A Cautionary Tale for Selling Chanel on eBay

[mixtress]

I bought a Chanel Jumbo from a popular reseller on Instagram 3 years ago. Not sure if I should or could name them here. Found myself not using the bag as often as its too big for my frame. Decided to sell the bag on eBay. Tracking was uploaded immediately the same day it was shipped (August 18).

A few days later I got an email stating my account was temporarily suspended because eBay said they required a tracking number. I thought that was odd because I had already uploaded the tracking information. I was annoyed but understood that because the bag was considered a high value item, eBay is doing its due diligence. I replied with the tracking information and also sent screenshots showing that FedEx had delivered the bag (on August 30th).

Then I get an email from eBay asking me for the original invoice for the purchase of the bag. I replied explaining that the bag was purchased from a reseller and not at a Chanel boutique. I sent them the screenshots of my conversation with the original seller, even showing the payments I made through Wise for the bag in 2020 (I originally paid $4600 USD for the bag).

This morning I got a long-winded email basically saying my account is now suspended indefinitely. That they will no longer reply to my emails, and that they are suspecting fraud (because I bought the bag from a reseller and not boutique, they automatically think it's not authentic) and cannot further elaborate any information to me. I am distraught, cause now I am without my bag and withheld from ever receiving my payment.

I get eBay’s stance in fraud and I would have been more than happy to send my bag in for further authentication if needed. I wish they would have asked me for all this information before I shipped my bag. So sellers, take my story as a precaution. eBay will rob you of your bag and money if the bag you are selling does not have an invoice from the branded boutique. And they won't ask you for this information until after the bag has left your hands.

I feel like I have been wronged and pushed into a corner by eBay. For context, I have been a buyer and seller on eBay for 20 years with good reviews.

 

[jellyv]

Tracking was uploaded immediately the same day it was shipped (August 18).

A few days later I got an email stating my account was temporarily suspended because eBay said they required a tracking number. I thought that was odd because I had already uploaded the tracking information.

Then I get an email from eBay asking me for the original invoice for the purchase of the bag. I replied explaining that the bag was purchased from a reseller and not at a Chanel boutique.

This morning I got a long-winded email basically saying my account is now suspended indefinitely. That they will no longer reply to my emails, and that they are suspecting fraud

So we can understand this: This bag would have to have been shipped, with tracking, to the eBay authentication service address and not to a buyer, is that correct? In that case it was at authentication that it ran into problems, and it didn't pass authentication. So... there's the issue. Can you clarify if you had the bag authenticated prior to selling it on eBay, such as when you bought it? If not, could they be right?

 

[mixtress]

So we can understand this: This bag would have to have been shipped, with tracking, to the eBay authentication service address and not to a buyer, is that correct? In that case it was at authentication that it ran into problems, and it didn't pass authentication. So... there's the issue. Can you clarify if you had the bag authenticated prior to selling it on eBay, such as when you bought it? If not, could they be right?

The bag was shipped directly to the buyer. I never had the bag authenticated previously as the reseller had good feedback and also had a lot of experience selling Chanel handbags. Agreed, there is that slight chance they can be right but here’s the thing - they are basing their assumptions just on the fact that I purchased the bag from a reseller and that I don’t have a proper invoice from the boutique. There are many consignment shops and resellers online these days, and many more individuals who sell vintage or pre-owned bags on eBay that don’t come with the original receipts. I would have had no issue authenticating the bag if eBay had asked me to prior to selling and/or shipping. I just find the whole ordeal unfair to me, as the seller.

 

[jellyv]

The bag was shipped directly to the buyer. I never had the bag authenticated previouslyI would authenticating the bag if eBay had asked me to prior to selling and/or shipping. I just find the whole ordeal unfair to

^How is this possible when eBay Authentication requires it to go to them first? I really don’t understand how you didn’t go through that step.

 

[mixtress]

^How is this possible when eBay Authentication requires it to go to them first? I really don’t understand how you didn’t go through that step.

I live in Canada. It wasn’t a requirement when I listed the bag for sale. Clearly, in hindsight, it may have been a good thing.

 

[IntheOcean]

now I am without my bag and withheld from ever receiving my payment.

I'm very sorry you have to deal with that nonsense, but please don't immediately jump to the worst possible scenario. I highly doubt eBay would steal such a huge amount of money from you. That would be them just asking to get sued into oblivion.

The bag is authentic until proven otherwise. They need to either provide you with the money you're owed, the bag in its original condition, or the certificate of inauthenticity - if that's the case. Call or email someone higher than the Customer service person and demand - not ask, but politely demand - to get this sorted ASAP.

 

[mixtress]

I'm very sorry you have to deal with that nonsense, but please don't immediately jump to the worst possible scenario. I highly doubt eBay would steal such a huge amount of money from you. That would be them just asking to get sued into oblivion.

The bag is authentic until proven otherwise. They need to either provide you with the money you're owed, the bag in its original condition, or the certificate of inauthenticity - if that's the case. Call or email someone higher than the Customer service person and demand - not ask, but politely demand - to get this sorted ASAP.

Unfortunately the bag is in the buyers hands now, so only the buyer can be the one to initiate a complaint. eBay has said they will no longer reply to my requests for an appeal. I have messaged the buyer and told her about my situation, hopefully she will either initiate a refund or ask eBay if she can send the bag to them to be authenticated.

 

[IntheOcean]

Unfortunately the bag is in the buyers hands now, so only the buyer can be the one to initiate a complaint. eBay has said they will no longer reply to my requests for an appeal. I have messaged the buyer and told her about my situation, hopefully she will either initiate a refund or ask eBay if she can send the bag to them to be authenticated.

Ok, so I have never done any of this myself - my (few) eBay transactions went without a hitch. But I meant you should speak with someone directly, not through the website. Did they just block your account without an explanation? Or did they provide you with the explicit "The bag is fake" statement? Tag them on Facebook, Twitter as a last resort. If they don't release your money or provide you with a certificate, if the bag in question is fake, then that's theft and a police matter, no?

 

[mixtress]

Edit: was a reply to IntheOcean

 

[indiaink]

It sounds like you may have been the victim of fraud. Please call eBay directly!

 

[mixtress]

Ok, so I have never done any of this myself - my (few) eBay transactions went without a hitch. But I meant you should speak with someone directly, not through the website. Did they just block your account without an explanation? Or did they provide you with the explicit "The bag is fake" statement? Tag them on Facebook, Twitter as a last resort. If they don't release your money or provide you with a certificate, if the bag in question is fake, then that's theft and a police matter, no?

I spoke with them through emails. Nothing explicit was said although it was hinted, saying my account ‘violated eBay policies and posed a risk to the eBay community’. They originally locked the account saying they needed a tracking number (which was already updated immediately once the bag was shipped) & proof of delivery because the bag was considered high value. But after I submitted the info of the bag already delivered, they turned around and said they now want proof of purchase. Feels like their suspicions of the bag being a fake is due to the fact that the bag was purchased through a reseller and not from a actual boutique.

 

[IntheOcean]

I spoke with them through emails. Nothing explicit was said although it was hinted, saying my account ‘violated eBay policies and posed a risk to the eBay community’. They originally locked the account saying they needed a tracking number (which was already updated immediately once the bag was shipped) & proof of delivery because the bag was considered high value. But after I submitted the info of the bag being delivered, they turned around and said they now want proof of purchase. Feels like their suspicions of the bag being a fake is due to the fact that the bag was purchased through a reseller and not from a actual boutique.

Either way, the bag is authentic until proven otherwise. You did not break any rules by listing a bag that wasn't bought at the boutique. This is all very strange.

Could it be that the buyer reported the item as fake, and eBay simply took the buyer's side after you weren't able to provide purchase documents to their satisfaction? That could be the case if the buyer doesn't reply to your message. eBay has a tendency to side with the buyer if there are any disputes.

But, either way: I know it's a huge amount of money, but this is a big well-known company, not some scammer who'll disappear into the wind. You need to contact someone higher up. Don't go through the usual customer support channels where you probably will only get copy-pasted replies.

 

[mixtress]

Either way, the bag is authentic until proven otherwise. You did not break any rules by listing a bag that wasn't bought at the boutique. This is all very strange.

Could it be that the buyer reported the item as fake, and eBay simply took the buyer's side after you weren't able to provide purchase documents to their satisfaction? That could be the case if the buyer doesn't reply to your message. eBay has a tendency to side with the buyer if there are any disputes.

But, either way: I know it's a huge amount of money, but this is a big well-known company, not some scammer who'll disappear into the wind. You need to contact someone higher up. Don't go through the usual customer support channels where you probably will only get copy-pasted replies.

Thank you for your kind words. Its nice to feel like someone understands my frustrations. The thought that perhaps the buyer may have reported the bag as a fake has crossed my mind. Maybe because she is genuinely concerned, or perhaps just buyers remorse - a method to get her money back. If she doesn't reply to my messages then I guess I have my answer. I will go search for ways to contact the higher-ups at eBay.

 

[ScotsLinda]

I bought a Chanel Jumbo from a popular reseller on Instagram 3 years ago. Not sure if I should or could name them here. Found myself not using the bag as often as its too big for my frame. Decided to sell the bag on eBay. Tracking was uploaded immediately the same day it was shipped (August 18).

A few days later I got an email stating my account was temporarily suspended because eBay said they required a tracking number. I thought that was odd because I had already uploaded the tracking information. I was annoyed but understood that because the bag was considered a high value item, eBay is doing its due diligence. I replied with the tracking information and also sent screenshots showing that FedEx had delivered the bag (on August 30th).

Then I get an email from eBay asking me for the original invoice for the purchase of the bag. I replied explaining that the bag was purchased from a reseller and not at a Chanel boutique. I sent them the screenshots of my conversation with the original seller, even showing the payments I made through Wise for the bag in 2020 (I originally paid $4600 USD for the bag).

This morning I got a long-winded email basically saying my account is now suspended indefinitely. That they will no longer reply to my emails, and that they are suspecting fraud (because I bought the bag from a reseller and not boutique, they automatically think it's not authentic) and cannot further elaborate any information to me. I am distraught, cause now I am without my bag and withheld from ever receiving my payment.

I get eBay’s stance in fraud and I would have been more than happy to send my bag in for further authentication if needed. I wish they would have asked me for all this information before I shipped my bag. So sellers, take my story as a precaution. eBay will rob you of your bag and money if the bag you are selling does not have an invoice from the branded boutique. And they won't ask you for this information until after the bag has left your hands.

I feel like I have been wronged and pushed into a corner by eBay. For context, I have been a buyer and seller on eBay for 20 years with good reviews.

This is a horrible experience and I hope you do get this resolved somehow. I’ve been looking at several bags on eBay since there’s now a formal authentication process for bags priced over £500. I did notice a lot of bags come only with authenticity cards and not receipts. I’m not sure how eBay could ever enforce a policy where the bag had to have come from a boutique. I’d definitely try to call them. Perhaps could be worth raising with trading standards (or your country’s equivalent organisation).