In recent years, I have achieved excellent results in assisting clients in obtaining refunds for counterfeit items they have purchased domestically and internationally. The most difficult cases are those in the USA, where obtaining a refund is often challenging due to numerous obstacles. These items can often be quite costly, often exceeding £1000 or more Typically, the credit card company will demand a letter from an expert verifying the lack of authenticity of the item, and this expense should also be charged to the credit card company.
If you are aware of what steps to take and have made a payment with a credit card (it is recommended to always use a credit card, even if only for a portion of the payment, as it provides protection), you are eligible to seek a refund through section 75. Not heard of this before? Here is a brief note that will likely convince you to always opt for your credit card in the future!
In 2020, a client approached me seeking authentication for a purchase made in 2000 from a now-defunct store. in the USA. After confirming that the item was not genuine, I was able to confirm that the signature was not authentic although the COA supplied with the item stated that it was, so I suggested that the client contact their credit card company and utilise section 75 to request a refund, which they were unaware of at the time.
After speaking with the card company, they informed him that the time elapsed was too long and he would not receive a refund. I advised him to return to the credit card company and explain that the certificate of authenticity explicitly stated a lifelong guarantee, not just for a period of 12 months, 3 years, or 5 years. Despite their initial attempt to dismiss him, he persisted and with the support of my expert letter, he did eventually receive compensation almost two decades after making the purchase, setting a remarkable precedent.
It is worth noting that the reason he was able to obtain a refund was because his wife had retained the CC receipt and COA from the purchase, providing evidence of when and how the payment was made. It is common for credit card companies to only keep records for up to six years, therefore it is essential to keep all necessary documents for your items. This serves as a reminder for those purchasing signed items to always use a credit card and to store the receipt and COA in a secure location. Section 75 allows for a refund to be requested for similar purchases, even if they were made outside of the UK, and as far as i can tell, despite what the CC company tell you, there is no time limit on these refunds!
I have assisted with a few of these issues so far, but this is the most ancient one yet. It's quite a remarkable achievement to receive a refund after 20 years!
Copyright Garry King 2024
Over the past couple of years I have had some decent results in helping customers obtain refunds for fake signed items purchased both here and abroad. The USA based sales are the key ones as they will never give you a refund and put all kinds of obstacles in the way. Many of these items can be very expensive too sometimes amounting to a £1000 or more. The CC company will normally require a letter from an expert confirming the item is not authentic, and that cost should be passed on to the CC company as well.
So if you know what to do and have paid using a credit card (always pay via a credit card, even if you only pay part of the payment as that will protect you) then you can request a refund using section 75. Not heard of it? well here is a little story that will probably make you always use that credit card in future!
A customer came to me just before Christmas and asked me for authentication on an item he had purchased in 2000 from a shop that is no longer trading. I confirmed to him that the item was not authentic and i was even able to tell him who had actually signed it, and it was not the name that was on the authenticity certificate! I advised him to contact his CC company and request a refund using section 75 which at the time he knew nothing about.
After speaking with them they told him that it was too long ago and that he would not be covered. I then told him to go back to the CC company and tell them that the COA clearly stated that the item was guaranteed authentic for life, not 12 months, not three years or 5 years but for life and to go back and try again. Needless to say they did try and fob him off, but with some perseverance and the required expert letter from myself they did pay up, and that was almost 20 years after he had purchased it, which must be some kind of record!
I should point out that he was only able to get the refund as his wife had kept the CC receipt and the COA from the purchase, so was able to prove exactly when and how it was paid. CC companies will generally only go back about 6 years in their records, so its important to keep all correct documents with your items. There is a lesson there for anyone buying anything signed, always make sure you use a credit card to pay for it and make sure you keep the receipt and the COA in a safe place. Section 75 will enable you to claim a refund work with any similar purchase even if it was purchased outside of the UK.
Copyright Garry King 2023