Every day, we hear about people who are being conned out of their all savings believing in money ventures that are just too good to be true. For those of us on the outside, it's easy for us to judge the victims. I mean, after all, if they just used a little common sense, they would know that an annual 15% return on an investment defies logic. They would clue-in that wiring $10,000 to some "official" in Nigeria is not going to release millions of dollars into your bank account. I mean - how naïve can you get?

Okay - but before you start snickering at their stupidity - consider the designer bag you got for a steal in an online auction. Think for a moment that the $40 you spent on a bag that's worth $300 may actually be worth $10 on any street corner in New York. Yes, the old "too good to be true" adage applies in all cases - but most especially in online sales.

Thankfully, David Goldstein, Vice President, of Marketing & Business Development for Easysale, Inc. as provided some tips to protect us from being cheated by designer scams.
___________________________________________________________

Q: How often are internet consumers being scammed with fake bags? Are there any regulations in place to stop this type of fraud?

• According to one study, more than half of the "designer" bags online are fakes
• Selling or even owning a fake designer bag is actually illegal under trademark law
• Some sites will identify their bags as replicas--doesn't make it legal, but at least you know what you're getting.
• Problem: How to catch the scammers? Sites like eBay prohibit selling fakes, but for the most part they rely on knowledgeable buyers to report unscrupulous sellers. But many consumers don't know how to tell authentic from fake.

Q: What tips would you give to online consumers looking for a deal but who don't want to get robbed in the process?

1. Price too good to be true? If it is, the bag is almost guaranteed to be a fake. Real luxury may be discounted, but it still doesn't come cheap.

2. Buy from a reputable seller. Check their feedback on eBay; any negative comments from buyers about selling fakes are a red flag. You want sellers with lots of experience and a high (99% or better) feedback rating.

3. Ask for a guarantee. Many sellers of designer bags will state that they guarantee the item is authentic. If they don't, ask (before buying or bidding) if you can return the bag for a full refund if it's fake.

4. Check the details. Look for close-up photographs of details on the bag, especially hardware and interior. Do research to learn what the particular bag you're buying should look like.

Q: How can I tell the difference between the real and the fake version?

Some clues that a bag may be fake:
• Materials feel or look cheap [locks graphic]
• Poor workmanship, especially in hidden areas [strap graphic]
• Designer's logo is wrong [tag graphic]
• Details wrong (e.g., LV white Multicolore with wrong lining)

Q: Tell us about your company - how are you helping people buy and sell products on line?

Easysale makes selling on eBay easy. You bring an item you'd like to sell to one of our stores, or we'll pick it up from you for free. We handle the entire selling process for you, and you get a check. We know how to authenticate designer goods to ensure that we don't sell fakes.

We also know what to photograph in the listing so that the buyer can tell the item is genuine. That, plus our high feedback rating, allows consumers to buy with confidence from us--they get an authentic product, and the seller gets maximum value for their item.

David Goldstein
Vice President, Marketing & Business Development
Easysale, Inc.
719 109th St., Arlington, Texas 76011
easysaleinc.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/easysale
Facebook: http://companies.to/easysale

---