We're an eBay affiliate and may be compensated on purchases made through clicks.

I bought a Garo "Garland" Forgery and need assistance with return

So it has come to my attention through the help in this forum that I purchased fake "Wizard Of Oz" signed piece on EBAY with signatures of Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley and Frank Morgan. (SEE BELOW PHOTOS, scroll to item). Was purchased 2 days ago using Credit Card. It has a Frank Garo Certificate Of Authenticity (Which is now under scrutiny). Looking for any help in how to go about stopping this purchase and getting $$ back. Should I put in claim with credit card now? What should I tell them? Any help and feedback would be greatly appreciated.

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 30, 2018 at 6:28am

Hi All,

I have been helping Jim T, new member, since yesterday regarding this very poorly forged Garo "Garland" sheet music. He was having trouble with posting images so I offered to. Any advice to help him would be appreciated. As he mentioned he paid with a Credit Card. My suit is authentication - not this end - returns etc. so any advice for Jim will be welcome. Thank you.

Here is a link to the auction: Auction Link

Here are the images of the item and the "cert". Please click for full images:

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Joe W. on December 30, 2018 at 6:40am

The autographs are fake, imo. Even though the seller does not accept returns I suggest you still request it through eBay. If that doesn't work, try Paypal next if you paid through them. Finally, if you used a credit card, file directly with your credit card company. All three options generally side with buyer so you have a great chance of getting your money back.

I wish you well.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Joe W. on December 30, 2018 at 6:41am

BTW, Frank Garo has a checkered history. I would never trust him as an authenticator.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jim T on December 30, 2018 at 6:57am

Joe, Thank you... Should I request it through EBAY first with SNAD complaint? File dispute with CC company at same time?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Joe W. on December 30, 2018 at 7:03am

I would follow the steps one at a time. First, eBay with item not as described. Second, Paypal. Third, directly through your credit card company.

Hopefully, option one will work. I have returned items to sellers who state they do not accept returns.

You will win this one in the end. Hopefully, the seller will cooperate early without needless pain or issues. From the moment you start a return request the money will be placed on hold until it is resolved.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by michelle on December 30, 2018 at 7:20am

easier using ebay first to file a claim , - but remember if you file a claim with ebay, you cannot open one with paypal and vice versa.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Joe W. on December 30, 2018 at 7:26am

If the eBay return is declined then you can file with Paypal. You just can't do both at the same time. You must to this one step at a time. Most sellers will accept the return. But some hard heads won't. Eventually they will lose. Just be prepared to battle and wait the process out.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Joe W. on December 30, 2018 at 7:27am

I've had to do this with a seller or two in the past so I am familiar with the entire process. I hope this is resolved quickly for you although I seen this take several months to resolve depending on the seller.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Joe W. on December 30, 2018 at 7:51am

If you don't mind, keep us informed on this. You, as the buyer, have the advantage especially since you paid with a credit card.

Hopefully, the seller hasn't mailed it to you yet. Just make sure when you return it to get tracking and signature required for proof of delivery.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on December 30, 2018 at 7:54am

Permalink Reply by Steve Cyrkin, Admin on December 30, 2018 at 1:14pm

Jim,

This should be easy.

Tell the seller you want a refund and why.
Don't compromise on ANYTHING. You are entitled to a 100% refund including S&H.
Seller has 3 days to resolve the claim.
File a buyer protection claim with eBay if it isn't resolved within 3 days.
If you paid with a credit card through the seller's PayPal account I think that you also have buyer protection, even if you don't have a PayPal account.
You probably should discuss this with your credit card company, too, telling them what you're doing, in case they'd like to reverse the charge at this time.

Read this regarding eBay's Buyer Protection:

https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/ebay-money-back-guarantee-policy...

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Jim T on December 31, 2018 at 3:25am

So if I first inform the seller that I would like a refund on the item based on "Significantly Not as Described". Seller will then inform me that he has no return pollicy AND he provided me with a COA from Frank Garo, Forensic Handwriting Examiner Authentication Grading Services... What should I counter with? I know that some of you from this Forum have said that you believe the autographs are fake, do I need a certificate backing my claim saying it's a fake?