Can You Trust the Seller?

On the Internet, since you cannot touch or smell the item, you have to rely on the auction's description, photos and the seller's word. Check feedback from previous buyers. Has the person been accused of selling anything fake? If so, ask both the seller and the buyer about it. Some sellers are unfairly accused, so don't take these statements as gospel.

Have you seen auctions where the seller disavows any knowledge of authenticity? They do so by saying things like: "Received as a ___ (you fill in the blank with Birthday, Christmas or Anniversary) gift"; "Cannot guarantee authenticity" (I wonder why they would post an item for auction without having it authenticated); "Found in ___ (you fill in the blank with mother's, grandmother's, aunt's, sister's, neighbor's or girlfriend's) closet or attic or basement"; "Bought at the estate sale of a wealthy woman but I don't know much about these bags"; "It has all the markings and looks authentic to me" or, "To the best of my knowledge, it is authentic." Give me a break! Be sure the item is authentic before listing it!

A copy of the receipt is nice, but big deal! A copy is just that — a copy. Crooks do go to the trouble of duplicating receipts. Because of all the trading online, I do not usually expect to see a receipt unless the seller claims it is a recent new purchase. Sellers of fakes will sometimes buy one real item to duplicate the receipt for each unsuspecting buyer of their fake merchandise. Throw in an original receipt from the retailer. That might impress me!

Do online business with reputable sellers. I check feedback, what the seller customarily sells and who tends to buy from them (as in other known sellers or buyers of authentic merchandise). Also, factor in a "money back guarantee" and how responsive the seller is to your inquiries before the sale. It is only fair to add that there are sellers of non-authentic goods with great feedback who probably have no clue that they are selling counterfeit items. Fortunately, after reading this guide, you will!

Each auction has its own elements and must be evaluated on its own merits. I recommend avoiding sellers of multiples of the same item unless they have proven integrity. Be cautious of low- or zero-feedback sellers; sellers with low feedback holding private auctions; sellers who do not state authenticity and auctions that show white tissue and tape over the hardware.

Unless you are certain about the seller and the item, be sure to find out when and where the item was purchased, the date code, money-back guarantee of authenticity, etc.

And ask about any undisclosed defects including spots, stains, tears, odors or non-working parts or other areas needing repair.

There is good reason to be cautious of "zero-feedback" sellers and those with hidden feedback, if you do not know who they are. I am especially wary of these sellers when they hold "private" auctions. Call it paranoia, but it is possible to "shill bid" (bidding on one's own auction, or having someone they know bid on it, to raise the price) and we unsuspecting bidders would never know. You make the call, but do not skip any steps in asking pertinent questions before bidding. Visit www.mypoupette.com/tips5.html for a list of important questions to satisfy. Sellers with good feedback are proud to show it!

Most auction sites offer some form of protection only if the transaction is completed through their site. Many sellers (usually non-legitimate) send unsolicited emails trying to sell similar goods, often for a lower price. If you accept these goods, you will have little or no recourse in recovering your money if it is not what you expected. Beware of bidding on an item without a photo or if it has poor photos, unless you trust the seller. If photos are too dark, distant, unclear, or simply do not show you what you want to see, ask for more or better ones.