I purchased a coco crush ring from vestiaire because the seller told me via private chat that the bag was tested for real gold and was 100% authentic. I purchased it because it was $1000 USD off retail but didn’t come with certificate or box. I just assumed that’s why the cost was so low. I did notice that the ring size and markings were inconsistent with one I owned while I was viewing the listing but thought maybe it was an older model! I could not find a page online that tells us how to authenticate Chanel fine jewelry. When I received the ring the weight felt hefty but the color looked off. I think I was in denial and refused to believe it was fake. I wore it everyday for four months. Never took it off. However every other week or so I would check online to compare my ring (large white gold size coco crush ring) against stock photos and what was posted on other sites. Finally one day I stumbled across a YouTube video showing coco crush replicas and the ring I had came up! It had the same serial number (which the real ones have dedicated serial numbers for each ring). I also noticed that the stamping (the finely etched ones on the right side of the inner ring) is on all of the real rings but not the replica. It had been four months since I purchased but I did purchase through PayPal. I immediately engaged with Vestiaire to notify them I thought my ring was fake. They asked me to ship back and told me I would be refunded when the fedex system tracked it was in transit. However I was notified days later that I actually wouldn’t be refunded until they reauthenticated the ring and confirmed it was fake. They said it would take weeks! I had already initiated the PayPal case the same day I initially reported to Vestiaire.
Finally after one week i told them that I had put a case in with PayPal. Up until now, they had been responsive in letting me know that the item was still in line to be authenticated. Once I mentioned PayPal I never heard from them again. About a week before my case closed, I submitted a comment on my PayPal case page asking about authentication status and I received a refund the next day. The seller’s trusted seller badge was also removed. I wonder if his funds were deducted from his PayPal account? How does that work on the seller side?
It was extremely frustrating and I have lost trust in their authentication system. How could they not know the ring wasn’t real gold? Or had the original stamping?
lastly- anyone notice that their authentication fees are more expensive now? It used to be $10.99 but now they range depending on price of your item. I saw one for $150 authentication fee!
Finally after one week i told them that I had put a case in with PayPal. Up until now, they had been responsive in letting me know that the item was still in line to be authenticated. Once I mentioned PayPal I never heard from them again. About a week before my case closed, I submitted a comment on my PayPal case page asking about authentication status and I received a refund the next day. The seller’s trusted seller badge was also removed. I wonder if his funds were deducted from his PayPal account? How does that work on the seller side?
It was extremely frustrating and I have lost trust in their authentication system. How could they not know the ring wasn’t real gold? Or had the original stamping?
lastly- anyone notice that their authentication fees are more expensive now? It used to be $10.99 but now they range depending on price of your item. I saw one for $150 authentication fee!
