Fake item received - correct procedure for refund without returning the item?

[ogandco]

Hi, Purchased a watch that turned out to be fake. I am reluctant to return the item, as i do not want someone else to be scammed, on ebay or elsewhere.

I've had several chats with online ebay chat, all giving conflicting information, but all pushing me to return the item, which i'm reluctant to do.

The latet version from ebay chat is;

1. Get proof/documentation from a watchmaker that the item is fake, and contact/provide ebay with this info.

2. I will then be asked to sign a stat dec, stating the item will be destroyed/not resold

3. ebay will review and confirm all documentation etc., and provided they are happy, will refund me the amount.

The scary part is chat said they recover the money from the buyers account and they have placed the money on hold. is this correct? i would expect the seller has already withdrawn or spent the money by now.

Thanks

[digital*ghost · Accepted solution]

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@ogandco wrote:

Hi, Purchased a watch that turned out to be fake. I am reluctant to return the item, as i do not want someone else to be scammed, on ebay or elsewhere.

I've had several chats with online ebay chat, all giving conflicting information, but all pushing me to return the item, which i'm reluctant to do.

The latet version from ebay chat is;

1. Get proof/documentation from a watchmaker that the item is fake, and contact/provide ebay with this info.

2. I will then be asked to sign a stat dec, stating the item will be destroyed/not resold

3. ebay will review and confirm all documentation etc., and provided they are happy, will refund me the amount.

The scary part is chat said they recover the money from the buyers account and they have placed the money on hold. is this correct? i would expect the seller has already withdrawn or spent the money by now.

Thanks

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That's all fairly standard procedure when dealing with fake items (PayPal will ask for similar documentation from an authorised source, and will also require evidence of the item being destroyed - you can start to understand why this process in place when you see old stories around the internet of 100% genuine items being claimed as fake without verifiable proof. One particularly infamous case resulted in a unique violin worth several thousand dollars being destroyed because the buyer just assumed it was fake, so no matter how sure you are, they will require this as proof now, especially if the buyer doesn't want to return the item). 

Whatever the seller may or may not have done with the funds, a refund will be provided if the documentation etc is submitted to eBay. If the balance was still in the seller's account, then that will be put on hold / debited. If it isn't, their account will have a negative balance and they will be required to pay it back. 

[ogandco]

Thank you, appreciate the response. It took a while and a few goes to get the exact procedure locked in from the info ebay chat was providing. Cheers. 

[kaibacorp*]

" I am reluctant to return the item, as i do not want someone else to be scammed, on ebay or elsewhere."

Unfotunately, there seems to be an extremely large number of fakes/counterfeits on eBay.

Because of this, I see no issue in returning the watch. There's an unlimited supply of counterfeits. 

[ogandco]

if it was a $100 fashion watch, i would probably agree, however this was a very, very good copy of a high end swiss watch, right down to the engraving on the rotor of the automatic movement. One less of these floating around is a good thing.

[lyndal1838]

If you insist that you don't want to return the watch you may not get a refund.  Refusal to return an item is looked on with suspicion that the buyer wants the item and the refund.

You either return the item or you arrange for the paperwork and stat dec if that is what is asked for.

[ogandco]

Appreciate all the responses. The decision not to return has been made, and i'm happy to go through the paperwork. This is not a Kuta Beach knock-off, it's a very good fake that will only becomne someone elses problem in time, so all the better if I can stop that from happening. Cheers.

[*tippy*toes*]

Please keep us posted.

[lyndal1838]

I see tears ahead.