Nothing feels worse then the dropping feeling in your chest when you go from elation (from getting your item) to devastation (from finding out you just paid for a fake Christian Audigier.)  Sellers who sell fake items hurt everyone, including authentic Christian Audigier sellers like myself.  I want buyers to feel safe on eBay so I can continue to provide authentic Christian Audigier! 

This guide will help you deal with your seller, Paypal, and Ebay.  Follow these steps and you will get justice.

1.  Make sure it is a fake

What criteria are you using to determine the item is fake?  I know Audigier like the back of my hand, and can tell in an instant when I see a fake Audigier.  You probably can too, but it will help the process if you get a few specifics for why you know it is a fake.  You can check the guides on eBay for more ideas—This guide is intended for those who already know they have a fake.  You may also want to take a look at some of my listings to see what authentic Audigier should look like.

2.  Hold on to Everything

Keep the invoice they (should have) sent with the item.  Keep the packing materials and all messages between yourself and the seller.  You should make sure to back them up to your desktop.  You can do this by clicking the checkboxes next to the messages and clicking "Save To Desktop" at the bottom of the My Messages window.

3.  Send seller an e-mail AND a message through eBay

This is your most powerful tool--Contacting the seller.  A seller with any experience at all will know that you have a lot of tools to get your money back, and most sellers should respond to a polite plea for a return.  Try something like this:

I wanted to thank you for your quick shipping, I got my item today!  Unfortunately, I was disappointed to find that the item is not authentic!  I'm sure you were not aware of this, but the item is indeed a fake.  Please give me the address to return the item to and let me know when I can expect a refund for my purchase.  Thank you.

Resist the temptation to be rude, make threats, or leave negative feedback.  If you start out by leaving negative feedback you (a) lose one bargaining chip in getting your refund and (b) may make the seller angry and much less likely to work with you.  Leaving negative feedback is your choice, but doing so as a first move is never a good idea.

4. Seller Response

If the seller does not respond or does not agree to a refund, send another message with a little more force behind it, such as:

Thank you for taking the time to respond, however I am going to have to insist that you accept a return for this item.  As you know, selling inauthentic items is both against eBay policy as well as the law--it is a felony.  As a re-seller of designer brands, it is your responsibility to be sure of an items authenticity BEFORE  you sell.  If you do not agree to a refund I will be forced to 1. apply for an unpaid item dispute through paypal 2. contact eBay and have your account suspended and 3. contact law enforcement if necessary.  I will wait 24 additional hours for your response.

5. Filing Disputes

After 10 days if the seller does not agree to a refund, you will need to report to eBay that your item was Significantly not as Described.  You must do this within 60 days of the sale date. 

If you paid by PayPal, filing this dispute will take you right to PayPal.  You will file the dispute and PayPal will email the seller.  You will then be giving the opportunity to state your case in a back-and-forth hosted on PayPal's dispute page.  You can then escalate the claim to a dispute, whereby PayPal will likely tie up the funds from the seller's account and instruct you to return the item.  This is PayPal playing parent to fighting children--It takes the money, tells the buyer to return the item and include a tracking number, and then gives the money back to you. 

PayPal will want a Significantly not as Described authentication proof.  The best way to do this is probably to go to your local designer boutique and talk to the owner.  Try to get something on their stationary stating that the owner and authorized retailer of Christian Audigier and that the item in question is not authentic.

(Why would a boutique owner do this for you?  eBay undercuts the retailers.  Any chance to increase distrust of eBay is one they will take.  You may want to hint that you are done buying on eBay and will only buy from, say, that boutique.)

6.  If you did not pay with PayPal

You should request a refund in the same manner that you sent payment.  It is standard policy that you are to send the seller the item BEFORE they send you the refund.  The Significantly not as Described dispute will take you through the steps for this.  The final step on this dispute is to report the seller in the case that it did not end in your favor.  This can result on their account being suspended and you will have some recourse with eBay buyer protection.  For more detailed information on this, see eBay Buyer Protection Overview.

7.  Conclusion

Hopefully you will not have to go as far as these disputes.  Most smart sellers will accept a return rather than fight you, risk losing anyway, and have action against their account.

There are plenty of guides about how to recognize a FAKE Christian Audigier, but keep these additional tips in mind because they are likely to help you RETURN a fake one should you get it:
    *  A Return Policy
    *  Pay with PayPal
    *  Feedback Score -- A new seller has nothing to lose, really.  An established one does
    *  Communication -- Ask the seller if it is authentic, as least if they respond you'll know they do answer ?s

Finally, once you have bought an authentic item from a seller, chances are they are legit.  If you like, take a visit of my eBay Store to get started! 

Good luck, and feel free to ask me for advice should you need additional help with a dispute!