I bought skincare items from a 3rd party website. The items contain an authentication sticker with a QR code and alphanumeric identification code that can be scanned by the original brand's app to verify authenticity. All of the instructions for the app are contained on the original brand's website. Every item I received from the seller, however, indicates "the QR code doesn't belong to [original brand]."
When I confronted the seller, they blatantly lied and said the original brand had a significant redesign and that their official app no longer works. Instead, they wanted me to scan the QR code using my phone where I was redirected to a website that "verified" the authenticity. When I did this, I was redirected to a website that's not associated with the original brand at all and is clearly a fake. None of this is verifiable on the original brand's website.
What will be sufficient evidence to prove that the items I received are fake? Is one screenshot of the app enough? I also have screenshots of the app instructions on the original website (which even also show that the authentication sticker looks different than the genuine one), the seller's website indicating all products are authentic, and the fake website I was redirected to. Would an email from the original brand also be helpful? My worry is that the seller will try to claim their fake authentication methods will be enough to "prove" the products I received aren't counterfeit.
Also, not all of the products I ordered were from this brand so I can't authenticate them but given that my experience shows this website sells counterfeit products, can I request a full refund?
