Upon further review flyknitJB, your Balenciaga Arena's Pavots are FAKE. However, they are extremely good fakes but I'll list the RED FLAGS prior to you purchasing the shoes.
1. The price should have been a CLEAR indicator the shoes were fake. As many of you know Arena High Tops retail for $545. I don't know of any high end retailer/distributor that sells them for $600 in the United States. However, them saying they were a Balenciaga vendor is a trick to make a person believe the shoe is authentic but again if you are reselling high end shoes especially on Instagram one would NEVER sell a shoe for so low not to mention FREE shipping in combined with Paypal fees? They would be losing money if that bought them for retail.
2. All Sizes? Maybe this should be number one. Granted it is possible has I know people who have crazy connects sometimes and the store will let you buy all the pairs as they don't care. However, the Pavot colorway is sold out EVERYWHERE not even the Balenciaga website has them so to think someone has every single size is more than suspicious, considering the restocks are done as that was in the beginning of the year. It's like people on Instagram saying I can get Doernbecher Jordan 4s for you in any size....
A shoe that came close to 2 years ago? FAKE, FAKE, FAKE. Balenciaga has moved on to the Rouge Red color so again them to have the Pavots in all sizes when no retailer nor the boutique has them is BS.
3. Lastly, they claim to be a BALENCIAGA vendor but they are SELLING SHOES ON INSTAGRAM?
It makes me angry that it's unfortunate that people like this try to prey on people that aren't in the know like that. SMH. You're a vendor with only one shoe? Where the hell is your other Balenciaga inventory? Let alone you're selling Givenchy tee's that retail anywhere from $600 to almost 1K for $275 talking about "Sale Price" So they are a Givenchy vendor too? -______-
NOW FOR THE NOT SO OBVIOUS...The overall shape of the shoe looks pretty good however after peeping the pictures on his Instagram here are how to spot a good fake like this.
1. Smell. As you immediately were aware the shoe just smelled funny for a shoe made in Italy? *Charles Ramsey Voice* DEAD GIVEAWAY. Balenciaga shoes smell like the finest of leathers, you know that brand new genuine leather wallet smell.
2. Like Spoonie had stated the BOX is a pretty good indication to tell if the shoe is fake. When stumbling across fake shoes in all instances the box will either be damaged, or have the "I'm surprised the shoes fit in there has the box is rather small.
3. In continuation with the box topic. Balenciaga has changed their box while still white and having the Balenciaga name on the top in black the Box cover sides are NOTICEABLY LONGER. While, you would only know that if it was a newer version it goes back to the if he was a vendor wouldn't he have the new box, but wait, Balenciaga isn't making the Pavot now. Then you ask yourself he just has all sizes of Pavots laying around? Nope, fake.
4. If you peep the front of the sole on his picture on IG you'll see it is slightly higher than normally not on Rick Ownens level, LOL but definitely noticeably if compared with a real pair as Arena high tops are no more than a centimeter off the ground from the tip of the sole.
I can't blame you for the not so obvious since man these are some REALLY GOOD FAKES and I have had over dozens of pairs. However, the Red Flags are what should have stopped you. As for Paypal like people are saying ALWAYS pay with credit card. Especially American Express, as they are really about that you are going to get away with are credit holders money. LOL If you paid via Debit Card or Paypal funds they still should be able to help however GIFT you're screwed. If I were you take it to a Balenciaga store have them declare it is indeed fake and put it in writing and fax it to Paypal's special department that handles fake claims and trust me you'll get your money back.
EXCUSE my college essay post but figured this would be helpful to all.