Purchased a Kooba handbag or another designer handbag on Ebay that you believe it counterfeit?  Well, you wouldn't be the first person.  Counterfeit handbags are BIG BUSINESS, especially on Ebay.  Thousands are sold every single day and most are described as authentic.  Even 100% authentic!

Even if your handbag is described as 100% authentic, you must get the authenticity confirmed by an authorized retailer if you are not extremely familiar with the handbag.  If the handbag is found to be counterfeit, you must report the seller to Ebay.  I will give you step by step instructions on how to do so in this guide.

Counterfeit handbags are now called replicas and they are a billion dollar illegal business.  Many counterfeiters use children to make these bags for little of nothing.  Do not support this horrible child labor practice by purchasing these fake bags! 

Do a google search for replica handbags and you will be stunned at what you will find.  Most any popular designer handbag (or any designer item) is being duplicated.  By duplicated, I mean a cheap version of the same bags. Do not let the term "replica" fool you, these are by no means exact replicas. Counterfeit bags use the same pattern but inferior materials.  And cheap labor (many times they are made by children who are paid almost nothing).

And the counterfeit (replica) versions come with tags, dustbags, authenticity cards - everything.  Heavily counterfeited handbags include:  Marc Jacobs, Chloe, Prada, Chanel, Fendi, Hermes, Kooba, Kate Spade, Louis Vuitton, Coach, Juicy Couture, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Botkier, Thomas Wylde, Alexander McQueen and many, many others (please see my separate guide on counterfeit goods).

Over 50% of Kooba handbags on Ebay are fake and are being described as 100% authentic in most cases. This applies to most other brands also. These sellers are making huge profits off of people who do not know what authentic Kooba handbags look like.  This is happening with numerous brands of handbags on Ebay, all day long.  I just know more about Kooba handbags - please see my detailed guide about how to spot a fake Kooba.  When I did my first Kooba guide, about 90% of the Koobas listed were fake.  The number has dropped dramatically over 2 years.  While there are still many fakes on Ebay, there are usually 50% or less now which is an enormous difference.  Taking the time to report counterfeits DOES make a difference.  By doing so, you may save many other people from being taken advantage of also.

If you see a NEW $1500 handbag (i.e. Chloe, Marc Jacobs, Prada, etc) that is selling for under $400, you can rest assured it is FAKE.  Ask yourself, why on earth would anyone sell a $1500 handbag for $300?  It is either fake or stolen, not a good choice either way.

Example:  An extremely popular handbag sells for $1,750.00 at Neiman Marcus yet you can get a supposed 100% authentic one on Ebay for a BUY IT NOW of $269.  Why?  Because it is NOT REAL.  I've seen supposed Chloe Paddington bags being called authentic with a BUY IT NOW of $89.  Okeedokee, that's believable.  They also have a very large bridge they would like to sell you, too. 

Remember:  The extremely popular bags are the ones that are being counterfeited.  And any time a bag is hard to get your hands on, people will not have hundreds of extras lying around to sell.  Whenever you see a popular handbag that is sold out in most stores, yet for sale on Ebay for a drastically reduced price - it is because it is counterfeit.

Counterfeit bags are not made to LAST.  They are made to fool the buyer into believing they are saving money by purchasing them.  Then they fall apart within a short period of time.  And its always too late to get your hard earned money back.

If you're interested in details to look for in a counterfeit bag, please see my Kooba handbag buying guide on Ebay.  There are also guides posted by Ebay members like mine on different brands.  It is very important to try to locate a guide on the particular brand you are interested in before attempting to buy a designer handbag on Ebay.

If there is not a guide for your handbag of interest, here are some pointers that apply to MOST fake handbag listings:

1. The handbag is NEW and GROSSLY less than retail.

2. The seller has PRIVATE feedback and uses PRIVATE LISTINGS.  (Not ALL private listings are counterfeit items but most are.)

3. READ THEIR FEEDBACK.  All of it.  Look for clues (some are subtle such as THANKS FOR THE REFUND.) And remember, many people do not KNOW they received a fake handbag and will leave GREAT feedback!  Look for other clues even if you have to spend an hour reading ALL of their feedback.

4. No designer handbags will have plastic covering the handles.  Stay away from these.

5. ONE DAY LISTINGS.  Usually someone trying to make a fast buck and disappear.

6.  ASK the seller WHERE they purchased the bag. If they say FROM A SUPPLIER, run for the hills (there are no CHANEL suppliers other than CHANEL!).  If they say from a retailer, ask which one.  If they say they buy directly from the manufacturer, ask them what the name of their retail store is since this is the ONLY way they could be purchasing directly from the designer.

7.  I'll say it again, if a PRICE is TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, then it is probably fake!

If you have received a counterfeit handbag, you MUST take the time to report the seller to Ebay.  Here's how:

REPORT YOUR FAKE HANDBAG TO EBAY: First thing, make sure you have the item number written down before you proceed.  You will have to provide it at the very last step.  You may want to print this out to keep handy.

First and foremost, be CERTAIN that the bag is counterfeit before reporting the item.

Click on the help button on the Ebay Toolbar. ( The toolbar at the top that says BUY, SELL, MY EBAY, COMMUNITY, HELP.)

Click on Contact Us (on the left of the screen)

Click on Report Listing Violations.  Click Continue at the bottom.

Hightlight Counterfeits and Copyright Violations.

Then Highlight Potential Trademark Infringement

Next, highlight Counterfeit Handbags.  Then click continue at the bottom.

Then provide the item number you are reporting and press SEND.

STEP TWO:

Go back to HELP.

Look to the left of the screen and click on ABOUT CUSTOMER SUPPORT.

Scroll down a couple of inches until you see - if you are unable to sign on the your account, please contact CUSTOMER SUPPORT.  Click on CUSTOMER SUPPORT.

Enter your email address (twice) and your user ID.  Then provide the item number and let Ebay know the handbag is counterfeit.  Let them know you want the seller removed immediately from Ebay for illegal, fraudulent activity.

You can even report the seller to their local police authorities as this is illegal activity and is punishable by law.  You can also report the seller to the International Anti-Counterfeit Coalition (they have a link at their website).  You can also report counterfeits through the US Federal Trade Commission website (go the the Intellectual Property Rights section).

You should also contact the original manufacturer and let them know of the counterfeit handbag and also the seller.  Many companies are now suing Ebay and also Ebay sellers for selling counterfeit merchandise!

Complain to Ebay for allowing ILLEGAL ACTIVITY at their site. 

Selling/owning counterfeit handbags is not just TACKY, it is ILLEGAL.

GETTING YOUR REFUND:

First, simply request a refund from the seller, regardless of the seller's stated policies.  Many sellers who sell counterfeit items will gladly refund your money if it will keep you from reporting them or leaving negative feedback.  This is why I always tell people to avoid leaving negative feedback BEFORE you get your refund so as to avoid upsetting the seller (and reducing your chances of getting a refund) and to allow the seller an opportunity to refund your money.

There IS NO TIME LIMIT on getting a refund on a counterfeit handbag on Ebay.  Regardless of the seller's policies.  All policies are null and void on counterfeit items as they are ILLEGAL.  If you have trouble getting your refund directly from the seller, then go through Paypal.  Explain the situation (counterfeit item).  You can use the Paypal help button for more information on requesting a refund.  If you have trouble with Paypal and you paid by credit card, contact your credit card company immediately and let them know of the counterfeit item.  But I would suggest going through the seller first to give them an opportunity to refund your money. 

IMPORTANT: DO NOT pay for a handbag on Ebay with a money order unless you are ABSOLUTELY certain the handbag is authentic.  Many people (not all) who only accept money orders plan on disappearing. And getting your money back will be much, much more difficult. And never, ever, EVER send money by wire transfer (i.e., Western Union).

You should be sure to request your FULL shipping and handling amount (both ways) to be reimbursed as the item was MISREPRESENTED and ILLEGAL and you should not be responsible for ANY costs incurred.  When you see a seller state that shipping & handling is not refundable, this is NULL & VOID on counterfeit goods as they are ILLEGAL.  Non-refundable s&h only applies to items that are not grossly misrepresented.  Legally, you would be able to recover shipping & handling on a grossly misrepresented item.

If you are communicating with the seller but still having no luck, you need to escalate your complaint to a Paypal claim (there is a choice to do this under the dispute section).  You first need to file a dispute through Ebay which will direct you to Paypal if you paid via Paypal.  (Use the help button at Paypal to search "escalate claim" or "file a claim" to find directions on doing this.)

If you are returning the item for a refund BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN TO GET DELIVERY CONFIRMATION on the return!!  This will be the best 65 cents you will ever spend!  Some sellers (very bad ones) will claim to have not received the item.  So you will be out the money AND the item.  Also, take pictures of the item while it is in your possession and take a photo of the front of the box while it is addressed and with the delivery confirmation sticker attached if possible.  This way, there will be no doubt whatsoever.  But Ebay and Paypal put a lot of store in delivery confirmation.  If you return an item and the seller says they didn't receive it but you have DELIVERY CONFIRMATION you will automatically be rewarded your refund if it is an escalated Paypal claim.

There are also time limits to getting refunds through Paypal and Ebay so act quickly so you do not run out of time.  And be PATIENT and PERSISTENT with Ebay & Paypal.  Sometimes the squeaky wheel DOES get the attention!

***Please google the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition in Washington, D.C. for more information that may be helpful to you.

RE: KOOBA AUTHENTICATIONS: I'm VERY sorry but I am no longer answering questions regarding authenticity free of charge as it is taking up too hours of my time.  If you would like for me to look at a Kooba item and give my opinion on the authenticity, please send $2.00 for each item number via Paypal to christid2303 at AOL . COM.  Please expect up to 3 days for a for a response (don't wait until the auction is almost over).  Include the item numbers in the note section of your Paypal payment.

I will no longer be answering emails regarding authenticity without this very small charge for my time.  Thanks for your understanding!