topic Re: Returning a counterfeit item in Member To Member Support

Returning a counterfeit item

blueboarders — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 23:00:02 GMT

I need to return a counterfeit item to get a refund but I’m not comfortable with returning an item that I am sure will just get relisted and will on another buyer. What do I do?

Re: Returning a counterfeit item

**peaseblossom** — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 23:33:09 GMT

Open a return using that reason ( I think it's "Doesn't seem authentic") and follow ebay's instructions.

Re: Returning a counterfeit item

tressygirl — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 06:41:42 GMT

@blueboarders wrote:

I need to return a counterfeit item to get a refund but I’m not comfortable with returning an item that I am sure will just get relisted and will on another buyer. What do I do?

Your concern is valid and understandable, but under eBay rules you do have to return the item, if the seller requests this, to receive a full refund.

Should they relist and again a case is brought for item not as described, this will raise red flags to eBay, they could investigate and bring sanctions to selling for the seller.

@blueboarders

Re: Returning a counterfeit item

red_magpie — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:32:27 GMT

The reason that eBay requires buyers to return suspected counterfeits is that they normally accept the buyer's word that an item is fake. But without proof of this they can't require sellers to refund buyers without getting their items back. If they did, there are plenty of buyers who would claim that items are counterfeit just to get them for free.

There used to be a system whereby eBay would authorise the buyer to destroy a counterfeit if they provided eBay with an independent report confirmng this. It was almost never used as it's so much quicker and easier just to get a prepaid return label and return it under the money back guarantee. I don't know whether it even still exists. Read the full money back guarantee policy, if you can't find it you could contact eBay customer support to ask.