bidder assumed that it was in original packaging, got it to their home and then promptly called me to take me to task for there being no original packaging. Was all upset because it was supposed to be a wedding gift, etc. I ended up losing the sale plus $14.00 in return shipping all because the bidder didn't read the description carefully, or didn't bother to take the time to clarify the packaging issue via email. If it was that important why didn't she?
I'm not picking on the bidders, gawd knows I love you guys and you help provide me with something of a living, but please stop assuming things about the items you are bidding on. If you need to know, ask me, that's what I'm here for. IMO it is a part of the customer service.
""I received it on Friday and I noticed that none of the stripes match and there were no "feet" on the purses bottom. There was nothing regarding "feet" in the description I assumed it was there.(italics added)""
This has started to become a major problem for me lately, buyers assuming something about an item that I have listed, and then asking for refunds plus reimbursment for return shipping.
I had listed a "bed in a bag" set (sheets, pillowcases, dust ruffle, etc.) that was brand new, a customer return from a department store. Nowhere in the descpiption did it say that it was in original packaging, but in new condition and clean. The bidder assumed that it was in original packaging, got it to their home and then promptly called me to take me to task for there being no original packaging. Was all upset because it was supposed to be a wedding gift, etc. I ended up losing the sale plus $14.00 in return shipping all because the bidder didn't read the description carefully, or didn't bother to take the time to clarify the packaging issue via email. If it was that important why didn't she?
I'm not picking on the bidders, gawd knows I love you guys and you help provide me with something of a living, but please stop assuming things about the items you are bidding on. If you need to know, ask me, that's what I'm here for. IMO it is a part of the customer service.
posted on June 4, 2001 07:34:44 AM new
Rather than making the bidder email a seller about any assumptions, wouldn't it have been simpler to just put "not in original packaging" in the ad? Of course, if you had a picture of the actual item in the listing, showing it without the packaging, then the bidder really would have no recourse. Other than a chargeback for spite if they used a cc.
posted on June 4, 2001 07:50:12 AM new
You may be right about my not putting "not in original packaging", but I can't think of everything, including the way a certain bidder may be thinking. I do the best I can.
I did have a picture of it on the auction, but I have found that when a bidder starts to make this much of a stink, it's generally better not to fight over it. When they get that unreasonable it's sometimes worth the $14.00 to get it over and done with. My complaint is with the lack of responsibility on the bidders part and making assumptions. If I were them, I'd want to know what I am bidding on before I plunk down my hard earned money. I just don't get it. If I wern't sure but went ahead and bid anyway without asking, I would think that I get what I get and would have no room to complain.
posted on June 4, 2001 11:21:22 AM new
First off, let me say I could probably not tell a Kate Spade purse from a brown paper grocery bag. However, I often buy CDs on eBay, and on a few occasions I've been burned by a seller who sends me a homemade CDR instead of the CD advertised - a copy of the genuine item, as seems to be the case here. As a careful buyer I now tend not to bid on CDs unless I have the seller's assurance up front that it's "Not a CDR." A smart buyer, particularly when buying items that are frequently counterfeited like CDs or designer items, will try to cover all the bases in getting the assurance that what he's buying is the real thing. Without those assurances, the probability is just too high of getting a counterfeit item.
But this item was advertised as a Kate Spade purse. That means it was manufactured by Kate Spade. If it was not manufactured by Kate Spade then it has been misrepresented. Although it's prudent to do so, a buyer should not have to email the seller and ask if an item so-described is "authentic." Along the same lines (and if I am inuiting correctly that all Kate Spade purses have "feet" on the bottom) then the buyer should not have to email and ask if the purse has the "feet" - this is an attribute of a Kate Spade purse, and the purse was advertised as being made by Kate Spade - it should have the feet. The situation is not comparable to sword013's example of a buyer assuming the item came with its original packaging.
posted on June 4, 2001 04:18:28 PM new
Well, I contacted the seller and she stated she receives the Kate Spade purses from a wholesaler and so she has no way to know if they are authentic.(even though she was advertising them as Kate Spade) In regards to the stripes not matching up, she stated she had no idea and in regards to the purse not having 'feet' she offered me a $10 dollar refund. I paid $110.00 for the item.
posted on June 4, 2001 04:44:10 PM new
Ok, here's my suggestion:
Track down the Kate Spade US Headquarters. Call and get the name, phone number and address of the person or the law firm that deals with their anti-counterfeitting measures.
Email this seller to let her know that either she refunds you money or you will send the purse to Kate Spade for authentication (and give the name and address so that she knows you are real). If it is NOT authentic, Kate Spade Inc (or representatives) WILL contact her directly and may elect to purse all legal avenues available to them. It is a federal crime to sell counterfeit merchandise.
Some companies are better than others at pursuing these measures. Some vigorously defend their trademarks. If you send the purse in and it is fake, you will not get it back.
she stated she receives the Kate Spade purses from a wholesaler and so she has no way to know if they are authentic
This is a CLEAR SIGN that the purse is fake and she KNOWS it. That is a line of BS, I buy from wholesalers/ jobbers etc. and I absolutely positively only buy from reputable sources that can guarantee the authenticity of their merchandise. She's trying to pass the buck to the wholesaler. It doesn't matter how she got the purse, if it's fake, it's illegal to sell it.
I know some people are soft on pursuing these matters, but YOU HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ALL REMEDIES AVAILABLE TO YOU. There are tooooo many people selling fakes on eBay. I see many of these auctions. I even emailed one of the sellers to ask about authenticity. If a seller says THEY DON'T KNOW, that's a good sign that it is fake (and they KNOW it's fake) because an honest, reputable, ethical seller will stand behind their merchandise.
posted on June 4, 2001 04:45:00 PM new
Hi Nancy --
I sell high-end nwt handbags, all authentic, and notice this seems to be the new trend in my category. Seller's who claim to be getting their merchandise from "wholesalers," playing stupid, blaming someone else when the merchandise turns out to be fake. It's utter nonsense. Any seller on ebay, who values their reputation, knows where their merchandise comes from, and will guarantee authenticity. Espcially this type of merchandise which can go for high $ amounts.
I would approach the seller once more, and politely, but firmly, ask for a full refund. If she agrees, send the bag back registered mail, with a return receipt requested.
If the seller denies your refund, and you paid by credit card, file for a chargeback. If you paid by a different method, file a fraud report with ebay and apply for their insurance. Granted you will still be out $25, but at least you might recover most of your money. I've been through their fraud process before, as a buyer, and while it did take a couple of months, in the end, my claim was successful.
Good luck with everything, and in the future, always look for a guarantee of authenticity.
*Made a correction
[ edited by julesy on Jun 5, 2001 08:04 AM ]
posted on June 4, 2001 09:39:00 PM new
Buyer beware. No excuse for not asking before bidding. Period end. You can do a search right now on Ebay for Kate Spade purses and after looking at 2 dozen of them any reasonably intelligent consumer adult can see something fishy and determine which ones are real and which are not. Sellers who have authentic Kate Spade (or any other designer merchandise) will clearly state that the item is authentic, original tags and sometimes store receipts or Kate Spade authenticity papers are included and usually have starting bids $75 or higher. The fakes do not mention authenticity and start at $9.95 and usually end between $35 and $55.
Auction fever and the "I just HAVE to have it" mentality is usually what pushes those auctions into the $100+ range I don't feel sorry for the buyer who buys a fake and I don't feel sorry for Kate Spade either.
Kate Spade uses sweatshop laborers in Italy and sometimes Southeast Asia to make her bags at a manufactured cost of around $20 which end up retailing for $495 to $895. Why on earth would Ebay sellers REGULARLY auction off authentic Kate Spades for $50 to $110. Remember Momma's saying about 'If its too good to be true...." Getting a $500+ purse for $110 is too good to be true. The fake Kate Spades and other designer copies are coming in from China and Taiwan and are sold openly on Canal Street in NYC for prices from $25 to $150. I've personally bought quite a few of them off the street and the quality of the good fakes is extremely equal to the real thing that I've seen at sample sales going for $200+. Yes it's illegal. I'm not debating that. But why do you think designer fakes have been selling so well here and abroad for over 20 years? Because women and men everywhere are eager and willing to buy them to impress their friends. This whole underground industry was documented on a PBS show not too long ago. The part that stood out the most was the on-the-street interviews with the women who were buying the fakes. They want them and as long is there is a demand there will be a supply.
posted on June 5, 2001 01:11:54 AM new
Thank you Tapatti!
What is the deal with name brands?
These bags look like Target knock offs!
I am not meaning to offend, but I have never seen 16 pages of anything I bid or sell in where sellers have to SCREAM "authentic" so much!
I pity the honest sellers.
posted on June 5, 2001 02:30:20 AM newThis is a CLEAR SIGN that the purse is fake and she KNOWS it.
I would have to agree with that. Advertise a brand name product, then deny any knowlege of such. Riiight. The seller is responsible, not the wholesaler.
Okay, now let me get this straight. If I say "Kate Spade purse" but I don't say "authentic" then that is supposed to be some license to sell counterfeit goods? Oh, man, has it gotten that bad on eBay? Because that is just sick!
posted on June 5, 2001 07:55:34 AM new
"If the buyer denies your refund..."
Why would the buyer deny themselves a refund?? A buyer asks for a refund, the seller either grants or denies it.
I've never heard of Kate Spade before. I would never pay big bucks for a purse, I prefer $5 purses from Wal-mart and then I can spend those hundreds on other things. To each his/her own I guess.
I sell desginer and upscale acessories and apparel in my retail stores.
As far as I know there is no such thing as a wholesaler for Kate Spade. She has company reps at major shows. They don't sell to every retailer either. Retailers must apply to sell her merchandise. According to the retailer Kate Spade may request store photos, financial statements, trade references, competing brands carried and other info about the retailer's business.
posted on June 5, 2001 09:13:01 AM new
First. Sellers are always talking about buying something at an incredibly low price and hoping to sell it for an incredibly high price. So what is wrong with a buyer hoping to get an expensive item for a low price? A little bit of a double standard here.
Second. I myself would contact the seller through email. This provides a better audit trail. If she will not refund your money, (and even if she would) turn her into ebay and the company that makes the bags. Sellers like this are the main cause for a lot of complaints in this forum. I hear a lot of discussion about disgruntled, hard to manage, and unreasonable buyers. Well, boys and girls, this is the reason. They have been 'stung' by sellers such as this.
