Last year two of my friends and I bought 5 sets of Oakley sunglasses on eBay. Unfortunately only two of them were genuine. We lost £270 (about $500)!

This guide should help you so that you don't make the same mistake.

Recognise Fake Oakleys on eBay

- Oakley sunglasses come with pouch/bag and, box and documentation. Don'y bid if the auction doesn't include any of these.

- Look at the seller's feedback. You  should be able to tell if he/she has tried selling fakes before. Don't just look at the percentage, read the comments.

- Be careful if the price is under £50 (about $90), the RRP can be five times that so would they be that price if they were real?

- You can buy fakes from Europe; they only cost 4-10 Euros. In an auction they only include a bag. Sometimes they have a tag/sticker marked Oakley. Thay are fake! Don't buy them! Only buy if they have documentation and box.

- Check the seller's other items. If he/she is selling more than one set, but has low feedback they could have bought a load of fakes and just set up an account. If they have high feedback, or an eBay shop then they are probably trustworthy.

- An obvious one. If in the description he/she claims he/she is selling an old set, but is also selling others then they were probably bought on the cheap!

- Read the description fully, there may be some small print in the auction saying they are not real. This is against eBay's policy.

- Never buy any if it doesn't say anywhere that they are real or genuine.

Once you have received them

- To be sure it would be best to go to an Oakley dealer.

- If you don't have a local oakley dealer then make sure all documentation is there.

- If they are metal then it is unlikely they will be fake, but don't assume they are real.

- Make sure the sunglasses you bought are not plastic if they are only made in metal.

- As far as I know the bag is black, but i'm told you can get some in different colors. The bag has a tag with 'Genuie Oakley Software' and 'Plutonite lenses should only be cleaned with the provided sunglass bag. Oakley inc.'

- The tag on the bag would have been stitched on perfectly, no funny angles as if put on at home with a sewing machine.

- It shouldn't fall apart. I've seen fakes where the 'o's fall off and the arms easily come apart.

- Many contain little screws.

When in doubt don't buy. On receiving them get them checked out. If they are fale leave negative feedback to let others know.

I hope this helps. Please rate it below. Check out my other guides:

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