topic Re: Dodgy Authentication process in Ask a member

Dodgy Authentication process

sarah-janwalli_0 — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 03:49:47 GMT

Hi all,

I purchased an LV bag in Nov last year for $850. It went through the authentication process and eBay confirmed it was authentic. The bag arrived with all authentication tags attached. I put it away and haven’t used it. Just sold the same bag and eBay have now failed the authentication process!! Can’t believe it!!! I want my original $850 back if it’s a fake - how do I do that??
any help would be really appreciated! I’m very, very stressed!!!!

Re: Dodgy Authentication process

twyngwyn — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 05:42:49 GMT

go to HELP at top of page, and conduct a 'live chat'.....have all info at hand

Re: Dodgy Authentication process

domino-710 — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 06:29:57 GMT

Your listing stated it all.

Authenticated - still with those tags attached. ??

This will be an interesting one.

Re: Dodgy Authentication process

domino-710 — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 06:30:28 GMT

Nup - not with tags attached.

There is no photo of the tags attached - simply one taken on the carpet.

That tag could be from anything.

Yes - this will be an interesting one.

Re: Dodgy Authentication process

*sons_n_daughters* — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 11:51:17 GMT

Why did you remove the tags if you were just going to resell? It's wrecked everything. Those detached tags mean nothing.

I'm also curious, do you have 2 of these bags, given you sold 2 of them a day apart?

Re: Dodgy Authentication process

davewil1964 — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 12:44:38 GMT

Curiouser and curiouser...

Re: Dodgy Authentication process

papermoon.lady — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 17:51:58 GMT

I noticed the same yesterday. Same photo too. I thought maybe the first buyer had not paid or had changed her mind and asked to cancel (being an auction, while the second listing was BIN)?

Re: Dodgy Authentication process

twyngwyn — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 03:57:18 GMT

When you bought it, were the tags actually attached....or just included?

Re: Dodgy Authentication process

domino-710 — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 04:38:04 GMT

It would not matter whether attached or included.

Unless the tag has written information of that item - it could be from anything.

Shoes get an attached tag - seems handbags only get a paper tag.

The paper tags should have information inside as to the particulat item - JMO

Re: Dodgy Authentication process

sarah-janwalli_0 — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 05:04:30 GMT

Okay, so after raising this with eBay ( that they authenticated this very same bag in November!!) the authentication team have now come back and said that the bag IS authentic but the reason they failed it was because the description didn’t match the condition of the bag???? They sent me a couple of photos of a slight crease in the strap and some very slight scuffing on one of the seams. They also said there was “minor debris” inside the bag, whatever that means!! Again, this bag hasn’t been used since they last saw it and none of these supposed “defects” were noted in the original listing when I purchased it. So because of that they refunded the customer and returned the bag. So I’ve lost a $600 sale based off a couple of photos! It’s a USED bag and despite that it’s in near perfect condition. Makes no sense at all. Thanks eBay !

Re: Dodgy Authentication process

domino-710 — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 05:18:00 GMT

I've just read this and I am at a total loss.

Here's how it works as a seller:

Let's say you have a designer handbag that you want to sell. The first step is to check if your item is eligible to be sold on eBay Authenticate by entering the brand, item type, and condition. If your item is eligible, you can then send it into eBay for authentication using a prepaid shipping label. From there, independent experts authenticate, price, and list your items for sale on eBay Authenticate. When your item is purchased, you get paid and eBay handles shipping the item to the buyer.

It's worth noting that eBay takes a 20% transaction fee when authenticated items are sold. Although that's quite a bit more than eBay's standard 10% transaction fee, it's worth it. You will find that the verified authenticity almost always makes it easier to sell your item, rather than listing it yourself — or using another avenue of sale. Buyers want to shop with confidence, and this is an easy way for them to do it.

Re: Dodgy Authentication process

twyngwyn — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 05:38:03 GMT

so, the buyer hasn't even seen the bag?

Re: Dodgy Authentication process

domino-710 — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 05:39:41 GMT

But seems the bag has to be returned to the seller. ??

Re: Dodgy Authentication process

sarah-janwalli_0 — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 07:26:42 GMT

No, the buyer hasn’t seen the bag. This whole process is incredibly subjective. Obviously, the person who authenticated the bag in November had no issue with the condition of the bag and nor did I. In fact I was thrilled! It’s in excellent condition and is a beautiful bag. Then 6 months later someone else looks at it and based on THEIR opinion decides to fail the bag. So they have denied the buyer a beautiful bag at a fraction of the price of a new LV bag and me a $600 sale! Like I said, a very dodgy authentication process!!

Re: Dodgy Authentication process

sarah-janwalli_0 — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 07:32:58 GMT

Yep!!! They have now confirmed it’s authentic but due to these minor issues cancelled the sale. Personally, I think that they are now covering their tracks with this “condition not as described” nonsense. I’ve bought several designer bags off eBay and this one is by far in the best condition of all of them which the authenticir in November agreed with. I think once I told them that they had authenticated the same bag 6 months earlier and that they were now saying it was fake and I therefore wanted my $850 back they panicked!! It’s certainly not a fair or transparent process!

Re: Dodgy Authentication process

sarah-janwalli_0 — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 08:30:37 GMT

No I only have one of these bags. First buyer did not pay - 0 feedback and did not respond to any of my messages. That’s why I relisted it as BIN and it pretty much sold straight away.

Re: Dodgy Authentication process

twyngwyn — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 08:52:48 GMT

eBay Is Not Backing Its Own Authentications, Sellers Say (ecommercebytes.com)

Re: Dodgy Authentication process

sarah-janwalli_0 — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 09:05:16 GMT

Thank you very much for sharing this article 😊

It feels better knowing I’m not the only one whose been duped by these so called “independent authenticators”!

I’ve been selling & buying on ebay for years, both here in Australia and back in the UK and I’ve never really had any problems. This whole experience has been very disappointing and probably marks the end of my time using this platform.

Re: Dodgy Authentication process

gutterpunkz05 — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 11:00:28 GMT

Your original listing stated the item was in MINT condition, given the pictures in your latest listing, the changed description, and the opinion of the authenticator, the item is far from MINT condition.

It is my understanding of the authentication processes, is that it is also to verify the item meets its listing details, as well as being a genuine product.

Re: Dodgy Authentication process

sarah-janwalli_0 — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 11:23:45 GMT

The bag is a second hand bag. I’ve purchased three LV’s off eBay as well as other designer bags and none where anywhere near the condition of this bag. And I posted 21 photos of this bag that clearly showed what wear there is. These bags sell for $1000+ on eBay so to get a bag of this condition for $600 was a very good buy.
And the bigger issue is that when I bought this bag, the authenticators didn’t have any issues with the wear that they’ve picked up this time. I paid $850 for this bag - why didn’t they refund my money if they think there are issues with its condition. There doesn’t appear to be any consistency amongst the authenticators - it’s the luck of the draw as to whether it will pass or fail the authentication process.

I’m pretty much done with using eBay, particularly after this debacle. As the article that was shared earlier states, there don’t seem to be any real protections in place for the seller. Definitely a good thing if you’re a buyer but not a fair system if you are a genuine seller!