tPF authenticator discussion
- Thread starter missbanff
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We do not require active listings in CL - and we do authenticate shoes in the members' possession.
My personal belief is even if the member intends to sell in the future (not revealed as for sale) they are making an effort to not put a fake into the marketplace, which is good for everyone. So I don't mind at all.
I authenticate when I can, which means sometimes I will not be able to for a couple of days. Sometimes things back up. We have several authenticators in there. Each is more or less active as they have the time to field the work.
Anyone who is unable to wait should use another service, and I say that with no animosity.
Quick question, do other designer AT threads authenticate from facebook, Instagram, etc...? I thought the ATLV authenticators didn't so when I respond to these posts, I want to make sure I'm giving correct info. Thx!
In AT Coach and Dooney, the authenticators will authenticate from other sites as long as they/we aren't sensing self promotion.
Often too, sellers will be accused of selling a fake and frequently, the buyer isn't a member here or is reluctant or unwilling to join. So in such cases, we'll also help a seller to reassure her buyer (or let the seller know if she sold a fake) of the provenance of the item.
With that, we recommend that the seller forward a link to the authentication to her buyer.
To me, this is in the spirit of tPF. Members usually mod or authenticate because the joy helping people. I know that's why I do it. I spend more time than I can honestly afford here because I am passionate about the community and get joy from knowing I've helped someone who needed it.
So you guys will authenticate for a seller after the sale is over? That is something I hadn't heard of before.
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I also do what I do because it feels good to help.
As for authenticating after the sale, yes, we do that. Generally it's something that comes up because a buyer has questioned authenticity, either by contacting the seller, opening a dispute or leaving negative feedback stating such.
But it's the choice we each made as individuals and as it turns out, all the Coach authenticators feel the same.
Personally I like this approach, too - because someone new to luxury bags a) may not initially realize that they might have just bid on a fake, and b) might not have ever heard of tPF before the panic sets in and they start googling. They land here all freaked out and they don't know what to do. It's not like they knew of some authenticator's rule of "no ended sales" and were intentionally disregarding it. These people are the most desperate for help, and as long as they're nice
and not pushy I don't see a problem with trying to offer some input for them. If someone finds tPF this way and they have a good experience then they're likely to stick around. And they typically are very appreciative when we can either ease their fears or worst case, help them figure out next steps if it turns out they got a dud.
I guess some authenticators feel differently and that's fine too!
Personally I like this approach, too - because someone new to luxury bags a) may not initially realize that they might have just bid on a fake, and b) might not have ever heard of tPF before the panic sets in and they start googling. They land here all freaked out and they don't know what to do. It's not like they knew of some authenticator's rule of "no ended sales" and were intentionally disregarding it. These people are the most desperate for help, and as long as they're nice
If someone finds tPF this way and they have a good experience then they're likely to stick around. And they typically are very appreciative when we can either ease their fears or worst case, help them figure out next steps if it turns out they got a dud.
I guess some authenticators feel differently and that's fine too!
Yes, yes, and yes!
Also, Coach and Dooney are easy to find thrifting (in the U.S.), so knowing we found an authentic treasure is awesome. And some buyers don't like pointing out their potential deals, so they occasionally ask after the fact in the Coach and and Dooney AT threads. Frankly, I don't understand why authenticators in other AT threads won't authenticate closed auctions or thrift finds if the petitioner is obviously not a professional reseller.
ETA: Perhaps the forum culture is different in the Coach and Dooney forums since they are smaller, and sincerity is more easily judged by the authenticators in their AT threads?
ETA: Perhaps the forum culture is different in the Coach and Dooney forums since they are smaller, and sincerity is more easily judged by the authenticators in their AT threads?
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I agree. I think sometimes the reason the threads exists get lost. . . to keep counterfeits out of the marketplace. While I understand why an individual won't do it, I cringe a little when people assume it's a hard fast rule. It's why we've asked repeatedly that members who offer their time to speak on their own behalf and not the community and say things like "I prefer. . . " in lieu of "we prefer . . ."
Glad to hear it!
Extra posts were removed as well, we need to try very hard not to engage. Just report and ignore 
Personally I like this approach, too - because someone new to luxury bags a) may not initially realize that they might have just bid on a fake, and b) might not have ever heard of tPF before the panic sets in and they start googling. They land here all freaked out and they don't know what to do. It's not like they knew of some authenticator's rule of "no ended sales" and were intentionally disregarding it. These people are the most desperate for help, and as long as they're nice
If someone finds tPF this way and they have a good experience then they're likely to stick around. And they typically are very appreciative when we can either ease their fears or worst case, help them figure out next steps if it turns out they got a dud.
I guess some authenticators feel differently and that's fine too!
Ah - BeenBurned, I just realized you were talking about authenticating for a SELLER on a closed auction whereas I responded about doing so for a BUYER - not that it matters to the thread, and I feel the same way about that side too! Just wanted to acknowledge.
In this case, I was referring to authenticating for sellers. But I'll do it for either as long as it's polite, non-entitled and if I believe the request to be "legit" and not covert self-promotion.
I should explain. As was said before, my point (and the point of this entire forum) is to protect and help both buyers and sellers make sure that purchases and sales are authentic. I have no problem with a seller doing her due diligence and verifying that an item is authentic before listing. (In the case of sellers, I'm referring to a seller who requests an occasional thumbs up/thumbs down. I wouldn't expect to do it for a seller who wants to authenticate 100 items.)
But that's me. Others might feel differently and that's certainly their right.
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