fake GHD and OEM products, i feel like the listing i bought was a scam

[shy_shaman_studio]

Hi , I just recently purchased a GHD v Gold, but only checked the listing thoroughly after i bought it, i know it is entirely my fault but i was hoping you could share with me your opinions or advice on the matter. To start with there were about 5 or 6 listings for the same product, same descriptions and around the same price, between 75 dollars and 95 dollars. There were 2 that were nearly the same price, 75 dollarsish and the one i was interested in said under BRAND : GHD and the other that i got confused about said UNBRANDED. All these listings had the same copy/paste for the description and used the same stock photos. Also i noticed that the one photo they showed the mains cable in is round, although they did say new AU plug has been had been attached. another thing they said in the description is this:

This is an original OEM product, which is no longer sold on the official website.   It can not be registered in the system, we provide after-sales service.

Which worries me a bit because they definition of an OEM product is a bit vague, is the whole thing built like the original product or is it a knock off? Will it still work like a GHD or have i wasted my money?

Here is the listing i chose instead of the one hat said the brand is GHD:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/296922142193

I'm really hoping someone can give me some advice, if you read this thank you for your time.

[springyzone]

Okay, I am no expert, okay, but I strongly suspect this is a knock off.

For one thing, it says clearly that the item is unbranded.

When it says that, it means the item is not the brand you might think it is.

I doubt it is a genuine GHD.

The seller isn't even claiming it is.

I thought it might be a seller registered in China, but it is not, registration is in Australia.

But the feedback isn't great.

I don't care that ebay has the spiel about it being one of their most reputable sellers. Always check the feedback, especially the negs, and this one has quite a lot where other people say they received non genuine items. So that's another red flag. A feedback level of 97.6 % is really not that wonderful. A seller with it might be okay but you'd need to check things out carefully first and I'd say this seller fails the test.

Hopefully your item will work okay but if it doesn't, if it runs too hot or is faulty in any way, or not as described in the ad, open an ebay claim immediately.

[countessalmirena · Accepted solution]

It’s a fake. 100% fake.

The price should tell you that, even without all the other red flags. These retail for between 3 and 4 times as much as the ridiculously cheap price on this listing.

OP, even the other - which you said has GHD in the brand specific - is going to be fake. Unfortunately, unscrupulous sellers do pass off the fakes as genuine.

When this hair straightener arrives, though, I’m worried that you may not have luck in getting a refund based on its being fake, simply because the seller has “unbranded” in the brand specific field. On the other hand, the photo clearly shows a supposed GHD box (fake), so I would recommend taking the thing to GHD Australia and getting a statement on letterhead that it’s a fake.

Armed with that, you should be able to make the claim under eBay’s MBG on the basis of its being a fake. eBay may tell you to destroy the product rather than return it.

Under no circumstances would I recommend trying out this product. Electrical or electronic knockoffs are dangerous and may pose a risk to life and safety.

You should ONLY buy one of these from an authorised GHD dealer in Australia - by which I mean authorised by GHD Australia. You can always check their website for a list of the salons / businesses that are authorised dealers of these products.

[sandypebbles]

Everything about what you have said screams scam

Please do not even think about using the thing

At best, it might give you a small zap

Or it might burn down your house

It is simply not worth taking such a huge risk

[shy_shaman_studio]

Thank you guys, i really appreciate your advice. At least I know now for sure now. I very rarely buy branded electronics on ebay simply  because i cannot afford them, even my airfryer is unbranded, so i wasnt really sure what i was doing with this one, but i thought i would try to get an older ghd model and that's why it was cheaper. Silly me.  I've been using my 35 dollar Remington from KMart for the last 6 years but it's starting to kick the bucket and i wanted something that does a better job. Anyway thank you so much for your time guys.