Counterfeits and Authenticity

[starfish-and-sunsets]

There is a SERIOUS problem with eBay’s 3rd party authentication services. I recently sold a Gucci bag, with the manufacturer’s serial number easily accessible on the backside tab of the “Gucci made in Italy” label…which if they did their due-diligence and researched the bag, they would have been able to confirm. 

However, my bag was rejected for “not looking real”. In the luxury resale market, we do not authenticate items by determining if they “look” real or not. There are serial numbers for a reason, and that is to validate authenticity. 

My first search on eBay for the same bag was shown in Japan and I noticed MAJOR differences!! Their lining did not have the “Gucci” signature logo, mine did. The exterior bag did not have the signature Gucci “GG”- Mine did. Even the tab with the serial number was more squared on the one in Japan, mine is the rounded corners signature to authentic Guccis.

With that said, there are REAL COUNTERFEITS ON EBAY THAT ARE BEING PASSED AND SOLD, WHILE AUTHENTIC BAGS ARE BEING REJECTED AND SELLERS ARE BEING PUNISHED AND THEIR REPUTATION TAINTED. 

I am writing to corporate about this matter. Coincidentally I have 30 photos of the bag, (inside and out) and was unable to upload them to the appeal (took screenshots of that too). I have lost my trust in faith in eBay at this point. It’s OK for a seller in Japan to sell a knock off that is clearly fake, meanwhile, I am punished when trying to sell the real bag. I took screenshots of the same bag being sold in Japan no without any “Gucci” signature marks on it, but mine doesn’t look real?!??! 

I am not letting this go lightly because BUYERS AND SELLERS TRUST EBAY AND THEIR AUTHENTICATION SERVICES AND THEY CANT DO THEIR JOB!! And I can’t submit photos??? Why is that?? 

[sandimas]

eBay is not qualified to authenticate your Gucci bag. They mostly use AI to authenticate and have a terrible history of all the things you mentioned. Have your bag authenticated by a QUALIFIED person or service and sell elsewhere. eBay will BREAK YOU HEART.

[albertabrightalberta]

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@sandimas wrote:

eBay is not qualified to authenticate your Gucci bag. They mostly use AI to authenticate and have a terrible history of all the things you mentioned. Have your bag authenticated by a QUALIFIED person or service and sell elsewhere. eBay will BREAK YOU HEART.

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This is NOT accurate. The Authenticity Guaranteed program does NOT use AI. They use human experts, which is why the items go to an authenticator! 

@starfish-and-sunsets 

A Gucci bag (or any other brand) having a serial number doesn't mean that the bag itself is genuine. 90% of fakes have serial numbers, date codes or whatever other "authenticity" hallmarks that genuine items might have. 

Since you don't mention having purchased the bag from Gucci or a retail partner, I'll assume you didn't get it that way. (Understand there's nothing wrong with buying 2nd hand, from thrift stores or even from other ebay sellers. But since you aren't the original owner and unless you're expert in a brand, you cannot be sure of authenticity, it's always advised to verify before listing.)

@starfish-and-sunsets 

If you come back and post pictures of your bag, there may be someone who knows Gucci well enough to verify whether a professional authentication is a valid investment. 

With that said, some of the descriptions of your bag lead me to believe that the differences you mention are because you have a fake. 

"My first search on eBay for the same bag was shown in Japan and I noticed MAJOR differences!! Their lining did not have the “Gucci” signature logo, mine did. The exterior bag did not have the signature Gucci “GG”- Mine did. Even the tab with the serial number was more squared on the one in Japan, mine is the rounded corners signature to authentic Guccis." 

[sandimas]

eBay authentication of high end bags is the worst possible reference of ANY high end bag

[albertabrightalberta]

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@sandimas wrote:

eBay authentication of high end bags is the worst possible reference of ANY high end bag

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My comment isn't about whether the AG program is the best or the worst. My comment was a correction to the inaccuracy of your previous statement that "They mostly use AI to authenticate." 

And I stand by my comments. Ebay's AG program does NOT use AI. They have human authenticators. 

[sandimas]

I said eBay in general uses AI to authenticate and that is true. I did NOT say they use AI for their Authenticity Guaranteed program. What else is true is that their Authenticity Guaranteed program is a joke. Please focus on the posters questions and stop harassing me and my information. I have reported you to the mods. trinton@ebay
brian@ebay

[jillsconsignment]

Can you post a photo of your Gucci bag along  with a photo of the interior tag and the numbers? Also, a photo of the black sewn in label attached to the seam of the lining. 

[cathygibsonrn]

The SAME THING happened to me and I included the ORIGINAL RECEIPT with the product (which they had better return to me).  AND… they threw away the dust jacket that was included with it because they said it was “fake”.  I am absolutely horrified!

[albertabrightalberta]

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@cathygibsonrn wrote:

The SAME THING happened to me and I included the ORIGINAL RECEIPT with the product (which they had better return to me).  AND… they threw away the dust jacket that was included with it because they said it was “fake”.  I am absolutely horrified!

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This is a 7-month old thread. 

If you had a similar problem, it's a good idea to start your own thread and post pictures. 

[kh-vince]

Hi everyone,

Due to the age of this thread, it has been closed to further replies. Please feel free to start a new thread if you wish to continue to discuss this topic.

Thank you for understanding.