# E-Bay question- hand bags of questionable provenance... **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 2, 2008, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-bay-question-hand-bags-of-questionable-provenance/451528 "2008-06-02T20:25:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2008, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-bay-question-hand-bags-of-questionable-provenance/451528/1 "2008-06-02T20:25:06Z")
So I am planning on listing a few purses on E-Bay, but a couple of them were purchased in China and I don’t know if they are real, “merely” black market or fake. What is my due diligence here? Can I not say “Burberry bag” unless I myself bought it in the Burberry store? Any experience? ---
**Author:** ![MovingTarget](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/edb3f5/32.png) [@MovingTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovingTarget)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2008, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-bay-question-hand-bags-of-questionable-provenance/451528/2 "2008-06-02T20:49:42Z")
Originally posted by **eBay** > [@](#): > > Potentially infringing –- These items may be in violation of certain copyrights, trademarks, or other rights. Some items are not allowed, even though they may be legal, because they almost always violate copyright or trademark laws. > > Examples of listings that are not allowed include: > > **Listings with counterfeit or bootleg items (counterfeits, replicas and unauthorized copies).** > > Listings that include disclaimers of knowledge of, or responsibility for, the authenticity or legality of the items offered in their listings. For policy and examples, see Authenticity Disclaimers. > > To avoid creating listings that would infringe upon intellectual property rights, see Protecting Intellectual Property Rights. You can also take eBay’s tutorial on Intellectual Property Policies and VeRO. bolding the important bits. But I’ll give my two cents as well. I’ve read several stories about people who have been nailed for fraud because they sold something they thought was real and wasn’t. I wouldn’t sell it if I didn’t know the authenticity, but you’re welcome to try your luck. Good luck, hope it’s a real Burberry you got there too. MT ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2008, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-bay-question-hand-bags-of-questionable-provenance/451528/3 "2008-06-02T20:58:47Z")
There’s a Burberry store in Costa Mesa, you could go in and ask. SOUTH COAST PLAZA 3333 BRISTOL STREET COSTA MESA, CA 92626 +1 714 556 8110 MON-FRI 10AM - 9PM SAT 10AM - 7PM SUN 11AM - 6PM ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2008, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-bay-question-hand-bags-of-questionable-provenance/451528/4 "2008-06-02T22:35:57Z")
If you are not 100% sure beyond any doubt that the bags are authentic, don’t list them. A lot of the major manufacturers (Kate Spade and Coach, esp., but Burberry wouldn’t surprise me) have employees constantly searching ebay for fake bag listings that can be pulled. It doesn’t matter whether you knew it was fake or not, or whether you posted in the listing that you weren’t sure if it was fake. If you use the word “Burberry” anywhere in the title or description and the bag isn’t really Burberry, you’ll get dinged. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2008, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-bay-question-hand-bags-of-questionable-provenance/451528/5 "2008-06-02T23:33:30Z")
[QUOTE=MsWhatsit] If you are not 100% sure beyond any doubt that the bags are authentic, don’t list them. A lot of the major manufacturers (Kate Spade and Coach, esp., but Burberry wouldn’t surprise me) have employees constantly searching ebay for fake bag listings that can be pulled. It doesn’t matter whether you knew it was fake or not, or whether you posted in the listing that you weren’t sure if it was fake. If you use the word “Burberry” anywhere in the title or description and the bag isn’t really Burberry, you’ll get dinged. [/QUOTE] Not only will you get dinged, but your posting privileges may be suspended. ---
**Author:** ![Kayeby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@Kayeby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kayeby)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2008, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-bay-question-hand-bags-of-questionable-provenance/451528/6 "2008-06-02T23:38:17Z")
I haven’t sold in years, but way back when I remember people getting reported for saying something like “This was a gift and I’m not sure if it’s real Burberry. I’ve taken detailed photos, but you’re bidding at your own risk”. I second the recommendation to get it checked at the store. Also check out [MyPoupette](http://www.mypoupette.com/) - even if you don’t want to pay for their authentications they have pictures of designer bags that you can compare yours to (OK just checked the website and the gallery is down at the moment, but apparently it should be up soon). ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2008, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-bay-question-hand-bags-of-questionable-provenance/451528/7 "2008-06-03T00:55:37Z")
Thanks guys- I appreciate the info!