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It's time for EBAY buyers to educate themselves and be firm about the unscrupulous sellers of clothing that market used items as New With Out Tags or NWOT when in fact these items are used and sometimes used to the point they are threadbare, stained or somehow defective.  For the most part this happens with high-end items.  Examples might be Loro Piana, Brioni, Canali, Corneliani, some Ralph Lauren items, Oxxford, etc.

Experienced sellers for the most part know that used clothing, despite it's original cost/value, isn't worth much.  To make higher profits, they are willing to commit fraud and advertise the items as New With Out Tags, NWOT or select New when they go to list an item.  There are over 30,000 NWOT on EBAY today.  I'll bet a high percentage of them are used items.  I have been a victim of this scheme several times and know of many other cases due to my guides.

Bidders on these items should always keep in mind a few things:

1.  Ask for more proof, photos, of the item's condition before bidding.  Certain areas, collar, elbow, cuffs will show wear or discoloration after even a few launderings/dry cleanings.
2.  Bid cautiously and don't bid if the seller isn't willing to prove out the NWOT designation. A receipt would be proof to me.
3.  Look in the sellers current inventory and see if there is a preponderance of items marked as NWOT.
4.  Simply put, new items have tags. All of them!   If it was washed, worn once, blah blah blah, it's NOT NEW!!!!
5.  Know your designer and know their tags and labeling.
6.  If you bid and win an item, reserve good feedback until you have closely examined the item in bright light. Sunlight is best.  Hold the item up to the light and look for pinholes, moth holes and wear.  Examine the item for stains and other defects. 
7.  Know the law!  The seller that list used items as NWOT is committing fraud and wire fraud which have severe penalties under the US civil code.  The sections that cover fraud and wire fraud are:

TITLE 18, PART I,  CHAPTER 63, 1341 Frauds and swindles and

1343 Fraud by wire, radio, or television and

944 Proof of Scheme and Artifice to Defraud and

949 Proof of Fraudulent Intent

Also sellers that commit fraud on a regular basis, more than twice, can be hit with racketeering charges.
 
A Google search of these terms will help you know the law.  It's very strongly favored for the victims of fraud and tough on the crooks that perpetrate fraud.  How does 20 years and fines up to $1,000,000 dollars sound for just one act of fraud sound? 

8. Get tough.  If the seller won't come clean and fix the problem 100% give harsh feedback and encourage others to contact you.  You can create a new Yahoo, Hotmail or Gmail account just for this purpose.

Putting sellers on notice through tough feedback will encourage other victims to come forward.  Once a seller has a few of these in the last few months they will find it very difficult to continue their frauds.

Disclaimer:  I am not a seller nor compete with these sellers.  I am only interested in an honest and fair marketplace.

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