Dodgy Authentication process

[sarah-janwalli_0]

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!!!!

[domino-710]

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.

[twyngwyn]

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

[domino-710]

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

[sarah-janwalli_0]

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!!

[sarah-janwalli_0]

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!

[sarah-janwalli_0]

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.

[twyngwyn]

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

[sarah-janwalli_0]

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.

[gutterpunkz05]

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.

[sarah-janwalli_0]

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!