My neighbor has fallen on hard financial times so she decided to sell some of her designer stuff to pay off her credit cards. She has a shopping addiction and has stuff she has never even worn. She had a Tiffany Notes necklace brand new, with the pouch and box. It looked great. Never worn. It retails for 150.00 and she was asking $70.00 for it so I bought it for my bf who has wanted a piece from the notes collection forever. I looked it over and having other Tiffany pieces myself, I thought it looked authentic and the price was realistic (at least I thought). So I bought it, sent it to my friend. She had a luke warm response to it when I called her to make sure she got it but I wasn't too worried. A few days later, my neighbor was telling another neighbor how much $$ she made at the sale but how she probably could have gotten more for the Tiffany necklace b/c no one would have guessed it fake and she probably could have gotten closer to the retail value. Anyway, I could care less about the neighbor, I am worried about my friend. I feel horrible. I just found this out so I haven't had a chance to call my friend. If money wasn't an option, I would buy her a real Notes necklace from Tiffany.com and send a card explaining what happened & apologize but I can't really swing that this month. What would you do? Would you apologize and leave it at that? Would you apologize and by the real necklace & bite the financial bullet or would you just get something else (like a gift cert to one of her favorite clothing stores)?
Need advice, unknowingly gave a friend a fake for her b-day!
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This is why I ALWAYS would only buy directly from store for designer pieces. I know others have gotten deals and it worked out but probably most people end up with fakes. Can't you tell your neighbor you want your money back and get back the fake from your friend? I would let your neighbor know it was fake. Then I would explain situation to friend. Perhaps you can get her the real one in a couple months or for her 1/2 year b-day when you have more funds. Good luck!
I would tell the friend that you were duped. If she is a good friend she will understand and not hold it against you. I would however take this up with your neighbor and try to get a refund, afterall they were dishonest in claiming it was real... Good luck I hope all works out, but in the future I would say buy from the store and you will never have any problems!!!
The neighbor did know it was a fake but I heard about it after the fact. My friend lives 2000 miles away and I was just going to instruct her to toss it, I don't want it being resold to someone else. I am just so upset that this happened, I feel like I should make it up to my friend. Her birthday was only a couple of weeks ago so this is all fairly recent...
Eesh... that neighbor of yours is horrible!! I'd be SO embarrassed selling something fake as a real item. Sigh.
Definitely explain it to your neighbor just as you did to us. I wouldn't just throw a necklace out even if it was fake - if it's real silver, someone will like it! Seems wasteful. Of course I wouldn't sell it as real either!! Hmmm. Yes I'd tell her you'd love to have bought her the real thing (and thought you were), but are sending her a little something in the mail and send a $50 or so gift certificate (whatever you can afford) if you feel like it. What a mess!
It was a sweet gesture on your part but just goes to show there are dishonest people out there.
I'm not sure what I'd suggest visa vis the neighbor... unless you specifically asked her if it was authentic and she lied to your face about it, it's kind of buyer beware.
Definitely explain it to your neighbor just as you did to us. I wouldn't just throw a necklace out even if it was fake - if it's real silver, someone will like it! Seems wasteful. Of course I wouldn't sell it as real either!! Hmmm. Yes I'd tell her you'd love to have bought her the real thing (and thought you were), but are sending her a little something in the mail and send a $50 or so gift certificate (whatever you can afford) if you feel like it. What a mess!
It was a sweet gesture on your part but just goes to show there are dishonest people out there. I'm not sure what I'd suggest visa vis the neighbor... unless you specifically asked her if it was authentic and she lied to your face about it, it's kind of buyer beware.
Good Answer! and if this neighbor has any self-respect she will offer to refund your $$$$. Bad enough to sell a fake - but to brag about it? :shame:
i'd make a remark to the neighbor how her 'fake' tiffany totally embarassed you with your friend. ask for your money back, and give her back the piece.
i'd get your friend a cute sterling silver piece that you can afford, either tiffany or from a jeweler. i'm sure she will understand.
i'd get your friend a cute sterling silver piece that you can afford, either tiffany or from a jeweler. i'm sure she will understand.
I'd explain what happened to your friend and ask her to send it back to you. Then I'd go to the neighbor and ask for a refund. You may as well try to get your money back.
I think the best is to explain to your friend what happened, send her a replacement gift or a gift certificate, and have her send the fake back to you. Then make your neighbor give you your money back. Just hound her until she gives it back, she will eventually get sick of you calling her house and showing up at her door all the time. She is stuck b/c you know where she lives! Also if you happen to talk to her family members about what she did to you while trying to get your money back she will probably be shamed. But you have to have the fake necklace back, you can't get your money back unless you give back the necklace.
Update: I called my friend and explained what happened. She was so appreciative that I told her and she insisted that it wasn't my fault and I didn't need to get her anything else as a replacement b-day gift but I sent her a gift card to her favorite clothing store anyway. Thanks for the great advice, I feel so much better about the situation.
jeez that is awful what your neighbor did. good news about the friend, though. you are so kind to give her a gift card to make it up to her. you really didnt need to do that. just one thing for the neighbor: karma.
