Global network of authentication service?

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LondonSoho7

LondonSoho7

O.G.
Jul 15, 2008
379
5
#1
I am furious at people who pass of fake bags as authentic and people feeling so let down when what they bought was not what was advertised.

Is there out there a service that one can subscribe to that will go round and inspect the bag or a bag agent that you can employ who - for a reasonable fee, can authenticate the bag before paying?

I mean if you buy a car or a house, you'd spend money getting it surveyed right? So why would you buy a $10,000 birkin on "trust"? Or pay huge premium from "recognised" re-sellers?
 
#3
_bella_ said:
There is My Poupette.

http://www.mypoupette.com/
Click to expand...

ahermmm $75 for a Hermes PHOTO authentication is not what I call reasonable. There is no guarentee that the photo they authenticate is the bag you receive.

I am thinking of a service where the agent would visit the seller personally on the buyer's behalf, authenticate the bag and buy it on behalf of the buyer. And charge $50 to $100 for the service. There are many good enthusiast here on this forum... come on.. turn your knowledge into cash!
 
#4
$50 to $100?? Sorry to rain on your parade but it would have to be at least $300 for the authenticator to make money at doing it as it's time, travel expenses etc. Plus I know I wouldn't want to go turning up at some strangers house.....or have a stranger turning up at mine!!

This also doesn't stop a bait and switch scenario as we currently see happening on ebay. The authenticator could be shown a real bag and the seller would send a fake, who is liable then?
 
#5
I think charging and making money with $50 to $100 on site verification is unrealistic and not profitable. Who is going to pay the travel expenses? How far are the authenticators going to travel. You suggested a network, but that will take years of establishing a reputation and during that period the authenticator/s will have to travel far and wide to provide their services. Services that $50 to $100 simply will not support.


For the service you're suggesting, I'd expect to pay a high premium price as a buyer, and there are already established reliable sellers offering bags a high premiums, so what will set your service apart from theirs?
 
#6
[Did I just touch the raw nerve of established resellers here? My apologies, that was not intended.]

Ok, $200 then plus expenses.

Of course it would take time to establish. Mypoupette didn't happen over night, and there is nothing like this in London/Europe. Also, I am NOT suggesting a new business here, just observed a gap in the market.

Look, you people log on and authenticate bags for free, that is great... but what if a buyer wants you to go that step further. Is it so hard to spend an hour or two and earn 200 bucks in the process?

One idea is to have a website where all authenticators would register (bit like realtor), each with own profile and details, just like a realtor. And the buyer would contact the specific authenticator in the region. Charge what ever you like... Of course the site won't just recruit anybody.

Perhaps in the US where things are spread out, its difficult with all that travelling... price of gas and all that, but in London and New York, its a tube/train ride away in most cases.


There is already a network here, isn't there? I am a new member, so don't ask me, but some of you have been communicating for years - get together and do something. Think of it as a way to finance that 35cm Black Matt Crock Birkin, at about $200 a survey, do a hundred visit - that 20,000 hard cash, and 200 happy buyers and sellers.

All I am doing is to suggest a model that would work... Some of you will have doubts, do't worry, this line of business is not for you... but I am sure, others reading this will think... "heck, I can do that... " well for those that think that way, then DO SOMETHING.

At the end of the day you guys are the expert in the product. Trust me, anyone brave enough to set this up, will find this VERY rewarding. Anyone who have lost money buying from scammers will welcome this initiative and honest sellers who wants to get rid of unwanted birkins (if there is ever such a thing) will thank you too.
 
#7
LondonSoho7 said:
Ok, $200 then plus expenses.
Click to expand...

A reliable authenticator needs to have sufficient experience in handling Hermes goods, either through selling or owning. I daresay not many non-owners would visit Hermes boutiques regularly just so that the SAs would take out various bags and let them be scrutinized, at least enough to be reliable authenticators. And also bear in mind, there are many boutiques where Birkins and Kellys are rarities.

I may be going out on a limb here, but aside from resellers or former Hermes employees, those who own enough Hermes to be trustworthy enough as authenticators are likely to make (or have SO's who make) more per hour than what you are suggesting. Not quite worth their time and effort, kwim?
 
#8
This thread reminded me of the one you posted recently...
With all due respect, I think the members here are pretty happy with the many volunteers that freely authenticate for each other and those who request by submitting photos. I don't think anybody is interested in making a buck here. It's about goodwill and helping each other out.


LondonSoho7
Member

Joined: Jul 2008
Location: London
Posts: 60


I am sure this has been thought of before, but I googled and found nothing.

As a consultant in an investment bank, I see a real gap in the market for a proper designer bag exchange - one that involves a strict validation process for authenticity, and one that only charges a nominal handling fee to cover cost (like 5% capped at £100 per bag) and 5% going to charity.

For this to work, I would require the assistance of "bag-experts" and strict "know-your-customer" code of practice to really know who is selling the bag - we don't want fakes / replica dealers. We also need to have a good "bag grading" process and fair pricing policy. Each bag that comes through the exchange will be catalogued and a record maintained of the buyer and the seller.

The objective is to create a market where the buyer can feel secure in the product they are buying and a seller able to contribute something to charity and get rid of a bag they no longer want at a fair price.

Could I poll your view please? Do I have volunteers?



LondonSoho7 said:
I am furious at people who pass of fake bags as authentic and people feeling so let down when what they bought was not what was advertised.

Is there out there a service that one can subscribe to that will go round and inspect the bag or a bag agent that you can employ who - for a reasonable fee, can authenticate the bag before paying?

I mean if you buy a car or a house, you'd spend money getting it surveyed right? So why would you buy a $10,000 birkin on "trust"? Or pay huge premium from "recognised" re-sellers?
Click to expand...
 
#9
wow... so much hostility and negativity..... what ever happen to "goodwill and helping each other out. "

Well : when one day you come across a validating agency website or a charitable organisation that provides a market of used Hermes bags without the hefty commission, remember, you read it here first.
 
#12
When I buy from a recognized reseller I know they HAVE vetted the bag. No need to pay for an additional layer/cost to get that verification. Not all resellers charge huge premiums on all bags all the time. I have gotten several fabulous bags and more than fair prices - all absolutely authentic.
 
#13
LondonSoho7 said:
wow... so much hostility and negativity..... what ever happen to "goodwill and helping each other out. "

Well : when one day you come across a validating agency website or a charitable organisation that provides a market of used Hermes bags without the hefty commission, remember, you read it here first.
Click to expand...

Where do you see hostility and negativity?

I see "goodwill and helping each other out" in the fact that such lovely ladies here on tPF are willing to authenticate all these eBay bags for us...
 
#14
LondonSoho7 said:
wow... so much hostility and negativity..... what ever happen to "goodwill and helping each other out. "

Well : when one day you come across a validating agency website or a charitable organisation that provides a market of used Hermes bags without the hefty commission, remember, you read it here first.
Click to expand...

I'm neither an authenticator or a reseller, so I have no axe to grind here. I believe that what these people are saying is that while the intent of your idea is noble, your proposal is impractical and would not work for a variety of reasons.

Just because people do not agree with the idea you put forth does not mean that they are negative or hostile.
 
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