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MC999 - AFACT - Newbie
 

Okay, I think I could be in a bit of strife...

A friend told me about dropshipping... told me how successful he had been at it last year, told me how to do it etc..
So I thought I would give it a shot .. (Hindsight - if it sounds too good to be true, it is.)

Anyway, I made 8 sales in the last 6 days on eBay, this afternoon my account was restricted for 7 days and items were removed.
Upon asking what the issue was, eBay told me that had been advised by AFACT that they believe I am selling unauthorised items and they need to be removed.

I have emailed my dropshipping contact to find out if they are indeed not 'real'. Awaiting to hear back...

You can all blast me and say I should know better, truth be told I didnt. But thats beside the point now.

My question is, if AFACT have contacted eBay.. Should I be expecting a letter from them soon? And if so, how bad are things likely to be? 8 sales in 6 day - thats it - nothing more.

If/When I hear from them am I likely to be told to stop as a warning (of course I already have!) or will I be sued straight up?

I feel so stupid - I wish I had looked into this more before now..
I could almost vomit with anxiety - Ive seen 2 other posts saying theyve been sued for $8,000 and $13,000 - I do believe they were selling for longer than me.. But still.. Anyone with any information, please share.

re: MC999 - AFACT - Newbie
 

What is AFACT? and how much $$ are we talking about that you sold?

re: MC999 - AFACT - Newbie
 

AFACT = Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft

If you get a letter, seek legal advise.

re: MC999 - AFACT - Newbie
 

As James mentioned, you need legal advice....especially if your using a legit account.

re: MC999 - AFACT - Newbie
 

What country were you dropshipping them from?

re: MC999 - AFACT - Newbie
 

Hello all..
Thank you so much for replying...

I am from Australia, AFACT is Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft... (didnt know such a thing existed)

I believe from memory I sold 7 items in my 6 days... Profit wise - I think I made about $200 tops...

Now for the stupid part, I was using a china based drop shipper - I know (NOW) this was probably stupid.. However, a friend of mine was using them with no trouble.. and on their wesbite they state that since 2007 they have been specialising in dropshipping mainly for ebay, amazon etc...

Given this, I assumed (mistake) that everything was above board and legit...

Im still waiting back to hear from them as I have now queried this...

Id by lying if I said that I wasnt sh*tting myself about getting a letter from AFACT.. although hoping that I was only doing this for 6 days that I may not get in to too much trouble if I do find out (for sure) that these items werent genuine....

re: MC999 - AFACT - Newbie
 

Don't forget to thank your "friend"! with friends like that...who needs competitors!

Re: MC999 - AFACT - Newbie
 

You are in strife if AFACT have become involved.

At the least, you may get a letter from them.

AFACT are aggressive in Australia in going after even small fry sellers.

As such, you need to take legal advice to safeguard yourself.

I repeat, AFACT do not ignore small fry sellers despite posters suggesting otherwise.

AFACT have the foo-foo industry by the short & curlies. Avoid suggesting otherwise to users involved with them.

:nono:

Re: MC999 - AFACT - Newbie
 

Thanks GreenBean for your honesty...

Still waiting to hear if in fact these are not genuine items.. Lack of reply would suggest they are not.

What do you mean by avoid suggesting otherwise to users involved with them?

Will wait to receive contact from them.. Fingers crossed it's just a letter... God I was so bloody naive, it's driving me insane!

Any idea of the outcome of others that have come under their attention? I've seen a post of two from a few years ago about it - but they never ended up replying saying what the outcome was.

One said they had to stop, send all products and give details of supplier or they would proceed with legal action.. Clearly I've stopped and I don't have any products as I was drop shipping.. Perhaps will I be okay??

Re: MC999 - AFACT - Newbie
 

What were you selling??? If it was brand names, then yes 99% is ripoffs from china, I know all the sites, wont touch them with a barge pole.