Suspected counterfeit item

[redjames1234]

I recently bought an item from Ebay (an electrical tool-so needs to be genuine for safety), which was listed as being shipped from the UK. I then received a tracking message stating that the item was being shipped from China, so alarm bells have started ringing.

These tools are manufactured in the USA or Mexico, with parts from other countries, including China, but are not fully manufactured in China. 

I contacted the manufacturer, who advised me to get a VAT receipt from the seller. The seller has refused to provide a VAT receipt and there is no option on the purchase history for downloading one. 

The seller is not responding well to messages (except refusing the VAT receipt) and will not explain why the item is shipping from China or give assurances that the item is genuine. 

I can find no option on the listing for reporting the item as counterfeit, which I'm pretty certain now that it is, as per Ebay guidance. Apparently, there's meant to be a ? below the seller's details to report it-there isn't. The seller has a shop selling multiple items, which I suspect are fake. 

The item now appears to be stuck in Customs.

I guess that I now have to wait for delivery, if it gets through Customs, that is.

Any advice? How do I report it? 

[papso22]

What was the estimated delivery date ebay gave you when you paid?

[redjames1234]

2-3 days initially, then revised to 14/05/26

[redjames1234]

To clarify: 2 to 3 days from the purchase date of 3rd May, so arriving around 6th May from the original listing, then revised to 14th May

[tressygirl]

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@redjames1234 wrote:

2-3 days initially, then revised to 14/05/26

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When you say revised,  are you by chance looking at an identical item being sold again by this buyer,  as that would have delivery dates for that particular item if purchased today.

Your original estimated dates for delivery stand, you'll see these on your order details.

They are only estimates and can be a tad optimistic,  worth waiting a few more days after those estimates, especially if stuck in Customs, but if not delivered after a reasonable timestart a case for item not received.

One tip,  once you open that case if this is a Chinese seller,  you no doubt will be inundated with promises and excuses,  and asking you to close the case.  Do not close the case early,  and if not refunded in 3 days, escalate on day 4, eBay step in and force the refund.

@redjames1234 

[redjames1234]

Thanks.

Yes, the delivery dates are on the original purchase but I know that they are usually optimistic, especially since I don't live in South East England but out in the sticks. 

It's the poor responses from the seller and the liklihood that the item is counterfeit that worries me. 

[tressygirl]

Worry not ! 

When the item arrives and it is counterfeit,  you just follow eBay's 30 day MBG Money Back Guarantee policy, so proceed this way....

Go right of the item in your Purchase History and from More Actions select Return this item. Select the reason Item Not as Described >> Does Not Match Description or Photos. The seller needs to either refund you in 3 days, or issue a pre paid return label for the return of their item. Once the item is received, they have 48 hours to refund you.

If this doesn't happen, you need to escalate to eBay, eBay step in and force the refund.

Listen to no excuses or promises from the seller to close the case early, and do not forget to escalate.

@redjames1234 

[red_magpie]

the delivery dates are on the original purchase but I know that they are usually optimistic,

You seem to be missing the point that what's important on eBay is the latest estimated delivery date stated in the listing and your order.

You have exactly 30 days from that date to use eBay's money back guarantee. Have you actually looked at this? There's a link to it in every listing or see: https://pages.ebay.co.uk/ebay-money-back-guarantee/

If you leave it until day 31 eBay will have no involvement, whatever happens. Your only option then would be to try to get a refund through your payment provider.

[redjames1234]

Thanks all. What concerns me most is that the item is likely to be countefeit and that others are buying from this seller.

[tressygirl · Accepted solution]

If this is the case and buyers open case for item not as described,  too many of those cases will raise red flags to eBay who can then act usually removing item and or seller permanently from their site.

Buyers must open those cases,  to alert eBay to this behaviour.

@redjames1234 

[papso22]

You can open a case for item not received now, which i suggest you do.  Delays in customs are irrelevant when the item location is stated as the UK.

If it arrives before you are refunded and that case closes, you can still open one for item not as described.