Your friends in the clothing industry are quite right.

Many subcontract manufacturers in China will continue to make items years after an order is finished, or in some cases copy and manufacture anything of value outright, and then offer it for sale as an discounted original.

Luggage, furniture, electronics, and most recently avionics in US Military aircraft. Anything goes, including support and certification stamps, instructions, packaging, and seals.

Solution:

You describe this as an EBAY purchase. I would immediately contact EBAY and file a dispute claim stating that as this case cannot be verified as an original, authentic item, it is " Not as described. " You have a short period of time to do this, so get started.

EBAY and PAYPAL take a very dim view of sellers peddling knockoffs, counterfeits, and fakes using the EBAY service, but they do a very good job of backing up the buyer victimized by these frauds, when it is reported to them.

1. Take photographs inside and outside the case, including the cargo tag.
2. Document and include the fact Hartman could not verify the item ID Nr.
3. After you file your claim, contact the seller advising the fact the item is not as described, and you have filed a claim and are requesting a full refund, including all shipping costs.
4. Be prepared for the " Huh ?, No Refunds, " and " Saaaay Whaaat ? " responses, but hold your ground. Let the seller shoulder the burden of proof on authentication. Ultimately you will prevail and EBAY will support your position.