You usually prove this by showing that the AI-edited photos created a false impression about the item you bought, not by trying to prove “AI” in the abstract. The strongest claim is usually “item not as described” or “listing images were misleading,” backed by the listing text, the photos, and clear proof of the difference.
Start by saving the listing exactly as it appeared when you ordered. Keep:
- Screenshots of the product page, including all photos, the title, description, size or colour claims, and any “for illustration only” or similar disclaimer
- The order confirmation and order number
- Messages with the seller about the item
Do this before the listing changes. A common trap is relying on the live page later, because the seller or marketplace may edit or remove the images after a complaint starts.
Next, show the mismatch in a way the marketplace can review quickly. The best evidence is side-by-side proof:
- A photo of the item you received
- The matching listing image or claim that looks misleading
- A short note saying exactly what is different, such as colour, shape, finish, accessories, size, texture, or branding
Focus on material differences. If the AI-enhanced photo made the product look larger, higher quality, more detailed, or included parts that were not actually supplied, say that plainly. If the difference is only lighting, background, or a polished style, the case is weaker unless the image also changed the product itself.
If the listing is still online, save the exact image and the surrounding text now. If the seller used a disclaimer such as “image for reference only,” that wording matters, so capture it too. If you can find the same image elsewhere with a reverse image search, that can help show the picture was not a real product photo, but it is optional and should not replace the main comparison with the item you actually received.
Then contact the seller or marketplace using the complaint type closest to “item not as described.” Even if there is no AI-specific category, describe the problem as a misleading product image and explain the concrete mismatch. Include:
- Order number
- The exact listing image or phrase you are challenging
- The exact difference you found
- Photos and screenshots
Ask them to review the item against the listing, not just against the product title. That matters because the photos may have created the buying decision even if the written description was vague.
If the marketplace refuses the claim, the next step depends on your payment method and the rules of the platform and country. If your card or payment provider allows a dispute, send the same evidence package and the seller’s reply. If the marketplace has its own appeal process, use it before or alongside any payment dispute, but keep the dates and case number from each route separate.
The one fact that changes the next step most is whether the item you received is materially different from what the photos showed. If it is, build your complaint around that difference; if it only looks more polished in the ad, you will need stronger proof that the image crossed the line from editing into misrepresentation.
Practical tip: make one folder with the original listing screenshots, the delivery date, and three comparison photos, because a short, organised evidence pack is easier for a marketplace to review than a long chat thread.
