Apple's eBay relationship and VERO and counterfeit earpods
Related: counterfeit iPhone 3GS 16GB on ebay.co.uk
I know this is officially a user-to-user area. However: If anyone at Apple works with eBay (e.g. through their VERO program) please get in touch.
I've had awful experiences from eBay staff when reporting counterfeit items and sellers of counterfeit items.
The eBay DR (dispute resolution) processes good for getting a refund for counterfeit items.
My experience is that eBay staff is doing everything they can to avoid kicking sellers of counterfeit items off ebay or removing listings thereof.
I've purchased a bunch of out-and-out counterfeit "Apple" earpods on eBay. (Specifically, items marked as Brand: Apple, with Apple part numbers..., NOT just identical-looking (in the ad photos, that is) clones simply marketed as 'for iPhone 5' or Apple compatible or some other grey area of illegality.)
Most egregious case (of several cases): opened a dispute (Details: Case ID:5060897779. SNAD. Counterfeit. Issue: "I have a set of real Apple Earpods and they sound completely different and much better, say "Designed by Apple in California ..." on the cable, don't rattle, have grills with gloss...") I was refused a refund by the seller, and escalated with this message to eBay Customer Support:
"Description incl.: Product Identifiers Brand Apple Model EarPods Color White MPN MD827LL/A It does not say that this is not original. scammer. counterfeiter. Please close their ebay account. And give me a full refund. "
Partial Success: Jun 19: "Case closed by Customer Support." Refund received. Yet today, July 29, the same seller is selling the same counterfeit item.
eBay item number: 281377171070
In two other cases, I received counterfeit "Apple" earpods. In all three cases, I reported SNAD: counterfeit via the DR process, got a full refund and yet, the merchant's account is still open. One is not selling anything, the other two are still selling the same counterfeit item.
I even sent a message
To: eBay Customer Support
Subject: Replica and Counterfeit Items
with the counterfeit item numbers. Even after taking this additional step, the the same sellers are selling the same counterfeit item.
