Yet another eBay question... stolen merchandise???

[AuroraBorealis]

I recently bid on and won an Anne Klein dress on eBay. I saw the dress at Macy's but didn't want to pay full price for it and managed to find it on eBay.

I got the package a few days ago and the security ink tag is still attached to the dress. Also, the seller *implied* the dress was from Macy's so I expected to see some kind of marking or sticker on the tag. The tag was absolutely clean. There was no markdown, no return sticker, nothing.

The ink tag combined with a clean price tag makes me think the dress might have been stolen. I briefly worked retail when I was fresh out of college and was taught to notice things like this on fradulent returns.

I emailed the seller about the ink tag and have not heard back. The seller also had over 200 positive feedback and no negs but suddenly (after I won the auction) several negatives showed up.

I'm not an eBay newbie (I've been a member since 2000) but this is a whole new situation for me. What should I do? I can't prove the dress is stolen merchandise...should I contact eBay anyway about my suspicions? I will leave negative feedback because of the ink tag.

It just all seems weird to me...

(I'm not worried about the ink tag. I am friends with my former retail manager and she told me to stop by and she would take the tag off. )

Thanks!

 

[barkley]

i'de be concerned if the seller ever gets arrested for theft or shoplifting and it is found she sold on ebay the police would start contacting her buyers. it's one thing if you don't know you are buying stolen goods, but when there is a security tag on it and you have someone in another retail venue remove it for you (vs. going to the store that is clearly indicated on the sales tag) it could be construed as knowingly receiving stolen goods-which is prosecutable.

i don't know how ebay's fraud department works-but i think i would pursue it with them.

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Oh, good point. I didn't think about that. I certainly don't want to get in trouble for somebody else's illegal activity. There is no store indicated on the tag, though. The listing implied it was from Macys and I'd actually be getting the tag off at another Macy's store but now... I'll hold off on doing anything with the dress until I hear from eBay.

Good grief..what a mess...

 

[PixieDust32]

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[Pin Wizard]

I'd notify e-bay and probably head to the local police department with all your paperwork from the sale along with the clothing. You sure don't want to be caught "red handed" at some point.