Not about sales but about shopping



Beware fakes on Ebay

Laugh all you like at the cartoon, but fakes are a very real concern when you shop on Ebay, or on any online auction site for that matter. Whilst it is not always possible to spot a fake item, there are some telling signs that should ring warning bells when you see such auctions:

  • The seller does not have many photos of the item from different angles. This is true for items like handbags. It would be advisable to ask for more photos of the item and satisfying yourself of the authenticity before bidding.
  • Do not assume that if the seller says its “Authentic” it is. This used to be a benchmark but not anymore.
  • The Buy it Now price is too low. Usually, sellers of authentic products do not sell their items for very low prices so this is a clear warning sign.
  • The seller does not offer a money back guarantee. Usually, sellers of authentic items will offer a money back guarantee because they know their items are real and cannot be challenged.
  • The seller has many of the same item. If it is an item that is easily found then its hard to tell if its fake. However, if it is a limited edition item e.g. a limited edition handbag, a seller who has many similar items up for auction should send warning bells ringing.
  • The item ships from China or Hong Kong or Taiwan. This is usually in the case of clothes or handbags or shoes. I have nothing against people from these countries. I come from one that has such a stigma too and I too have been discriminated against. But if the seller puts their location as the USA but ships the item from countries outside, beware.

Fake items are not limited to clothes or bags or shoes. Even makeup and skincare are not spared. So, if you plan to buy something expensive or limited edition on Ebay hoping it will be cheaper, do your research first and make sure you know what the original item looks like. You don’t want to spend all your money and then find out that what you have in your hands are a worthless copy. In the case of makeup and skincare, it might even be damaging to your health.

So, beware fakes on Ebay and shop safe!

This post is part of the Daily Blog Tips Blog Writing Project: Tips and Tricks.

Some related posts:

September 13, 2007 | Filed Under Ebay, Online shopping, Warnings 

comments

22 Responses to “Beware fakes on Ebay”

  1. Tips & Tricks! | My Brain Dumper! on September 20th, 2007

    [...] Beware of Fakes on Ebay by Paris [...]

  2. Blogging with Cents » Did You Tip? on September 20th, 2007

    [...] Beware of Fakes on Ebay by Paris [...]

  3. A Piece of the Action | Nathan Rice on September 20th, 2007

    [...] Beware of Fakes on Ebay by Paris [...]

  4. Random Advice on Random Topics on September 20th, 2007

    [...] Beware of Fakes on Ebay by Paris [...]

  5. Contest Blogger’s picks in the Daily Blog Tips writing project | Blog Contests: Contest Blogger on September 20th, 2007

    [...] Beware of Fakes on Ebay by Paris [...]

  6. Contest Blogger’s picks in the Daily Blog Tips writing project | Blog Contests: Contest Blogger on September 20th, 2007

    [...] Beware of Fakes on Ebay by Paris [...]

  7. The Benefits of Joining a Group Writing Project (Again) | aczafra.com [Web 2.0 news and reviews] on September 20th, 2007

    [...] Beware of Fakes on Ebay by Paris [...]

  8. This and that » Blog Archive » Tips and tricks to learn from on September 20th, 2007

    [...] Sex Tips and Tricks for Both Men and Women by Jae * Beware of Fakes on Ebay by [...]

  9. Who Do You Think Should Win? » Pat B. Doyle on September 20th, 2007

    [...] Beware of Fakes on Ebay by Paris [...]

  10. Tips and Tricks Writing Project | Here's looking at . . . me! on September 20th, 2007

    [...] Beware of Fakes on Ebay by Paris [...]

  11. Personal Growth with Corinne Edwards » BIG BLOG CONTEST - And I am a finalist! on September 21st, 2007

    [...] Beware of Fakes on Ebay by Paris [...]

  12. 122 tips and tricks : Foster Genuine Culture on September 21st, 2007

    [...] Beware of Fakes on Ebay by Paris [...]

  13. Climate Progress » Blog Archive » Some useful, off-topic blog posts on September 22nd, 2007

    [...] Beware of Fakes on Ebay [...]

  14. DailyBlogTips Blog Project : My top 10 on September 24th, 2007

    [...] Beware of Fakes on Ebay by Paris [...]

  15. DailyBlogTips Blog Project : My top 10 on September 24th, 2007

    [...] Beware of Fakes on Ebay by Paris [...]

  16. Top Tips From Daily Blog Tips' Group Writing Project on September 24th, 2007

    [...] Beware of Fakes on Ebay by Paris [...]

  17. Top 10 Tips and Tricks from Daily Blog Tips Project on September 25th, 2007

    [...] Beware of Fakes on Ebay by Paris [...]

  18. Top 10 Tips and Tricks from Daily Blog Tips Project on September 25th, 2007

    [...] Beware of Fakes on Ebay by Paris [...]

  19. » Social Viral Marketing Tips And Tricks J-NE.WS: The “Social Viral Marketing” Weblog: Using Social Media to drive Viral Marketing on September 25th, 2007

    [...] Beware of Fakes on Ebay by Paris [...]

  20. 150+ Tips and Tricks to Make Money Online | Anthony Jude Lawrence Dot Com on September 30th, 2007

    [...] Beware of Fakes on Ebay by Paris [...]

  21. ‘Tips & Tricks’ Tasters | Cyres Matters on October 5th, 2007

    [...] Beware of Fakes on Ebay by Paris [...]

  22. Top 5 Picks from Blog Writing Project: Tips and Tricks | Shivaranjan.com on October 14th, 2007

    [...] Beware of Fakes on Ebay by Paris [...]

Leave a Reply