How To "Brand" Your Sold Items

Prada Psycho · Dec 23rd, 2006, 09:54 AM

I just sold a pricey handbag yesterday. It was Buy It Now with Immediate Payment required and I have specific buyer requirements in my preferences. This person barely squeaked by them b/c one seller left them a neutral for an NPB. There was one negative for NPB this month. They have a confirmed address, but only 7 positives. I already transfered the money from my Paypal account, but with all the "bait/switch" stories floating around, I'm still a bit paranoid about hearing back from this buyer that the bag is fake, they file a claim, yadda, yadda. I'm in no state of mind to deal with that sort of BS right now even though I have proof standing by that it's authentic. I also have it clearly stated in my listings that there are no returns, but people are always trying to get around that.

There had been some discussion a while back about tagging our items in a way that a buyer won't know, but if they try to send a fake back, we'll have them dead to rights b/c it does have our "hangtag" or whatever on it.

Have any of you done that yet? How did you "brand" your item w/o making it obvious or in some way affecting the bag (this one is brand new, never used). I toyed with stitching a bit of thread in an inconspicuous place in the lining, but that's all I can come up with right now.

Suggestions?

kallison · Dec 23rd, 2006, 10:16 AM

those bright colored bracelet things from party stores (you know, those ones you stick together that you can get from clubs/bars, etc?...i can't for the life of me figure out what they're called...). lots of people use those because they can't just be taken off without ripping the bracelet- so you would know if it had been taken off. then just sign it and put it around the handle.

Bag Fetish · Dec 23rd, 2006, 10:35 AM

^^ thats perfect!

reddianasaur · Dec 23rd, 2006, 11:46 AM

There is a company where you can order those bands and print you name on them that way they have to be returned to you in tact.

Prada Psycho · Dec 23rd, 2006, 11:57 AM

Cool! Thanks kallison!

We have one of those party stores and the DH is going over to that general direction today. I'll check and see if they have them.

reddianasaur, I don't sell that many things on eBay (normally just shoes) and have only sold two bags so far so I'm not sure I'll go to the expense of having my name on them, but thanks for that suggestion too.

peacocky · Dec 23rd, 2006, 01:29 PM

I use the Tyvek bands as well. I haven't thought of sparing the expense to have my eBay ID on them. I just switch out funky prints. I have some with orange lizards and some with pink polka dots and some with yellow duckies.

noshoepolish · Dec 23rd, 2006, 02:16 PM

Numbered tyvek bands. I just write across them and record the number. Also us a UV pen to put a mark inside the bag somewhere.

Prada Psycho · Dec 23rd, 2006, 04:30 PM

Thanks for the name of those thingies! I looked all over and couldn't find anything but medical ID tags. I just called our local Party City after getting the trade name and found out they have them there. Unfortunately only in 100 & 500 packages and I doubt I'll need more than one or two, but it's worth the extra expense just in case....

Thanks everyone!! You guys rock!

kallison · Dec 23rd, 2006, 05:40 PM

yeah, thanks for the names of those! that was driving me crazy!
maybe you could find a cheap bag of them on eBay? or find a place that uses them for security and take a few? hehe. or maybe a craft store has something like that? not sure.

peacocky · Dec 23rd, 2006, 05:51 PM

I bought mine by searching under tyvek bands or security bands on eBay. I bought 60 for $4.

chicky · Dec 23rd, 2006, 06:13 PM

Luggage tags!

They come with a unique serial number, are made of plastic so are durable (you thread a long piece of plastic through a hole) And the odds of someone else getting a tag of the same colour, style, design, and number is not going to happen.

Plus, they are designed to be totally tamper proof, you'd have to cut it to get it off - so if someones been tinkering, you'll know.

I've got some that are made by versapak

Roo · Dec 23rd, 2006, 07:12 PM

I mark mine with ultraviolet invisible ink somewhere inside that is disceet.

sgaotw · Dec 23rd, 2006, 08:07 PM

i thought paypal doesn't care about that if they claim it's a "fake" and they can get a letterhead from a "thirdparty"...?

leanbeanee · Dec 23rd, 2006, 08:17 PM

Has anyone won a paypal claim in such cases? Where the buyer has pulled a switch? Even if the buyer sends back a bag that's not yours... will paypal believe you? It's your word against their's (the buyer's) right?

amamxr · Dec 24th, 2006, 04:15 AM

If you are selling an LV- its clearly identifiable by the date code. They cant bait and switch with that. So I would think there is no reason to tag it unless there are other scams??

Dec 23rd, 2006, 09:54 AM	#1
Prada Psycho Red Hot Red Hatter ♫ Location: North Carolina	How To "Brand" Your Sold Items I just sold a pricey handbag yesterday. It was Buy It Now with Immediate Payment required and I have specific buyer requirements in my preferences. This person barely squeaked by them b/c one seller left them a neutral for an NPB. There was one negative for NPB this month. They have a confirmed address, but only 7 positives. I already transfered the money from my Paypal account, but with all the "bait/switch" stories floating around, I'm still a bit paranoid about hearing back from this buyer that the bag is fake, they file a claim, yadda, yadda. I'm in no state of mind to deal with that sort of BS right now even though I have proof standing by that it's authentic. I also have it clearly stated in my listings that there are no returns, but people are always trying to get around that. There had been some discussion a while back about tagging our items in a way that a buyer won't know, but if they try to send a fake back, we'll have them dead to rights b/c it does have our "hangtag" or whatever on it. Have any of you done that yet? How did you "brand" your item w/o making it obvious or in some way affecting the bag (this one is brand new, never used). I toyed with stitching a bit of thread in an inconspicuous place in the lining, but that's all I can come up with right now. Suggestions?

Dec 23rd, 2006, 10:16 AM	#2
kallison wake up.you're alive Location: houston	Re: How To "Brand" Your Sold Items those bright colored bracelet things from party stores (you know, those ones you stick together that you can get from clubs/bars, etc?...i can't for the life of me figure out what they're called...). lots of people use those because they can't just be taken off without ripping the bracelet- so you would know if it had been taken off. then just sign it and put it around the handle. __________________ [no one's giving up quite yet, we've got too much to lose.] [love is a revolution.] Last edited by kallison; Dec 23rd, 2006 at 10:19 AM.

Dec 23rd, 2006, 10:35 AM	#3
Bag Fetish Handbag addict Location: the land of cold!	Re: How To "Brand" Your Sold Items ^^ thats perfect! __________________

Dec 23rd, 2006, 11:46 AM	#4
reddianasaur Sofa King Banned Location: Roak Land	Re: How To "Brand" Your Sold Items There is a company where you can order those bands and print you name on them that way they have to be returned to you in tact.

Dec 23rd, 2006, 11:57 AM	#5
Prada Psycho Red Hot Red Hatter ♫ Location: North Carolina	Re: How To "Brand" Your Sold Items Cool! Thanks kallison! We have one of those party stores and the DH is going over to that general direction today. I'll check and see if they have them. reddianasaur, I don't sell that many things on eBay (normally just shoes) and have only sold two bags so far so I'm not sure I'll go to the expense of having my name on them, but thanks for that suggestion too.

Dec 23rd, 2006, 01:29 PM	#6
peacocky Flaunt your Fringe	Re: How To "Brand" Your Sold Items I use the Tyvek bands as well. I haven't thought of sparing the expense to have my eBay ID on them. I just switch out funky prints. I have some with orange lizards and some with pink polka dots and some with yellow duckies. __________________

Dec 23rd, 2006, 02:16 PM	#7
noshoepolish Addicted to Coach	Re: How To "Brand" Your Sold Items Numbered tyvek bands. I just write across them and record the number. Also us a UV pen to put a mark inside the bag somewhere.

Dec 23rd, 2006, 04:30 PM	#8
Prada Psycho Red Hot Red Hatter ♫ Location: North Carolina	Re: How To "Brand" Your Sold Items Thanks for the name of those thingies! I looked all over and couldn't find anything but medical ID tags. I just called our local Party City after getting the trade name and found out they have them there. Unfortunately only in 100 & 500 packages and I doubt I'll need more than one or two, but it's worth the extra expense just in case.... Thanks everyone!! You guys rock!

Dec 23rd, 2006, 05:40 PM	#9
kallison wake up.you're alive Location: houston	Re: How To "Brand" Your Sold Items yeah, thanks for the names of those! that was driving me crazy! maybe you could find a cheap bag of them on eBay? or find a place that uses them for security and take a few? hehe. or maybe a craft store has something like that? not sure. __________________ [no one's giving up quite yet, we've got too much to lose.] [love is a revolution.]

Dec 23rd, 2006, 05:51 PM	#10
peacocky Flaunt your Fringe	Re: How To "Brand" Your Sold Items I bought mine by searching under tyvek bands or security bands on eBay. I bought 60 for $4. __________________

Dec 23rd, 2006, 06:13 PM	#11
chicky Sofa King Marple Location: UK	Re: How To "Brand" Your Sold Items Luggage tags! They come with a unique serial number, are made of plastic so are durable (you thread a long piece of plastic through a hole) And the odds of someone else getting a tag of the same colour, style, design, and number is not going to happen. Plus, they are designed to be totally tamper proof, you'd have to cut it to get it off - so if someones been tinkering, you'll know. I've got some that are made by versapak __________________ One does not know the true meaning of petty until one has seen two cats squabbling over a patch of sunlight..

Dec 23rd, 2006, 07:12 PM	#12
Roo Up to the Minute Mod Location: Rue Roo	Re: How To "Brand" Your Sold Items I mark mine with ultraviolet invisible ink somewhere inside that is disceet. __________________ " We are the first nation in the history of the world to go to the poorhouse in an automobile." -- WILL ROGERS

Dec 23rd, 2006, 08:07 PM	#13
sgaotw Member	Re: How To "Brand" Your Sold Items i thought paypal doesn't care about that if they claim it's a "fake" and they can get a letterhead from a "thirdparty"...?

Dec 23rd, 2006, 08:17 PM	#14
leanbeanee MOA Location: Aussieland	Re: How To "Brand" Your Sold Items Has anyone won a paypal claim in such cases? Where the buyer has pulled a switch? Even if the buyer sends back a bag that's not yours... will paypal believe you? It's your word against their's (the buyer's) right?

Dec 24th, 2006, 04:15 AM	#15
amamxr Member Location: Green Gables	Re: How To "Brand" Your Sold Items If you are selling an LV- its clearly identifiable by the date code. They cant bait and switch with that. So I would think there is no reason to tag it unless there are other scams?? __________________