How To Identify Fake and Counterfeit Vintage Sunglasses On Ebay: Buyer Beware!

There are many ebay auction sellers who with overt intent and through ignorance sell fakes, sell original frames with cheap replacement lenses, and misrepresent and item's condition. For several months we have been tracking select Ebay and Etsy sellers who even go beyond this, who mix in authentic frames that have had the lenses replaced along with some sadly well done Malaysian and Chinese counterfeits they may be selling knowingly or unknowingly. But the end result is that buyers are getting cheated in ways that often endanger their eyes by the total absence of UV protection in these mass produced cheap Asian plastic lenses. To protect and educate buyers who want to protect their eyes and buy only real and authentic vintage sunglasses, we've compiled this list of ways fraud and fakes have overtaken the ebay marketplace for vintage sunglasses:

 

• Completing sales transactions, then coercing the buyer to cancel the transaction via the ebay Resolution Center to avoid paying ebay seller fees and voiding ebay buyer protection (weak though it is).
• Enticing legitimate sellers to end auctions early and transact off of ebay at below market prices, trying to flip them and avoid paying ebay fees - a serious violation of ebay rules.
• Using meaningless numerical rating scales ("9 out of a 10 scale") that have no basis in fact and are totally subjective, precluding a buyer from returning an item after the buyer finds that a seller's rating scale rates effectively worthless, scratched sunglasses as a 9.
• Using "see pictures for condition" as a means of protecting against returns - you cannot determine either condition or authenticity by pictures alone.
• Selling original frames where the lenses, which comprise the vast majority of the value in vintage sunglasses, have been replaced with cheap replacement lenses, effectively rendering the vintage sunglasses worthless and in our view committing an outright fraud.
• Refusal to honor completed auction sales if the auction end price does not meet expectations, violating ebay rules and the binding legal nature of a completed auction contract.
• Misrepresenting new models of designer sunglasses as being "vintage" sunglasses.
• If a buyer wins an ebay Resolution Center case and is able to return a worthless items, fine print hidden deep in listings notes that there is a "20% restocking fee." As such, a seller can intentionally misrepresent an item's condition through words and through a nonsensical numerical rating, and even if the buyer wins the right of return they have to pay 20% of the purchase price regardless. Thus, the auction seller can then relist the item and pockets 20% margins over and over regardless of returns.

 

The Vintage Sunglasses Shop has compiled an extensive file of counterfeit listings and fraudulent methods and transactions on ebay. Often after reporting these sellers to the ebay Trust & Safety Department in an effort to protect other buyers and sellers and preserve some degree of integrity in the ebay marketplace, we are often called and sent profane and threatening emails. While we and our attorneys are more than capable of protecting our company against the actions and threats of this type of individual, we feel it is important to make transparent the type of overt lies and fraudulent actions buyers and sellers of vintage sunglasses on ebay have to contend with. We update this page periodically to highlight some of the most egregious behaviors we see that sadly result in too many people being cheated who are only trying to buy authentic vintage sunglasses.

 

The Vintage Sunglasses Shop is based in Pawleys Island, SC, and we are the world's largest retailer of authentic vintage designer sunglasses. We are here to protect your investment - and your eyes. Don't be fooled by fakes and misrepresentations - read about our vetting process and our condition & authenticity guarantee. If you are ever displeased with anything you buy here, you can return it for a full refund - no questions asked.

Tell your friends about us on Facebook or Twitter, then enter promo code 444971 at checkout to save 10% on your entire order plus always free shipping in the US and subsidized express shipping worldwide.

We buy finer vintage designer sunglasses that meet our standards; learn how to sell your vintage sunglasses at good prices with no fees, hassles, or uncertainties.

Thank you for visiting and shopping at the Vintage Sunglasses Shop!