Ebay fraud.

[Rastoff]

On 15 April, 2014, I purchased a Magpul MS3 rifle sling from a seller on Ebay. The seller listed the sling location as Florida. I was suspicious as soon as I saw it was shipping by China Post. I contacted the seller and asked why it was coming from China and received no response. At that point I was sure I had been duped. Still, I waited until the promised latest delivery date passed; 13 May. The sling has not shown up yet so, I left a negative feedback.

Today I opened a case with Ebay to see if I can receive a refund. I also tried to report the seller to Ebay as having a fraudulent listing. Since the seller is still there and still has the same item listed, I can only assume that Ebay hasn't received my complaint or doesn't care.

I've been dealing with Ebay for more than 15 years. In all that time, I've never left a negative feedback. I've never had to. Every item I've bought has been accurately represented.

To be sure, I called Magpul today. They verified that all their products are made in the USA and there is no reason for any legitimate Magpul product to come from China.


Whenever I buy something over the internet, I always consider that I might get taken. I ask myself, "Can I afford to lose this money?" If the answer isn't "yes" then I don't buy it. So, I'm not really concerned with receiving a refund. It wasn't a lot of money and I can chalk it up to experience. What I'm more interested in is to see if Ebay will take care of this seller so he won't defraud more people with fake junk.

Anyone here ever open a case with Ebay? Not receive an item?

 

[Evil Dog]

Was it listed as a Magpul MS3 Sling or a Magpul MS3 Style Sling? I've found out that there are both USA and foreign made products marketed as Magpul. The USA made ones of much higher quality while the foreign made ones are designed for the "airsoft" market.

 

[tomtheturner]

I once had to complain to Ebay about a misrepresented item. They quickly got my money refunded. It was fast, and no hassle.

 

[Rastoff]

Was it listed as a Magpul MS3 Sling or a Magpul MS3 Style Sling?

I had the same question. There are plenty on Ebay that say stuff like that. So, I scrutinized the listing thoroughly. Nope, it just says Magpul.

I've found out that there are both USA and foreign made products marketed as Magpul. The USA made ones of much higher quality while the foreign made ones are designed for the "airsoft" market.

This is not accurate. I'm sure there are many fakes, but the real deal is durable and made for big boy rifles. If it has the Magpul name on it, and it's not made for real guns, it's a fake.

If anyone wants to see the product in question, here is the item number: 111325390216
I won't post a link to it because that is against the forum rules. However, you can just copy that number, use it to do a search on Ebay and the listing should come up.

 

[GKC]

I once had to complain to Ebay about a misrepresented item. They quickly got my money refunded. It was fast, and no hassle.

I haven't but my wife has a couple of times...over items that were misrepresented, arrived damaged, etc. She got resolution and a refund very promptly.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Even though it's late I would not be surprised if the fake is delivered. Lots of info including vids on the Net comparing the fake MS3 to real. They look near identical.

 

[Evil Dog]

Copied from their item description.... " Magpul is located in Boulder CO, Magpul PTS is located in Hong Kong, which is Magpul's sister company for International sales it is still a Magpul Company and their products are not fake. This sling is made by Magpul PTS."

When (and if) it arrives it would not surprise me at all if it is not marked Magpul.

 

[Marine Corps Air]

Ebay fraud

Doesn't E-bay still have a "Buyer Protection Plan"?

Is this the link that you used to report the problem?

Online Customer Support didn't receive my item

 

[THE PILGRIM]

You got to carefully read the fine print.
On E-bay what is the Fine Print?
On E-bay everything is the Fine Print.

 

[Rastoff]

Copied from their item description.... " Magpul is located in Boulder CO, Magpul PTS is located in Hong Kong, which is Magpul's sister company for International sales it is still a Magpul Company and their products are not fake. This sling is made by Magpul PTS."

When (and if) it arrives it would not surprise me at all if it is not marked Magpul.

According to Magpul, when I talked to them today, ALL their products are made in the US. Even so, I'd be OK with it had the seller even hinted that the product was from China in the original listing.

I forgot to add in the OP, all the stuff you see from the heading, "Shipping, Tracking and handling" on down, was added a couple days AFTER I hit the Buy It Now button. Hmmm, I wonder why he did that? Could it be that he added that stuff because I asked him why he lied about the item location? And, if it's from this "sister" company, why doesn't the brand say Magpul PTS? Why doesn't the item location say China? No, this guy is intentionally trying to deceive people.


I honestly hope this sling comes in. How much do you want to bet that it says "Made in the USA" on it?

 

[mjlabs]

personally I would forego ebay all together and buy from a known source such as midway or brownells, etc. May cost alittle more, but peace of mind goes a long way. Hope it all works out for ya my friend...

 

[sophie]

As far as opening a case in the resolution center on ebay goes.

Over the last 8 years I have had occasion to open 2 cases on items I bought and both times ebay took action and resolved the issues so I have no complaint. You do have to be on the lookout and read the buyer or seller's feedback and reviews.

 

[gdnagle]

From Magpul PTS
"Thanks for contacting tech support.



PTS products will normally carry the PTS logo or PTS markings directly on the product. It is uncommon for counterfeit items to carry the PTS logo directly on the product, also counterfeit items will be made from an inferior quality material to PTS, their form will not match genuine PTS products, and you can also expect to see production marks such as excessive flash etc amongst other details.



Please contact Magpul for counterfeit identification of Magpul products.





Thanks,



James"

Also

"Thanks for contacting tech support.



PTS Magpul products are the Airsoft only version of Magpul products.



As PTS products are designed for Airsoft training & simulation use only, therefore, it is not recommended to use PTS products on any real firearms. PTS Magpul shall not be responsible for injury, death, or property damage resulting from faulty installation, misuse, illegal use or modification of PTS products.





Thanks,



James"

This doesn't mean they don't work on real firearms.
But don't worry Magpul PTS has haulted production so anything from overseas is not Magpul. As per July 31, 2013

More On Magpul's Decision To Halt Airsoft Products | Popular Airsoft

 

[Jeff423]

I once had to complain to Ebay about a misrepresented item. They quickly got my money refunded. It was fast, and no hassle.

My experience as well. Twice

Jeff

 

[Beemerguy53]

personally I would forego ebay all together and buy from a known source such as midway or brownells, etc. May cost alittle more, but peace of mind goes a long way. Hope it all works out for ya my friend...

Amen to this! In all too many instances, buying something on eBay is like rolling the dice in Las Vegas...you never really know what's going to happen.

 

[Rastoff]

Amen to this! In all too many instances, buying something on eBay is like rolling the dice in Las Vegas...you never really know what's going to happen.

No, I don't agree with this. I've bought 137 items on Ebay without a single problem. I'm certainly not a power user, but as long as I've read the ads carefully, never had an issue.

In this case the seller flat out lied and changed the listing after I bought it. It's impossible to read something that isn't there. Had the seller listed all the info in the first place, I would have passed it by.

Time will tell the tale. We'll see what Ebay does.

 

[TXSlade]

FYI, the eBay seller was fraudulent.

Using Google search type; "fake magpul ms3 sling"

Then go to the "ms3 counterfeit comparison" on ak47.net

You will be amazed at how close the counterfeits match. Even the freaking packaging. That pisses me off. Magpul is a fine company that deserves our dollars, and these thieves fooling buyers by outright lying is egregious behavior.

Eotech sights is another you have to be careful. I saw a guy buy one at a gun show, I told him that $300 was not possible, it was a chinese copy you could buy online for under $100, but he wouldn't listen. It was a bad counterfeit, in hand, but online, it would be easy to fool you.

 

[TXSlade]

As far as blaming eBay, I respect everyone's opinion.
1. Everywhere you go people are dishonest, most are honest
2. Mall ninjas could care less if they have real Magpul, they will never need the strength and dependability of the real deal, so counterfeits will always exist, and those who will buy and love them
3. The seller had atrocious rating, maybe it came after this purchase but rating is everything when buying
4. Buyers have all the power, you don't like it, charge it back, use a credit card if you're a buyer and don't link your bank account, you will win any argument

 

[chief38]

Ebay is no better or worse than doing business anywhere else. I have seen scams and schemes in local retail stores just as many times as on line. Today, you must be EXTRA careful when buying because the Scammers are now thriving. Seems like they are in every industry and hobby, and the scams are getting more & more intricate by the day. It amazes me sometimes just how resourceful some of them can be. Scammers love the internet because it's so impersonal and so easy to pray on unsophisticated and inexperienced on-line buyers.

 

[mjlabs]

With ebay you REALLY don't know who your dealing with as a company, it could be a 40 yr old hacker in his moms basement for all we know. Order from a reputable company as I mentioned above and your chances of being 'had' by them are slim to none. I would rather choose to 'err on the side of caution' with my money , but that's just me....