Fake designer makeup- don't get conned

eBayers are generally here for a bargan, but nothing comes free. If youdon't take extra precautions, understand your rights and responsibilities when buying, prepare to get burnt.After being burnt by fakes, I want to educate and stamp out fakes. At present, Mot Hennessy Louis Vuitton and the house of Dior are suing eBay for the huge amount of fakes up on eBay, alleging over the past 5 years, 90% of the handbags on display at any one time are fake. eBay are of course claiming otherwise, but my suggestions about the ability to eliminate results from certain countries have been ignored.RIGHTSTo have questions answered about authenticity and the source of a particular itemFor reasonable shipping price and quotesFor genuine merchandiseFor a refund if the product proves to be fakeTo not have to pay for shipping back a counterfeit product- if the seller tries to make you do it, open a dispute against them in your 'dispute console' under MyeBay.RESPONSIBILITIESTo prove the item is fake if you think it is- the burden of proof lies on the buyer, unfortunately. If recovering your money is that important, you will go and visit shops and experts ASAP (within three days), contact the seller about a refund, and/or open a dispute.To check feedback- has a seller sold things thought "fake" before? Is there enough feedback to work out if this person is selling genuine merchandise?To ask questions and do your homework- Would there be a lot of genuine Dior in Singapore/China?To pay via legitimate channels and obey eBay rules so that you can take advantage of its remedies.To file complaints in eBay against sellers who sell fake merchandiseTo use common sense- as if you can buy a Louis Vuitton wallet for $10...unless it's well-used.PITFALLSNever assume a seller with a lot of feedback sells only genuine merchandise, or that one selling a lot of merchandise is genuine. On two occasions I have dealt with sellers who will give me a refund after I claim the item is 'fake'/'a copy'...sellers fear being tarred with the 'fake' brush. If they can escape it, for every one return, they'll have five suckers who won't be bothered. I have been sold fakes from the US, UK and Australia, 2/3 imported from Asia. Those selling a lot usually are selling a truckload of fakes- be very careful when buying from large sellers. Never buy designer goods/label goods/anything of value from Asia- they're almost always fake/worthless. Be on the lookout for sellers importing direct from Asia. If the seller speaks poor English, this can also be an indication. High postage costs can be a giveaway.Designer goods are made in Italy, France, and the US usually. Why would Asia be able to sell you an imported designer good for a lower price than its sold from its home region?Any goods claiming to be made other than Western Europe/the US is a FAKE.