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eBay Anxiety

Nov 19, 2007 @ 1:28am

Tanya Dziahileva in Chloe I just bought my first thing ever on eBay.

It's this Chloe dress that Tanya D. wore down the runway, except mine has a short a-line hem instead of being a maxi dress.

I'm so thrilled because it was $138, including shipping, and it comes from one of my favorite Chloe seasons.

And yet, I'm horribly nervous.

There's no way a dream designer dress like this can only be $138. What the hell is wrong with it? Why would anyone sell it for the cost of a decent first date?

I guess this is just the wonderful world of eBay, but we'll see. Stay tuned, and let me know if eBay stuff is really that easy to buy, or if I'm going to get a Chloe dress with Kool-Aid spilled all over the front, and no zipper...

posted by Laia

Nov 19, 2007 9:22AM

This happens to me a lot too, my rule of thumb is too never buy anything that comes from Asia (usually a fake) and to check out what other items the seller has. If that's the only one or if all the items are varied then I feel a little better, if they have a bunch of the same designer in a ton of sizes and colors then I assume it's probably a fake and stay away from it. I once bought a short sleeve polka dot cardigan from marc jacobs and once I sent the payment I realized that it was going to be a fake and it was and it was a real bummer.

posted by rachael

Nov 19, 2007 10:38AM

If it is fake there are steps you can take with ebay to report the problem and get your money back. I have had one bad experience with a marc jacobs wallet, but was returned my money and the cost of shipping the fake wallet back. Its unfortunate, but there are so many ignorant buyers out there that they are totally fooled by these fakes. As not only a buyer, but also a fellow seller, the amount of fakes out there infuriates me.

I have had terrific luck on ebay also. I've bought authentic pieces in perfect condition, and also sold great items as well. My best purchases were a Miu Miu brown tote I got before the Miu Miu craze began, and most recently a gorgeous Zac Posen framed bag. There are great opportunities out there, you just have to be careful.

As far as your Chloe dress goes, its a pretty original peice, I don't think its a fake. And if there is kool-aid all over the front, I'm sure a good dry cleaners could fix it right up. It is an amazing deal you got.

posted by jesspgh

Nov 19, 2007 12:42PM

Just so you know, this dress was faked A LOT. I generally won't buy a dress on ebay that I could find on ioffer (which is a safe haven for fake sellers), unless it is from a trusted favorite seller from whom I've already received authentic goods.

posted by jesspgh

Nov 19, 2007 12:44PM

Also, stock photo usage immediately flags to me the fake possibility. I always ask sellers if the photos used are of the item I will be receiving and if they say no then I don't bid.

posted by nadarine

Nov 19, 2007 5:03PM

good call on the stock photo tipoff, Jessphg.

However, Faran, do not let this make you fear ebay! There are wonderful, lovely things to be had with some patience on ebay (opera-length leather gloves for $10!), but the obvious designer pieces should require extra wariness.

Just don't outbid me on the MJ watch I'm craving, k? :)

posted by fashionursta

Nov 19, 2007 5:13PM

I once bought a "marc by marc" dress that I missed at barneys co-op that i became obsessed with. when it came, i was heartbroken because i instantly knew by the label that is was a fake. Out 100.00. I also bought a Fendi diablo bag that i was also obsessed with that i didn't realize was fake until i was cleaning out my closet and came across it (i wore it once). I examined it with a magnifying glass and realized it wasn't even leather! I gave it to my cleaning woman who loved it. Oh well. The best thing you can do is check the feedback of the seller. Everything else I have bought on ebay (i buy a lot of Yohji and Comme) has been real. Good luck Faran!

posted by fashionursta

Nov 19, 2007 5:15PM

Also Faran, you can get your money back through Paypal, if you paid that way.

posted by miss

Nov 19, 2007 6:28PM

definitely a fake!

bcbg, marc jacobs, dvf, stella, chloe... there are lots of these fakes out there.

and i agree with the commenter up there -- check out ioffer because it's is the headquarters for all things being faked right now.

i kid you not, i just found, onlin, ipod nanos that are fakes!!

posted by guest

Nov 19, 2007 6:41PM

funny thing is my roommate just bought a very nice purse off of ebay, only to receive it three days later in the mail and find it was barbie-sized.

word to the wise: always check dimensions.

posted by Angela

Nov 20, 2007 2:26PM

A few things I have learned:

1. Outside of Asia, designer products coming from Canada and Australia/NZ tend to be fake as many of their fabrication warehouses are located there.

2. If the dress is a shorter or longer version of the one represented on the runway, it is usually a fake.

3. Ask the seller for a photo or description of the material/size tag. Fakes generally do not have them as they are manufactured in China, whereas an authentic item will have a material tag that says made in Italy/France, etc...

I've been burned on ebay a few times, but generally, I think it's a fantastic resource for getting high-end stuff for a fraction of the cost.

posted by guest

Jan 26, 2008 11:58AM

I've sold designer items on Ebay, but they usually go for half of the original price (so not $138 for a chloe dress). When I sold it people would ask for a receipt or other proof that it was authentic, so always ask for proof when you are considering buying someone that is designer!

Sometimes the price is too good to be true, but if you really like the style of something you might be satisfied with a fake. If you can't afford the original then you should be content with buying "inspired" items--but only when they are not blatant fakes, selling under the designer name!

All of the stuff is made in China by little children so don't listen to that Harper's Bazaar line of BS that it is worse for the workers.