Fake Body Kouros. Seller refuses to take it back. What can I do?

You could say to him that if he doesnt issue you with a refund that you are going to have trading standards investigate that his store is selling counterfeit goods.

Im not sure what your equivalant of trading standards is in usa, but its worth a try.

Hec yeah! You may have to report him to the Better Business Bureau.

Have to tried searching forum for any reformulation given its an old scent?

Did you pay cash or use a card? If you used a card call your credit card company and explain the situation. Me, I'm the drama king when it comes to merchants, I'm so relentless they have no choice but to refund me.
I would call the credit card company while I am there and let them know it is a fake product and you are trying to get the charge reversed. Also, ask the credit card company if they would like to speak with the merchant. If they both refuse to speak then put your credit card company on notice that you are disputing the charge and you are leaving the merchandise on the counter as you speak. Be persistent don't be shy about it. I'm soft spoken and laid back, but as soon as you mess with my money, the New York Italian comes out and leaves them wide eyed. Especially the middle easterners, they want no part of me.
Damn I'm pumped up now! Hell I'm going out to kick somebody's ass tonight. I'm going to spray on some Acier Aluminum and roll! That my friend is an awesome under appreciated fragrance.

Good Luck,

Let me know what happens.

It's probably real and probably smells fine.

Did you pay with a credit card? I guess not or we wouldn't be having this conversation. You could try to be persistent and maybe complain to mall management and see if they are willing to help you. I guess there's a lesson here somewhere.

^What does race have to do with anything? Your bottle is authentic. It's very unlikely that someone would fake Body Kouros since It's not a big seller, and can be had for around $30.

With some recent reformulations what you described seems like it may become the norm and is not the sign of a fake, unfortunately. Try the new 1-12 with no moss of any kind listed on the box and see what you think, for example.

A few points:

1. None of us has any way of knowing if your suspicion that you received a fake is correct.

2. It is not impossible, but is extremely unlikely that a Body Kouros would be faked.

3. Going by your nose because you think it just smells different from other batches is notoriously unreliable. Years ago, I was sure a bottle of Perry Ellis I bought was faked because of its smell, and shelved it. A year ago (after I learned how to spot fakes and learned about production codes), I pulled it out and realized it was authentic.

4. It's much more likely that your bottle may have been stored improperly for an extended period if it smells off, but really, that's not a given, either.

5. It's bad business to refuse your return, but as far as your remedies, they are limited. Since you paid cash, you can't complain to the credit card company. You can complain to the BBB, but that only works if the vendor is a member. Further, the most the BBB can do is try to mediate between the two of you.

6. If I was unhappy with the smell of a fragrance because I thought it had been stored improperly, I'd probably complain, but I'd realize my remedies are nil and wouldn't push it. Fakes? If I was SURE I received a fake, I'd go to the BBB or even my local district attorney -- there are often criminal statutes that are involved with counterfeit goods -- but only if I was POSITIVE I bought a fake.

7. Bigsly's point is spot on -- I loved 1-12, but the current non-oakmoss version smells very different. If I didn't know better and I bought it, I might think it was a fake.

You have two options: You can either get over it and cut your losses or you can walk into the store with the bottle and smash it on the floor and walk out. I would go with option 1. Seriously though its probably not fake. Do you have a picture of the bottle?

I would stand outside the kiosk with a big sign that reads "FAKES" and try to start a boycott. Refund granted.

If not a refund then the very least ask for some good homemade biryani.

I don't know what being "Middle Eastern" has to do with anything.

Who would fake this stuff? Theres no point.

Put your big boy pants on, and suck it up. Final sale means final sale. This is not Neiman Marcus.

My first laugh of the day!

Go there with some friends and ask if he would kindly take the bottle back. Don't leave until he does.