Fraud is, quite seriously, eBay’s #1 best-selling item. Almost everyone I know has been defrauded on eBay at least once.

So, in the name of helping you avoid eBay scams, here are the cons I’ve fallen for, and some tips to help you avoid being tricked yourself.

Personally, I’ve been scammed on eBay twice. The first time, I bought a Tiffany necklace (before I knew that all Tiffany on eBay is fake), which turned out to be a good quality copy in really dodgy packaging. I still wear the necklace, mostly because it’s pretty, but partly because it was almost $200 which is a lot to spend on something and then never use it.

The second time, I bought a CD and the seller sent me a burnt CD copy of it, instead of the pictured item. By then, I had enough positive feedback that one negative wouldn’t kill me, so I reported the seller and got my money back.

This isn’t something that only happens to me. If you’re looking at Tiffany jewellery, designer handbags, Diesel or Seven For All Mankind jeans, even some car parts (!) on eBay, there’s a high chance you’ll get a fake. According to the Chicago Times, one woman even got ripped off on a wedding dress. And apparently New Zealand’s equivalent, trademe.co.nz is no better.

Here’s how to make sure you don’t get scammed on eBay.

eBay tip #1: To good to be true is

If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. This season’s hottest super-expensive bags do not show up on eBay for $100 - cheap copies of them do.

ebay tip #2: Assume designer items are fakes

Treat all ‘high risk’ items (like accessories by well-known designers) as possible fakes, and do your research. Ask the seller about the authenticity of the item before you bid, read guides to spotting fakes and check the seller’s feedback really carefully.

ebay tip #3: Don’t buy from China

Be suspicious if the item is being shipped from China or Hong Kong; a lot of fake goods are manufactured there.

eBay tip #4: Check the return policy

Don’t take return policies at face value. A common ploy is to offer a full refund, “if you can prove the bag is fake”, because they know it’s very difficult to get any documentation to prove it. (My Poupette are one of the few places to authenticate bags, although they only do Louis Vuitton.)

ebay tip #5: Fakes aren’t the only scams

Be aware of the other types of eBay fraud, including buying things you never receive. Just because the item in the pictures is genuine, doesn’t mean that’s what you’ll get. Wikipedia has a pretty complete list of ways you can be defrauded on eBay.

ebay tip #6: Use PayPal or Visa

If you do buy a ‘risky’ item on eBay, pay for it using either Visa or PayPal and you’ll have an easier time getting your money back. Both have fraud protection programs you can sometimes use, whereas bank deposit and wire transfer offer no protection at all.

Happy shopping everyone!

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