Counterfeit Xbox One S controller - eBay refund advice?

Switchblade88 on 17/02/2021 - 21:20

Bought another controller for the kids to play together (rather than stealing mine!) - the One S version with bluetooth (model 1708).

However, immediately upon opening the thing felt off - just not quite 100%. I would know, I have spent thousands of hours with genuine controllers in hand.

Upon closer inspection, the plastic just isn't perfect. The thumbsticks have mold lines. The warranty sticker isn't stuck down. I weighed it compared to the genuine 1708 model and it is 18g lighter… not much seemingly, but thats about 8% overall and certainly not a rounding error.

Obviously I'll put a refund claim in via eBay, and I'll chat with eBay support tomorrow about what else to do - any other advice?

Gaming Game Controller Microsoft Xbox One Accessory

Comments

  • abb on 17/02/2021 - 21:43
    +1

    Take photos of the defects as proof.

    If the seller asks you to send it back, refuse. As I understand, it's against the law to mail counterfeit products in Australia, so you wouldn't want to open yourself to liability!

    You should get a 100% refund, ebay won't do anything to prevent the seller continuing on with their scam though.

    • Switchblade88 on 17/02/2021 - 21:57
      +1

      That's basically what I'd figured - but I'm not sure exactly what grounds I have to refuse a return on.

      The eBay counterfeit item policy doesn't say I shouldn't return the item. I foresee that in order to receive a refund, I'll have to prove I returned the item and thus the seller can continue to sell unheeded.

      I need some (Aussie) legal standing about posting a counterfeit item

      • Quantumcat on 17/02/2021 - 22:05

        Usually PayPal asks you for evidence that you've destroyed the item to get a refund. Not sure if ebay will be the same.

        • Switchblade88 on 17/02/2021 - 22:08

          I used Shopback eBay vouchers, and I'm raising the issue with eBay not Paypal, so I don't know if there are similar requirements or not.

      • abb on 18/02/2021 - 11:03

        I've received counterfeit goods from ebay before, and I got a full refund without having to send back or destroy the item. Unfortunately it was a long time ago so I can't recall whether I complained to the seller or ebay.

        However my case was more clear cut, the item was described as "Genuine NameBrand Widget", but it had some distinguishing marks that showed it was clearly an illegal knock-off, complete with unauthorised use of brand name and logo.

    • ItsMeAgro on 18/02/2021 - 09:12

      One warning: seller may try to specify what kind of postage and the address you use to return it. DO NOT LISTEN. It's a scam that you won't discover until it's already returned, to trick ebay into not refunding you.

      Instead, google ebay's own dispute resolution procedure and follow what ebay says instead. They will have the correct address and what kind of postage you need to use.

      • Forfiet on 18/02/2021 - 15:29
        +1

        Like abb said "it's against the law to mail counterfeit products in Australia" so if they try to force the issue tell them you will refer them(ebay or paypal) to the ombudsman and relevant authorities and that will shut them up real quick…

  • Danstar on 17/02/2021 - 21:52
    +2

    Did you check the serial number on MS site ?

    • Switchblade88 on 17/02/2021 - 21:57
      +2

      Indeed, it's not recognised

  • deme on 17/02/2021 - 22:06
    +2

    Only advice: do the claim asap and do not close it if the seller asks

  • Yummy on 17/02/2021 - 22:08

    Name & shame seller.

  • Switchblade88 on 17/02/2021 - 22:11

    pro_auto_parts_au

    The controller is almost impeccable, and basically at RRP so I honestly didn't think much else of the listing at time of purchase. I doubt most other buyers would ever know, and they are functionally identical so nobody would have any cause for concern.

    • Yummy on 17/02/2021 - 22:21
      +3
      • Auto Parts
      • 196 feedbacks
      • ex-demo for $80
      • no original packaging, as per Note:1 - Have no original package because of imported (BS) reason.

      I see 4 red flags so far.

      • Switchblade88 on 17/02/2021 - 22:24

        Yep. Poor due diligence on my part.

        See, this is where my 'Price + postage, lowest first' search bites me in the ass and I jump on the cheapest deal I see.

      • spackbace on 17/02/2021 - 22:25
        +3

        AU One S/X Wireless Bluetooth Game Controller Gamepad for MS Xbox One S Window

        No mention of "genuine", or putting "Microsoft" early in the title = red flag

        Check their store, all auto parts except for 3 listings of controllers = red flag

        • jayboi on 17/02/2021 - 22:41

          In the specs in brand it does say MS is they definitely know they are taking advantage of buyers by showing real controllers, how shady

          • thatonethere on 17/02/2021 - 23:21

            @jayboi: They skirt it careful by saying it is "for MS Xbox", not that it is a "Microsoft Xbox controller"

            the specs say it's 'compatible'

            last edit - I spotted one line where you could get them "Xbox One S Wireless Blue tooth Controller" - you could hit up ebay and say you relied on that line being an indication the product as genuine Xbox One S Wireless Blue tooth controller.

            • jayboi on 17/02/2021 - 23:29
              +1

              @thatonethere:

              Have no original package because of imported reason

              Wow this line is dodgy AF, because of imported reason? Utter BS, its because it isn't even original Microsoft.

              An honest seller would just add in the description that it is not genuine.

              Also OP, make sure to leave negative feedback for the seller

    • Muzeeb on 17/02/2021 - 23:02

      Take at least AU $2.10 off with eBay Plus

      Lol. Not today ebay. Not today.

  • Axelstrife on 17/02/2021 - 22:45
    +1

    Simple way to tell is simply connect it to a windows 10 PC and open the Xbox accessories app, fakes wouldn't be detected as an xbox controller.

    From that listing i can easily say it's a fake.

    Mold lines on the sticks are only for replacement sticks as they are always slightly worse quality than originals.

    • Switchblade88 on 20/02/2021 - 20:34

      Interestingly enough, I tested this today and the controller WAS recognised in the Xbox Accessories app.

      It was willing to let me remap buttons etc as expected.

      • Axelstrife on 20/02/2021 - 20:58

        try and update it, im not sure but there's a chance the app simply recognizes it as a generic controller and allows button remapping.

        Maybe it's a refurbished controller with replacement sticks.

        Do you have pictures of the controller you received?

  • newjerseydamo on 18/02/2021 - 08:35
    +1

    Had to deal with a counterfeit item years ago.
    Lodged the dispute as counterfeit, PayPal/eBay refunded, and I didn't have to ship it back.

    • Topdog on 18/02/2021 - 10:17

      serious? Counterfeit items suck, and yes refund should always be given, Just a thought though, what if the seller honestly diddnt know he/she/they was selling counterfeit goods and wanted the product back to take up with their supplier etc. Also the buyer could say it was counterfeit and it was not, and the photo they have sent to ebay etc is actually a counterfeit item they bought back from Thailand or something?

      As I said , just a thought. I assume/wonder if they have mechanisms in place to stop this.

      • abb on 18/02/2021 - 11:07
        +1

        what if the seller honestly diddnt know he/she/they was selling counterfeit goods and wanted the product back to take up with their supplier etc.

        A. the seller knows that they've bought stock from AliBaba's den of counterfeits, not Microsoft's proper distribution channels
        B. if A is untrue, the seller has many more units of stock which they can return to their supplier

        • Topdog on 19/02/2021 - 09:34

          fair

      • newjerseydamo on 22/02/2021 - 07:40

        I bought an NFL jersey.
        At the time I thought nothing of it, but whilst it was in transit, started to realise it was most likely fake.

        When it arrived, it was 100% fake and had many tell-tale signs of being fake that weren't shown in the photos (seller had half a dozen blurry photos, another sign of something being fake).

        Looking at the seller's profile and what they had sold previously and also for sale, it was clear they were selling Chinese made fakes for a large profit margin.

        As soon as I lodged the dispute, the refund was processed straight away.

        I also created a Word document full of close up photos of the specific components of the jersey showing it was fake, compared to legitimate jerseys.

        Also, considering it was a $30 Chinese knock-off, I gave it away to someone for free who didn't care if it was fake.

        So no, none of what you suggested occurred.

  • manbearpig on 01/03/2021 - 23:46

    It's obvious by how they have plastic over the home button and top plastic. Genuine ones never have those, only 3rd party parts, which these would have been made from.

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