Authenticate4U.com experiences?

[expatwife]

Has anyone heard anything from them in the past 24 hours?

 

[ladycotton]

I have a couple of comments.

Although Lesley is the owner and admin of the site, one of the things I love about A4U is that they use brand specialists for authentications, experts who are skilled in whatever particular brand is being evaluated. As a client, I know I'm more apt to get an accurate authentication since my item is being evaluated by an expert.

That said and as indicated by your post, Lesley responded (both automated and personally) to your request but after that, her hands are tied since she's awaiting an evaluation by someone else. And depending on the authenticator and how busy that person is with her/his own life/job/responsibilities, etc, it might not result in an immediate authentication response.

But again, that's what I (personally) love about this service. Lesley doesn't claim to be expert in every item and in every brand and defers to those who are. So accuracy is more likely but she's also at the mercy of those others if they aren't as fast as clients would like.

As for your needing a refund should the item turn out to be fake, in most cases, you probably don't need to worry. You don't state where you purchased or how you paid but if you used Paypal, you have up to 180 days to file a claim.

I understand that you aren't wanting to wait 6 months for your money but the point is that you have plenty of time do file.

Thank you very much for you comment I didn't mind waiting but I think it would be nice to know the exact time I had to since I didn't want to bother her with my follow up email.

Anyway, I got the Evaluation letter back from Lesley a couple of hours ago. It's only Day 4 I'm really impressed with the service and will surely recommend it to anyone.

The bag, on the other hand, turns out to be fake but I got the money back right away. The seller was very responsible and polite Although she claimed that she bought it from the outlet in Germany and that is no way the bag will look the same as those in the shop but it doesn't mean that the bag is fake.. I'm wondering if there's a case like this? I felt bad for returning the bag when she insisted that the bag is authentic as I'm no expert in outlet's stuff. Someone please explain it to me.

 

[ladycotton]

Has anyone heard anything from them in the past 24 hours?

I got an email from Lesley 4 hours ago

 

[expatwife]

I got an email from Lesley 4 hours ago

Thanks!

 

[lmt51]

Thank you very much for you comment I didn't mind waiting but I think it would be nice to know the exact time I had to since I didn't want to bother her with my follow up email.

Anyway, I got the Evaluation letter back from Lesley a couple of hours ago. It's only Day 4 I'm really impressed with the service and will surely recommend it to anyone.

The bag, on the other hand, turns out to be fake but I got the money back right away. The seller was very responsible and polite Although she claimed that she bought it from the outlet in Germany and that is no way the bag will look the same as those in the shop but it doesn't mean that the bag is fake.. I'm wondering if there's a case like this? I felt bad for returning the bag when she insisted that the bag is authentic as I'm no expert in outlet's stuff. Someone please explain it to me.

I've highlighted the comment seller made, if I may give my two cents, in term of authenticity, no matter where the bag bought, either Boutique, or any other retailer such as Neiman Marcus, the bag SHOULD & WOULD be the same.
Don't feel bad returning the bag that they have deemed fake, just because the seller is co operative, you're entitled to authentic bag and not a fake one.

 

[parisianescape]

I wrote her and sent pictures last night and got a reply this afternoon. Excellent service! I do know that she has had a lot of delays in the last, but I do think she honestly tries her best. Send her another email, and she should give you an estimate on the timescales.

 

[TKM69]

Nothing but positive things to repeat about A4U. They've answered all my emails really quickly and if you sign up to the Facebook page they always let you know about any communication problems or technical problems.

 

[EmileH]

I have had a miserable experience with autheticate4u. They were recommended to me by the authenticators on tpf. I paid and sent my photos. I heard nothing for a week and a half. I finally sent multiple emails and got a response from Lesley stating that they needed additional photos. I sent them as soon as I got home from work that day. She promised me an answer first thing the next morning. That day came and went without a response. This morning I finally posted on some of my usual threads that they were unprofessional and took forever. This seems to have gotten a response out of Lesley. Finally she authenticated my bag, apologized and refunded my money. Luckily for me the bag is ok. Two weeks is ridiculous. I have never complained about another merchant on this forum or elsewhere so I'm not a chronic complainer.

I had a great experience with bababebi. She send s a list of the photos she wants, responds promptly and professionally within 24-48 hours. No stress at all.

There seems to be a lot of protection of Lesley and her business going on here on tpf. Some of my comments were removed. For instance I normally post on the hermes and chanel forums so I posted on their vintage pages to warn people of the lousy service. My posts were removed because the bag I bought was LV. Since she authenticates these brands and I'm best known on those forums I thought my post was appropriate. She might be very nice but her business is a disaster. And the whole concept of authentication is based on trust. If they behave so unprofessionally how is one supposed to trust them?

You can defend all you want, and I'm sorry authenticate4u is disorganized and unprofessional. Lesley hires the authenticators and supervises them. If they are not reliable to respond within a reasonable time its her fault. If you offer a service and take people's money you should follow through. Regardless of your social situation or whatever else is going on in your life. Otherwise don't offer the service and waste people's time and money. I'll certainly never use them again. Not worth my aggravation.

Done ranting now.

 

[EmileH]

I have a couple of comments.

Although Lesley is the owner and admin of the site, one of the things I love about A4U is that they use brand specialists for authentications, experts who are skilled in whatever particular brand is being evaluated. As a client, I know I'm more apt to get an accurate authentication since my item is being evaluated by an expert.

That said and as indicated by your post, Lesley responded (both automated and personally) to your request but after that, her hands are tied since she's awaiting an evaluation by someone else. And depending on the authenticator and how busy that person is with her/his own life/job/responsibilities, etc, it might not result in an immediate authentication response.

But again, that's what I (personally) love about this service. Lesley doesn't claim to be expert in every item and in every brand and defers to those who are. So accuracy is more likely but she's also at the mercy of those others if they aren't as fast as clients would like.

As for your needing a refund should the item turn out to be fake, in most cases, you probably don't need to worry. You don't state where you purchased or how you paid but if you used Paypal, you have up to 180 days to file a claim.

I understand that you aren't wanting to wait 6 months for your money but the point is that you have plenty of time do file.

I respectfully disagree. Lesley advertises for business, takes the money and hires the authenticators. Lesley is responsible if they don't so their job in a timely manner.

This is my pet peeve- women who open businesses thinking they can make their own hours and make money on the side and then don't behave in a professional manner.

 

[BeenBurned]

I had a great experience with bababebi. She send s a list of the photos she wants, responds promptly and professionally within 24-48 hours. No stress at all.

I understand that you're unhappy with A4U and understand why.

The subject has been beaten to death so I'm not going to comment on Lesley, her business or her authenticators.

However your comparison to Bababebi isn't an apples-to-apples comparison. Understand that although you may see it this way, this isn't to be considered defending Lesley, her business, her internet problems or whatever, but rather, an explanation of why your comparison to Bababebi isn't a valid one.

Babebebi does Hermes only and does it all by herself. She knows what pictures, angles and details she needs to see for Hermes and can request them. She's the expert and knows whether images submitted as adequate for authentication.

OTOH, a business that has multiple authenticators and isn't a one-(wo)man-band cannot run as efficiently as one where there's just one expert on one brand. What applies for one brand doesn't work for another. And although someone is the head honcho, it doesn't make them expert in everything.

If you're going to make comparisons, make sure you're comparing apples to apples.

JMHO.

 

[EmileH]

I understand that you're unhappy with A4U and understand why.

The subject has been beaten to death so I'm not going to comment on Lesley, her business or her authenticators.

However your comparison to Bababebi isn't an apples-to-apples comparison. Understand that although you may see it this way, this isn't to be considered defending Lesley, her business, her internet problems or whatever, but rather, an explanation of why your comparison to Bababebi isn't a valid one.

Babebebi does Hermes only and does it all by herself. She knows what pictures, angles and details she needs to see for Hermes and can request them. She's the expert and knows whether images submitted as adequate for authentication.

OTOH, a business that has multiple authenticators and isn't a one-(wo)man-band cannot run as efficiently as one where there's just one expert on one brand. What applies for one brand doesn't work for another. And although someone is the head honcho, it doesn't make them expert in everything.

If you're going to make comparisons, make sure you're comparing apples to apples.

JMHO.

Clearly she could have her authenticators come up with a list of required photos for each bag type and email them out to customers when she gets a request for authentication. She could make it standard practice to let someone know that at least their photos were received. She also could supply estimated wait times so the person could go elsewhere if needed. This isn't rocket science.

 

[EmileH]

And at the very least when she makes a promise to get something done after a long wait she should do it.

 

[plastictresses]

Thank you very much for you comment I didn't mind waiting but I think it would be nice to know the exact time I had to since I didn't want to bother her with my follow up email.

Anyway, I got the Evaluation letter back from Lesley a couple of hours ago. It's only Day 4 I'm really impressed with the service and will surely recommend it to anyone.

The bag, on the other hand, turns out to be fake but I got the money back right away. The seller was very responsible and polite Although she claimed that she bought it from the outlet in Germany and that is no way the bag will look the same as those in the shop but it doesn't mean that the bag is fake.. I'm wondering if there's a case like this? I felt bad for returning the bag when she insisted that the bag is authentic as I'm no expert in outlet's stuff. Someone please explain it to me.

That's pretty quick! I'm still waiting for my reply on my Givenchy Nightingale.

I have sent in my request near end October. They were experiencing some server problems then.

After a few reminder emails, there's one recent reply on 13 Nov. Now it's Dec. I've waited nearly a month and still nothing 😩

Now it's near Chistmas, will there be further delays? Have anyone waited 2 months for an authentication reply?

Thanks in advance.

 

[EmileH]

That's pretty quick! I'm still waiting for my reply on my Givenchy Nightingale.



I have sent in my request near end October. They were experiencing some server problems then.



After a few reminder emails, there's one recent reply on 13 Nov. Now it's Dec. I've waited nearly a month and still nothing [emoji30]



Now it's near Chistmas, will there be further delays? Have anyone waited 2 months for an authentication reply?



Thanks in advance.

That's crazy to wait two months! Let her know you posted about it and complained on tpf. That's the only thing that gets a response from her. .

 

[jeins]

That's pretty quick! I'm still waiting for my reply on my Givenchy Nightingale.

I have sent in my request near end October. They were experiencing some server problems then.

After a few reminder emails, there's one recent reply on 13 Nov. Now it's Dec. I've waited nearly a month and still nothing 😩

Now it's near Chistmas, will there be further delays? Have anyone waited 2 months for an authentication reply?

Thanks in advance.

OMG. I think that's way too long. Why not try to send them another email or try to FB message them ? Best of luck to you.