This is what worries me, I pack things very carefully and in good sized boxes and I hate the thought of Ebay opening a box up, handling the bag, then re-packing it and shipping it. I am going to end my last listed handbag and just take a FP buy out for it or send it to AFF.
New eBay Fees on Luxury Bags
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This is what worries me, I pack things very carefully and in good sized boxes and I hate the thought of Ebay opening a box up, handling the bag, then re-packing it and shipping it. I am going to end my last listed handbag and just take a FP buy out for it or send it to AFF.
These two points stand out to me, having just concluded my first sale of a bag that has to go through this process. My buyer had no idea of this after-sale step, when I explained it wasn't going directly to her. A potential landmine of ill will ahead until eBay better communicates about what to expect, as buyer and as seller in the luxe categories.
Then, I'm worried about what their authentication squad really knows, as in the finer points. What about authentic bags that have ever so slight deviations, because some houses do tinker with details, not all of which are publicly known? I hate that now I have to trust them to get the auth right and to not ship off a messy package to my buyer.
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1000%. I am really loath to let anyone but me and my buyer touch a bag. And remember that Hermès itself once deemed a real bag fake at spa....imagine what Entrupy could do.
I almost wish someone would test them with a set of superfakes, but then they'd be supporting the fakers by buying them.
A recent post by ebay in the community forum and good questions follow.
Two important points:
The 16 eligible brands in the program are Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Hermes, Saint Laurent, Celine, Dior, Prada, Fendi, Goyard, Burberry, Chloe, Valentino, Givenchy, Balenciaga and Bottega Veneta.
Sellers cannot opt out if they want to send the Handbag directly to the buyer, and there is no opt out for the program.
Two important points:
The 16 eligible brands in the program are Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Hermes, Saint Laurent, Celine, Dior, Prada, Fendi, Goyard, Burberry, Chloe, Valentino, Givenchy, Balenciaga and Bottega Veneta.
Sellers cannot opt out if they want to send the Handbag directly to the buyer, and there is no opt out for the program.
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and FAQs from https://pages.ebay.com/authenticity-guarantee-handbags/
What is Authenticity Guarantee?
eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee is a service designed to help buyers shop with confidence. Authenticators physically inspect all eligible items before shipping to the buyer.
How does Authenticity Guarantee work?
It’s easy! Browse and shop eBay’s listings with the “Authenticity Guarantee” badge. When an eligible item is purchased, the seller ships the item to the authentication facility. There, the item goes through a meticulous inspection process. Once verified, the item is safely shipped to the buyer via three-day shipping with a signature required!
Will I be charged a fee for Authenticity Guarantee?
No. Through the Authenticity Guarantee service, eBay covers the cost of authentication and secure shipping from the authentication facility to the buyer.
What items are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee?
Authenticity Guarantee is available for select brands, in new or preowned condition, listed under the bags & handbags category, and sold for USD $500 or more. Auction items are also included in the service if the item sold is one of the eligible brands and sells above $500. You can identify eligible listings by looking for the blue Authenticity Guarantee checkmark in the search results or the top right of the item’s page.
The eligible brands for Authenticity Guarantee are Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Hermes, Saint Laurent, Celine, Dior, Prada, Fendi, Goyard, Burberry, Chloe, Valentino, Givenchy, Balenciaga, and Bottega Veneta.
Only items purchased on eBay.com for U.S. purchasers are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee. Items that are listed on eBay.com but located outside the U.S. for delivery to a buyer located within the U.S. may be available for Authenticity Guarantee soon - check back for updates! However, items that ship to a buyer address outside the U.S. are not eligible for the service at this time. Unincorporated territories (incl. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and armed forces postal locations are not currently covered.
What happens at the authenticator?
After the authentication facility receives the handbag, the authenticator first confirms the item and collateral materials are consistent with the listing title, description, and images. Then they will perform a multi-point authentication inspection. Finally, the handbag will receive a unique Authenticity Guarantee card and a security tag.
Is there an authentication card?
Yes, all items verified as authentic come with a card with details about the item, such as brand and model.
How does my Authentication Guarantee card with NFC capabilities work?
Hold your Authenticity Guarantee card at the top of your NFC-enabled device until you receive a prompt. If the card does not automatically scan, download the Decode app and try again. Once the card scans, tap to view detailed information about your handbag. Enjoy!
Who is providing the authentication services?
eBay’s team of professionally trained authenticators vet and verify each bag, utilizing detailed, physical inspection and advanced technical equipment in a state-of-the-art facility.
How long will the authentication process take? How long until I get my item?
After a buyer purchases an eligible item, the seller is required to send the item to the authentication facility, where they inspect the item within two business days of receipt. Once the inspection is complete, the item will be sent to the buyer within a three-day, secure delivery, including signature confirmation.
How can I track the progress of my purchase?
Tracking information is available on the Purchase History page, where you’ll be able to track the shipment of your order and see exactly where it is in the authentication process. As part of the Authenticity Guarantee service, you will also receive an order update email once your item goes through inspection.
Is signature confirmation required upon delivery?
Yes.
Will I receive the original packaging with my purchase?
If the seller has included original packaging as described in the listing, all components will be sent to the buyer.
What if the item does not pass inspection?
If the authenticator cannot verify the item’s authenticity or the item’s condition is not consistent with its listing, we will send it back to the seller. The buyer will then be issued a full refund to their original payment method.
Why can’t I message the seller after I purchase my handbag?
Messaging capability is turned off at the point of purchase to protect the integrity of the process. At this time, your handbag will route to the authentication facility, and all tracking information and notifications are available on the eBay platform.
What should I do if I want to change or cancel my order?
You can request to cancel your order through the Purchase History page within an hour of purchase if the seller has not yet shipped the item. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate address changes at this time. Please double-check to make sure you’ve entered the correct address. Learn more about canceling your order here.
Where is my item shipping to, and why is it not my address?
Your handbag will first ship to the authentication facility. Once verified, the authenticator will send your handbag to the address entered at checkout.
How can I track the progress of my purchase?
Tracking information is available on the Purchase History page, where you’ll be able to track the shipment of your order and see exactly where it is in the authentication process.
Can I return items purchased with Authenticity Guarantee?
Buyers can return an item if the seller accepts returns, as stated in the listing, and the return takes place within the seller’s return window. If the seller does not accept returns or the buyer submits the return outside the return window, this will be considered a final sale and cannot be returned.
What is Final Sale?
For handbags that are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee, an item is Final Sale when both of the following criteria are met:
Transactions that meet these criteria are exempt from Significantly Not as Described (SNAD) claims under eBay’s Money Back Guarantee policy.
Does the eBay Money Back Guarantee protect authenticated items?
For authenticated items, eBay Money Back Guarantee only covers items returned within the seller’s return window and items that satisfy the eMBG eligibility requirements and are not received, or that arrive damaged.
How does the return process work?
If the seller offers returns for the item you purchased, you will first send the returned item to the authentication facility. Within two business days of receiving the item, the authenticator will inspect that the item returned matches the item sent to you by verifying the authenticity and condition. Also, the handbag must have the untampered security tag attached to be eligible for a return. Once verified, the authenticator will ship the item to the seller, and a refund will be processed. The seller or buyer (as defined by the listing) is responsible for shipping costs to the authenticator, and eBay covers the shipping cost to the seller.
Why was the item sent back to me by the authenticator after I opened a return?
If the authenticator determines the returned item is not the same item, is not in the same condition, or the security tag has been tampered with or removed, the item will be sent back to the buyer and the return denied.
What is Authenticity Guarantee?
eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee is a service designed to help buyers shop with confidence. Authenticators physically inspect all eligible items before shipping to the buyer.
How does Authenticity Guarantee work?
It’s easy! Browse and shop eBay’s listings with the “Authenticity Guarantee” badge. When an eligible item is purchased, the seller ships the item to the authentication facility. There, the item goes through a meticulous inspection process. Once verified, the item is safely shipped to the buyer via three-day shipping with a signature required!
Will I be charged a fee for Authenticity Guarantee?
No. Through the Authenticity Guarantee service, eBay covers the cost of authentication and secure shipping from the authentication facility to the buyer.
What items are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee?
Authenticity Guarantee is available for select brands, in new or preowned condition, listed under the bags & handbags category, and sold for USD $500 or more. Auction items are also included in the service if the item sold is one of the eligible brands and sells above $500. You can identify eligible listings by looking for the blue Authenticity Guarantee checkmark in the search results or the top right of the item’s page.
The eligible brands for Authenticity Guarantee are Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Hermes, Saint Laurent, Celine, Dior, Prada, Fendi, Goyard, Burberry, Chloe, Valentino, Givenchy, Balenciaga, and Bottega Veneta.
Only items purchased on eBay.com for U.S. purchasers are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee. Items that are listed on eBay.com but located outside the U.S. for delivery to a buyer located within the U.S. may be available for Authenticity Guarantee soon - check back for updates! However, items that ship to a buyer address outside the U.S. are not eligible for the service at this time. Unincorporated territories (incl. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) and armed forces postal locations are not currently covered.
What happens at the authenticator?
After the authentication facility receives the handbag, the authenticator first confirms the item and collateral materials are consistent with the listing title, description, and images. Then they will perform a multi-point authentication inspection. Finally, the handbag will receive a unique Authenticity Guarantee card and a security tag.
Is there an authentication card?
Yes, all items verified as authentic come with a card with details about the item, such as brand and model.
How does my Authentication Guarantee card with NFC capabilities work?
Hold your Authenticity Guarantee card at the top of your NFC-enabled device until you receive a prompt. If the card does not automatically scan, download the Decode app and try again. Once the card scans, tap to view detailed information about your handbag. Enjoy!
Who is providing the authentication services?
eBay’s team of professionally trained authenticators vet and verify each bag, utilizing detailed, physical inspection and advanced technical equipment in a state-of-the-art facility.
How long will the authentication process take? How long until I get my item?
After a buyer purchases an eligible item, the seller is required to send the item to the authentication facility, where they inspect the item within two business days of receipt. Once the inspection is complete, the item will be sent to the buyer within a three-day, secure delivery, including signature confirmation.
How can I track the progress of my purchase?
Tracking information is available on the Purchase History page, where you’ll be able to track the shipment of your order and see exactly where it is in the authentication process. As part of the Authenticity Guarantee service, you will also receive an order update email once your item goes through inspection.
Is signature confirmation required upon delivery?
Yes.
Will I receive the original packaging with my purchase?
If the seller has included original packaging as described in the listing, all components will be sent to the buyer.
What if the item does not pass inspection?
If the authenticator cannot verify the item’s authenticity or the item’s condition is not consistent with its listing, we will send it back to the seller. The buyer will then be issued a full refund to their original payment method.
Why can’t I message the seller after I purchase my handbag?
Messaging capability is turned off at the point of purchase to protect the integrity of the process. At this time, your handbag will route to the authentication facility, and all tracking information and notifications are available on the eBay platform.
What should I do if I want to change or cancel my order?
You can request to cancel your order through the Purchase History page within an hour of purchase if the seller has not yet shipped the item. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate address changes at this time. Please double-check to make sure you’ve entered the correct address. Learn more about canceling your order here.
Where is my item shipping to, and why is it not my address?
Your handbag will first ship to the authentication facility. Once verified, the authenticator will send your handbag to the address entered at checkout.
How can I track the progress of my purchase?
Tracking information is available on the Purchase History page, where you’ll be able to track the shipment of your order and see exactly where it is in the authentication process.
Can I return items purchased with Authenticity Guarantee?
Buyers can return an item if the seller accepts returns, as stated in the listing, and the return takes place within the seller’s return window. If the seller does not accept returns or the buyer submits the return outside the return window, this will be considered a final sale and cannot be returned.
What is Final Sale?
For handbags that are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee, an item is Final Sale when both of the following criteria are met:
- Item condition is “New with tags” or “New without tags.”
- The seller’s return policy for the item is “No returns,” or the item’s return window has closed.
Transactions that meet these criteria are exempt from Significantly Not as Described (SNAD) claims under eBay’s Money Back Guarantee policy.
Does the eBay Money Back Guarantee protect authenticated items?
For authenticated items, eBay Money Back Guarantee only covers items returned within the seller’s return window and items that satisfy the eMBG eligibility requirements and are not received, or that arrive damaged.
How does the return process work?
If the seller offers returns for the item you purchased, you will first send the returned item to the authentication facility. Within two business days of receiving the item, the authenticator will inspect that the item returned matches the item sent to you by verifying the authenticity and condition. Also, the handbag must have the untampered security tag attached to be eligible for a return. Once verified, the authenticator will ship the item to the seller, and a refund will be processed. The seller or buyer (as defined by the listing) is responsible for shipping costs to the authenticator, and eBay covers the shipping cost to the seller.
Why was the item sent back to me by the authenticator after I opened a return?
If the authenticator determines the returned item is not the same item, is not in the same condition, or the security tag has been tampered with or removed, the item will be sent back to the buyer and the return denied.
Excellent idea to post all this information. Thank you!
Oh? How and where did they get this training? We all know there's no school, program, or certification for authenticating luxury bags, just experience--and that's fine when we have a way to see what they've done, as in public footprint and track record. But not with eBay; no transparency about the "talent" nor their qualifications.
I recently had my first and hopefully last such experience as a seller, and fortunately it went fine. The bag was off to the buyer the next day after receipt at eBay's service, and the packaging was good--my obliging buyer sent photos because I wanted to know how it was for her. I intend to never again sell a luxury bag this way, though, because the lack of control is just beyond my comfort level.
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I do not sell anything on eBay, but I purchase occasionally. Sometimes I like to browse through this forum because there are interesting stories and this thread caught my eye because I just made a purchase that should fall under this program. I wonder if there are exceptions to this program, because the item I purchased was listed in the handbags classification, was an auction, significantly above the price threshold, one of the brands listed and both buyer and seller are in the USA. I just got the shipping notification and the tracking shows that it is going to my address not to Ebay for authentication.
That seems odd... Maybe yours somehow fell through the cracks? For whatever reason, congratulations!
Wild. The shipping info I got as seller had the buyer's name, but c/o the auth service shipping address. Please do keep us posted on its journey.
Thank you!That seems odd... Maybe yours somehow fell through the cracks? For whatever reason, congratulations!
I would have thought that it was going to the service first, but the seller sent me a photo of the label and it is clearly my name and address. Unless the seller was somehow able to get my info from PayPal and did not print a label from ebay. I do not know how selling works, so unclear what a seller is sent regarding shipping info once an item has been sold.
The answer is, if the bag qualifies for the new authentication guarantee, eBay sends a link to a shipping label. You don't have to use that label but you're supposed to still use that address, which is their auth service facility, if you're mailing independently.
Maybe the seller simply skipped abiding by the new rule and is in fact sending to you. If so, I wonder what kind of repercussions sellers would incur once eBay detects this.
