Authenticity Check
 

HI

I spotted this HARTMAN 5021-341 Mobile Office on ebay. It seems like an older model but just can't find any info anywhere. Is this authentic Hartmann?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/160728984383...84.m1497.l2649

Any info especially on the actual external dimensions would be nice to know.

I'm not at all an expert, but the model number doesn't match the current structure. Current products have a 4 digit sku and a 3 digit color. The current mobile office is something like 3021-502 where 502 indicates the color. 502 is black, which is what is in the description. But at least on my screen the color looks brown.

I bought it
 

we will see....... I gotta think that people aren't faking Hartmann. It's not Louis Vuitton or Chanel. Then, again you never know. I'll post again after receiving the item.

I wouldn't have bought it. If it is the real deal, where has it been? Stored with what?

Buying on Ebay could get you a bag full of bed bugs.

Bedbugs???
 

Never thought of that. I'll be sure to open it outside the house and spray it with Raid. That sounds crazy but better safe than sorry.

Buying anywhere can get you a bag full of bed bugs, Macy*s and Bloomingdale's have both had them.

Of course, both stores insist that only one was present and they killed it, but that's not really realistic.

the bag is going back
 

so I received the bag.....

It wasn't old at all. In fact, it had a cargo sticker from EVA Airlines. Upon careful inspection however there were some parts of the bag that just didn't measure up as what I consider to be a Hartmann quality. So I called Hartmann but they couldn't find the exact part number. Not a good sign. She did say however that the design I described to her was something that existed in the model line up a long time ago. They don't even have a sample of it anymore in their own warehouse.

I asked how its possible to get a fresh newly manufactured bag with very recent looking cargo tag from China..... She wasn't sure. But my friends in the clothing business tell me that its really simple for the factory in China to keep on manufacturing the same bag even after the contract ends so long as there is a buyer overseas.

I don't know if that is authentic or not. Hypothetically speaking, if honhai keeps making iphone3's long after iphone 4S is out in the market, is that authentic? Quality control??? what's that???? Apple doesn't even know they are making it???? (for example)

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.

following through
 

I gave the seller until Tuesday (given Holiday weekend in the US) to get back to me with a proper explanation - crooks need a holiday too.... If not, I will do exactly what you stated in your post.

I will post what happens.

I'm sure it will be successful for you in the long run.

I've been down this road before on a pair of headphones and a chair, both which turned out to be frauds. I was travelling in Brasil when another EBAY buyer was kind enough to notify me on the fake headphones he had also purchased. It took a claim being filed to get the sellers' attention, but everything was refunded once the fake item was returned ( and tracked ) back to the seller.

I have not had a problem with luggage as I stick with Rimowa, but were I to make this type of purchase online I would ask the seller through EBAY to verify the item is genuine.

On a related subject, Isopropyl ( Alcohol 70-91 % ), Lysol, or Sporicidin 50% with H20 is effective regarding bedbugs, etc. in and on luggage, bedding, clothing, furniture, and other travel and household items. My wife and I like the Amazon basin and the Nordeste region of Brasil, and a spray application is a good post-travel preventative routine anywhere one travels these days. Cordelli is spot on regarding the incidents at Macy's and Bloomingdales.

result
 

got my money back in full including shipping! i'll be more careful next time.

I'm very glad to hear that your funds were returned to you in full, as we all are.

This specific FT thread offers a caveat and cautionary regarding online offers that sometimes appear too good to be true. Don't be afraid or embarrassed to raise questions on such purchases, no matter how small, as many here have personal experience, or know of someone that has been victimized by similar frauds.

I hope you are able to in turn pass your experience on helpfully someday, to another in the same situation.

Did you get to keep the bag too? :D

No......and I didn't want to.

I'm just glad eBay and the seller lived up to the Authenticity Guarantee. Much different than just a number of years ago when knock-off's were everywhere on eBay. And technically speaking this was a border line case.