Steps to take if you received a fake on eBay

Castira's Tips

• Save the auction page and print out a hard copy of it in case the seller removes the pictures from the listing or the listing gets removed by Ebay. Also, keep all emails and correspondence with the seller and keep the original packaging the item was shipped in.


• Contact the seller. Let them know you believe the item received is not authentic and that you would like to return it for a full refund. The seller will most likely ask you to have it authenticated. Gucci no longer does authentications and will not provide a written statement. Often, they will not even verbally confirm or deny authenticity. If you would like help from Castira on this, you can find more information here.
  
  If the seller offers to let you return it for a full refund, but you do not trust the seller to refund, you may want to still file a dispute with Paypal. This way, you have it on the record that you are returning the item to the seller for a full refund. Make sure to take detailed photos of the item before sending it back as evidence of what was received and what is being sent back. Remember to mail it back with signature confirmation and insurance as proof the seller has received it back.
  
  If the seller does not offer to let you return for a full refund, see the following steps.


• For items paid with Paypal, file a dispute and claim with Paypal. You only have 45 days after the transaction to file one, so make sure you do not miss the deadline. Many times a seller will try to delay you from filing one, so that when the time comes, you can no longer open a claim. You may also want to notify your credit card company of the situation and see what they advise. Keep in mind, you cannot open a claim with Paypal and dispute the charge with your credit card company at the same time as Paypal will close your claim.


• Once you file a claim, Paypal will usually require you to submit a written statement of non-authenticity. Since Gucci does not provide written statements, please contact us if you would like Castira to help you. You can find more information here.


• Do not send the item back to the seller until Paypal or your credit card company directs you to do so. Again, if you are directed to send it back to the seller, make sure to use signature confirmation and insurance.


• If you made payment by money order or bank transfer and have trouble recovering your money, you should file a dispute with Ebay. The dispute can be filed between 10 and 60 days after the auction ends. You may also want to report to the local authorities in the seller's area. Depending on the amount of the transaction, you can consider filing in small claims court to recover your money.