Fake Mac Pigments on eBay

So recently I had/still having the lovely pleasure of having to deal with getting my refund back for purchasing some FAKE MAC Pigments from a seller on eBay.

I got a 5 MAC Pigment lot for a total of $36.00 (including ship & handle)! I thought I got a FREAKING AMAZING deal! Normally pigments cost $19.50 a jar at any MAC counter, store or website.

Thus 5 jars x $19.50 a pop = $97.50

I thought sweet I'm SAVING $61.50!!!

Trying to save a few bucks is SO SO not worth the hassle and headache!!!

eBay seller ICEGDS18 is now on my sh#t list!!!

This seller not only claimed the product they sold was authentic, but was extremely rude and DEMANDED I list the reasons why/how their MAC was a FAKE!! Seriously, they DEMANDED twice for this list! And me, being as I am sent them 3 messages (cause eBay has a word limit) telling this person everything they wanted to know!

Let me tell you, it's been a pain my a$$. And I do realize now, that I did bring it upon myself. I didn't educate myself on the ways to recognize fake product from authentic based on pictures alone. But needless to say this will never happen again :)

Below is my Youtube video explanation of how the eBay pigments I received differed from a pigment I had gotten a month before from a MAC Store!!!

Tips so you won't be a Victim of FAKE MAC

• Items listed on eBay at an AMAZING price are TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE! Do the math if you are saving over 50 % with purchasing from that seller, verses getting them at a counter, store or website. There has to be a CATCH!!! Think about it, would you be willing to sell any of your REAL name brand items for a fraction of what you paid for them? Yes, those who are lucky enough to have the MAC Pro Card or work for the company (or sister company) get sweet discounts,deals and gratis.

• Most Important Rule ALWAYS ask for multiple pictures of the product. Top of the box, bottom of the box, front of the back, back of the box. With it being pigments you also want, bottom of the jar, inside of the jar, and back of the jar (especially if you get a lot of them). IF THE SELLER HAS AN ISSUE WITH YOUR REQUESTS, SAVE YOUR MONEY!!! MORE THAN LIKELY WHAT THEY ARE SELLING ISN'T GENUINE!!!

• Check out the sellers overall feedback percentage, make note of any Neutral or NEGATIVE. Check out what was sold and the comments from the buyer who left Neutral or NEGATIVE feedback. If it's similar to an item you are interested it, it gives you forewarning of what COULD happen to you.

• IF THE SELLER HAS FAKE PRODUCT (AND IS STATING ITS GENINUE) OR YOU HAVE BEEN A VICTIM, MAKE SURE TO NOTIFY EBAY OF THE SITUATION. Ebay will try (to the best of their ability) to rectify any problem that you might have. Make sure to file an Open case and give them all your information. Keep all messages sent between you and the seller, the more you have. The easier it is for eBay to (hopefully) get your money back and deal with the EVIL FAKE Sellers!!!

Pictures of FAKE MAC vs REAL MAC

This is suppose to be VANILLA Pigment. Notice how it says "Vanila". MAC would never release a product with a misprint/misspelling, even to whole sellers. If you are looking into purchasing product and it's misspelled, more than likely its a FAKE!!!MAC products will always have an Alpha Numeric label besides the name of the product. This is part of their production code, letting customers know when their product was manufactured. This code will be on the top of the exterior box, as well as on the bottom of the container. If it's in any other colored sticker other than silver (and at one point MAC used Clear labeling, but that's really old packaging) it's more than likely a FAKE! Left FAKE Vanila compared to Right REAL Violet.
To better understand and find out when your product was produced refer to link below http://allysoncheng.multiply.com/journal/item/16
Finally lifting the lid of the pigment container will also be helpful if determining if a pigment is real or FAKE. This is the old packaging of pigments (as of Jan 2010, the containers will be more travel friendly), however notice the flat clear topper of the Violet. If you take this off (and sorry didn't show up well or I would've posted a pic) the topper itself on the bottom will have raised up Alpha Numerics as well. Meanwhile the Vanila has a shifter style topper, MAC would never use this type of packaging. If you see this, then it's FAKE!!!

Hope this is helpful and remember when it doubt, just buy from a counter, store or online.
Consider getting on MAC's email list, you will receive emails with a FREE shipping code. I am signed up and seriously get emails at least twice a week and it UBBER sucks!! Because it makes me want to shop all the time! Every time I have an email from them, even if I was just on the site the day before, I have to look. I know, I have a shopping problem! But for reals, what female out there doesn't?
Until later mis Bonitas :)
Besos

New to the World of Blogging

A Little About Me:

My name is Lorena, but most people call me Lo

I'm 27, married to an amazing man. With two pets.

I'm originally from Sunny San Diego, but currently living in Speicher, Germany cause my hunny is doing his duty and serving our country in the USAF.

I do have my Bachelor's Degree in English, I'm hoping (needing) to get my Credential and Masters in Education, cause I would like to be a teacher.

I'm an avid collector depending on what phase I'm into, it was shoes, then purses and now its MAKE UP!!!

I'm a self proclaimed MAC whore, though I am learning very quickly the ways of Urban Decay, NYX, etc.

What I like to do for fun:

I like to go and knock down some pins at the bowling alley on base, it kills some time (especially on Sundays when Germany is pretty much shut down). I'm getting fairly decent at it, everytime I go my average gets a little bit better

If there isn't anything to watch or my hunny wants to play his game (WoW, yes I married one of those people!!! ) I will read a book that I picked up from the library. I read pretty much anything, though I love to read novels (that a movie is based off of). You would be surprised to know how much Hollywood changes a writers hard work, just so it can appease the auidence.

I constantly am cruising the internet, browsing for something to buy (eBay, Maccosmetics, FredericksofHollywood, CherryCulture). Watching and learning new things from videos off of YouTube, my favorites are tutorials of makeup. I will also have open MakeupAlley.com to read reviews on any product mentioned in a video, to find out it its really worth the hubby's hard-earned dollar! ha ha! Or I could be fiddling around on Facebook or Myspace, it sucks living in another time zone. If I make any phone calls back to the states, I normally get voicemails or I'm waking someone up!!!

Why I'm starting this website:

As I stated before I pursue whatever phase/fad I am into at the time full heartedly. Since it is makeup, I do plan on using this site to give opinions/review of various product. as well as suggestions of different looks. All comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated of what I do. Hope that you enjoy this site, and if you have any questions feel free to contact me :)

Besos

Lorena the So-Cal Grl In Germany