It should be called the "hysterical" section that thread was funny!
Seriously, though, a great idea and a good place to store reference threads. It was interesting to note how the "experts" here on Specktra quickly weeded out the truth from the fiction just through sheer knowledge of their beloved product! I'll never ever buy MAC from ebay simply because I don't know enough about MAC to detect fakes from real goods. I have purchased plenty of other stuff from ebay sellers, but only because I truly KNOW the product before I buy.
The most disconcerting portion of that thread was the story from someone [not the OP] who purchased what appeared to be a used but genuine item from a MAC store but I'm confident that is an anomaly. Sephora is another retailer who has very liberal return policies and I've never purchased anything from them that appeared to be used.