I did.
The pictures were authentic, nothing strange or suspicious looking. The jackets looked exactly like the original – the fur, the cut, the logo – all there. It was post-Christmas season and I figured that Canada Goose could have a huge sale. But apparently, it was too good to be true and my gullibility got the best of me.
I received my jacket early in January and as I opened the package, a grey, racoon-looking fur peaked outside the bag. My heart rate increased as I pulled the dark blue parka out the bag. I tried it on, and besides being at least two sizes bigger than what I expected an S to be, I shamefully admitted to myself that I just bought a $300 jacket that was counterfeit. All panicky, I did some online research and found an entire section on counterfeit merchandise at the Canada Goose website: http://www.canada-goose.com/counterfeit. I contacted The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, canceled my credit card, and after several emails and phone calls, I got a full refund for may fake merchandise. (SO thankful!)
I don’t think I need to mention that the incident was a bit embarrassing (to be honest, there were a few more-or-less obvious warning signs that I have managed to ignore). But I am kind of glad I got this experience off of my bucket list (just kidding! experiencing fraud was never really part of my bucket list). Having experienced this first hand though, I now know a bit more about how to deal with fraud. Oh, and I am also reminded that just because something (anything) appears authentic, it does not mean that it is ever the. real. thing.
Been there? Done that?
Do this: (i) Cancel your credit card. (ii) Contact The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (belliott@antifraudcentre.ca or 1 888 495 8501). (iii) Contact the actual retailer and ask them to verify association with the unauthentic retailer you’ve purchased your counterfeit product from. Once the retailer verifies there is no association, fax this verification (i.e. letter/email) to your bank.
Final tip: laugh. It can happen to anybody.
All the best.