What is going on with Authentication?

[169nautorious]

Bought ring 6/5.  Paid over 2G's. Arrived at Authenticator 6/12,  It is now 6/21 and Friday,  Item is still stuck at authenticator.  No correspondence, no status, nada and no way to talk to anyone at Ebay.   Even  Chat doesn't help just send me the same tracking # which says at Authenticator. Very frustrated.  Going on VK and still no ring!!!  Out my substantial payment,  Don't know when this item will be sent.  Read that items can be stuck at authenticator for months. 

HELP!!!

[kathiec]

We've been seeing multiple posts from people reporting things delayed in the authentication process. And not all have been jewelry, so apparently all the authentication services are backlogged. There sadly is nothing you can do to speed up that process. Since the authenticators are third parties eBay's not going to know what's happening beyond what tracking tells them.

On the day after the last estimated delivery date shown in your purchase history you should be able to open an item not received case to get a refund. If the package arrives after you've been refunded you can refuse delivery.

[albertabrightalberta]

I may be wrong but in a way, I see this issue as a good thing. 

Between the delays, erroneous authentications and lost items after AG items reach the authenticators (across most if not all AG categories), maybe it will be a catalyst for ebay to rethink the program. 

The reasons for my thinking: 

• Once an item gets to the authenticator, seller is off the hook for INR
• Buyer is protected if final delivery isn't made to the buyer
• If items sit at authentication center after estimated delivery and buyer files INR, buyer WILL be made whole or filing INR may shake the item loose from wherever it's stuck, authentication will take place and item may be (finally) on its way to the buyer.

My opinion is that ebay either misjudged the expertise and ability of their authenticators and/or they underestimated the number of authenticators they need and/or they underestimated the number of listings they'd need to verify. 

Whatever the case, although some sales and purchases go smoothly (and I had one that did go well), I believe the program is a huge fail.

If the issues cost ebay enough money and losses, maybe they will discontinue the program.

[12345jamesstamps]

I am not sure about jewelry but I know about a watch getting authenticated.

Watches are done by a watch shop that does repairs and sells watches...so it's a business and I assume business of customers coming into the shop are a 1st priority and eBay is 2nd.

And as with all businesses and such...employees come and go...just like Amazon which has a revolving door of employees coming and going. Could be a lack of employee help probably.

[kathiec]

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@12345jamesstamps wrote:

I am not sure about jewelry but I know about a watch getting authenticated.

Watches are done by a watch shop that does repairs and sells watches...so it's a business and I assume business of customers coming into the shop are a 1st priority and eBay is 2nd.

And as with all businesses and such...employees come and go...just like Amazon which has a revolving door of employees coming and going. Could be a lack of employee help probably.

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I think it's an understatement to refer to Stoll & Co (the firm that does eBay's watch authentications) as a "watch shop". That invokes images of a little mom-and-pop jewelry store. It's actually a huge watch service center, with no apparent storefront. All they do is repair watches.

https://www.americaswatchmaker.com/