Buyer saying item purchased from me is fake

miss_angie1

Hi,
I recently sold a Tiffany necklace on Ebay and the buyer left me positive feedback stating it's a beautiful necklace which it is. I have just received an email from her saying that she has since found out that it is a fake and wants a refund? The necklace belonged to my friend who does not wear fake ANYTHING. I do not believe the necklace is a fake as my friend spends an awful lot of money on expensive clothing and jewellery and I am double checking this with her to be 100% sure.
If it does turn out that I am correct what should I do. I have over 500 positive feedbacks and consider myself a genuine Ebayer. I know that the buyer cannot now give me a negative feedback but I don't want the perception to be that I sell dodgy goods as that is so not the case.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks

MyUserNamesTaken

I wouldn't refund. After all, you say it's not a fake. Who's to say the buyer hasn't changed her mine and is using this as an excuse? Besides, she's left you positive feedback. Make sure you check with your friend first, mind. If it isn't a fake, reply back to the buyer saying that she is mistaken and you will not be refunding.

Cat72

I would not refund if you are certain the item is real. If they paid by paypal they could try a charge back if it was less than 90 days ago- but the chances of paypal finding in there fair is very little. Pyapl would ask them to give prove thenecklace is fake- which would be a police or reputable jewellers report. If they are just at it I doubt they will go this far.
Some people always suspect everything they buy from ebay is a fake or con, seems sily but its true. They will examine everything a million times when they get it looking for something wrong. Others are just trying it on. Personally I have had something similar where a buyer didnt believe a item was true- I just decided to stick with my gut instinct, the item was genuine and that I had done nothing wrong. I refused a refund and got a neg. I gave them back a neg and moved on.Personally I think this is always the best response if you feel you have done everything right. Not doing everything right is another thread !
I would just email saying that the item was genuine, you are an honest seller and provided the item you advertised and that you can not do anymore than you have.You are on the forunate side that feedback has been left and if a chargeback is attempted come back and ask on here for advice - but I have had a fake chargeback and it went fine.Paypal tolde me they take your feedback rating and history into account- so with 500 and no problems you should be ok.

jenniferpa

I very rarely buy jewelry for myself but I was under the impression that Tiffany and Co didn't make anything that wasn't at least silver. Therefore wouldn't it be hallmarked?

soolin

TIffany is a minefield on ebay. Tiffany was a company who got a lot of press a year or two ago by persuing all sellers listing Tiffany, as they said that either the items were fake or sellers were selling them without resales rights. They also sued ebay for allowing thse sales and for a while the word Tiffany in the listing title meant that the item could not be listed.

http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1090180362167

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/06/22/tiffany_sues_ebay/

http://www.washtimes.com/upi-breaking/20040622-110841-3302r.htm

It is just a thought but I wonder if your buyer has been told this by someone and has decided to claim it is a fake 'just in case'?

Unfortunately though I think if this goes to a paypal claim (assuming the buyer paid by paypal) the buyer is likely to win just because it is a Tiffany item. If you are 100% sure that your friend bought this direct from a Tiffany store (the only legit place to buy Tiffany incidentally) then could you possibly ask if she still has a receipt, that way you could show the buyer it is a genuine article. If however your friend bought it from a different place then it may well be a fake and you will have to refund.

Soo

miss_angie1

Thanks for all of your input and advice guys. My friend has assured me that it is definitely genuine (if only you could see the look of indignation on her face!LOL!) and was purchased from Tiffany direct. I don't have a receipt to show to the buyer to prove this but will not be refunding her. I think they may be trying it on.
Thanks again!!!

littlejaffa

couldn't your freind proove it was bought direct? for that amount of cash it's bound to be on a credit card/bank statement, even if it means going through old copies or asking the bank for another,
my first thought is the buyer had bought it for a special night, worn it and now trying to get their money back.
id want to know how she suddenly found out it was fake, she obviously didn't realise right away if she's left you positive feedback? there are questions to be asked!

miss_angie1

Okay guys I'm all sorted again. I emailed the buyer to state that it is authentic and was purchased in the Bond Street store and she can take it back to check with them if it is authentic. She wrote back to say thank you and that she believes me over the person who told her it was fake. So problem solved.