Authentication Center stole my shoes?

[charisbargainsandsales]

I believe that someone stole my shoes at an eBay authentication center in NY.  Has anyone ever had this happen?! I am shocked..  I sold some Yeezy Boost sneakers, which I had inspected, and were told were authentic before selling them.  The authentication center said they were counterfeit, and said they were sending them back to me, and deducted the profit made from my account. A few days later, I recieved the original box and shoe box EMPTY, no shoes inside. They were $600 shoes. I have contacted eBay about this multiple times, and sent pictures of the empty box, but they do not believe me, and closed the case. The tape was untampered with upon arrival, and had not been opened, so it did not appear to be UPS fault. Any ideas what can be done about this? I wonder if this has happened to anyone else? Definitely makes me think twice about listing expensive items on eBay again.

[whattheactualfox]

Well it all depends on how the packaging was done by the seller (if damaged) and with it being a lost package, in a third party authentication service, there's a lot of question as to what can really be done

[duffy4444]

    For all those frustrated and have lost money AND the item due to the new "return of empty box" fraud:

   Until Ebay does something concrete to protect sellers from empty box fraud, IMO it is not a good idea to sell high-value items on Ebay unless it is for local pickup. When Ebay sees a major drop in their fees for higher-end items, we'll get some action.

   Instead, use a venue like Craig's List, where you are in control of the sale and place to meet, the buyer has to show up with cash, the buyer inspects the item, accepts it as-is and pays for it with cash, then leaves. Sale concluded successfully with no repercussions.

   I don't sell anything over $80 on Ebay (unless it's for local pickup), and will not until Ebay establishes seller-protection return standards dealing with empty box fraud. That's just a part of my business model to protect my sales.

Cheers, Duffy

[mr_lincoln]

@charisbargainsandsales   Really sorry this happened, especially since eBay promotes the Authentication service but it sounds like they are not willing to stand behind it ... or other things for that matter.  I think @duffy4444 's one post hits home about not listing high scam - high value types items on the venue ... too easy to lose them.

[sbdeadhead111]

How did you contact ebay? Ive been trying to contact them about a similar issue and hve found zero success. My guess is that the authentication guys take advantage of their position and steal various things and falsely say things are unauthentic when they are

[jonathankirkland]

Okay I am no longer joking when I say this - I am convinced this shoe authentication service is some kind of front and the people working there are just stealing the good shoes.

There was another thread on here that a guy had some mint condition expensive shoes and sent them in, they told him they were fakes then returned to him a similar shoe but used and disgusting and nasty ones, definitely not the ones he sent in.

Something needs to be done about this garbage company ebay has chosen to work with because it is clearly NOT at all reputable.

I am very sorry you were cheated OP. I would try to get some media traction on this subject perhaps. Reach out to a local media outlet see if there's any interest in a story about this. If enough people do that maybe it will gain national attention and shed a spotlight on this ongoing criminal enterprise.

I hope you get your shoes back but I doubt it's going to happen. 😞

[pikabo-icu]

@jonathankirkland 

I agree completely! There's just way too much of it going on at this point..

And now they have this same wonderful service for handbags!  That's my niche' and I am terrified to list my $800+ handbags to have them stolen or swapped by authenticators! 

This is a freaking nightmare..

At the VERY least- they need to install cameras focused on the work spaces to film each item as it's unpacked, examined and repacked & sealed.. That can't be very expensive and would provide some security. 

[1tuna]

there is an awful lot of fishy stuff going on with the sneakers and its not right.

my good watches all have serial numbers on them when hey go to ebay authenticate

I am unsure if yeezys have serial numbers................maybe they should

I would alwasy ask to speak to the authenticate  team.

if you do not get satisfaction you can ask for James Hendy and you will get his people.

maybe an article in the WSJ would be better

[gabathehut]

There is something quite strange about this authentication center operation.

No way to contact them.

No way to contact seller if sold via the authentication center.

No way to contact Ebay to complain.

Without oversight, they can just say that the shoes disappeared.

In my case they have been inspecting the shoes **bleep**

Lets say they think the shoes are more valuable that what they were sold **bleep**

They can just sit on the shoes until the buyer requests a refund.  

Then they can sell them **bleep**

Sound like a great opportunity **bleep**

[dbfolks166mt]

     So eBay setup the authentication center to thwart some of the counterfeit items and scams and now the authentication center has become the scammer. "And the hits just keep on a coming"

[collectiblesonthenetdude]

I'm currently dealing with missing product shipped through the Las Vegas eBay Authentication Center.  Apparently, a sweltering, festive pit of thievery. After no back-up from eBay (Customer Protection Plan NONESENSE) and zero support from the seller, I finally spoke with a USPS  representative who assured me my complaints were grounded in truth and an investigation to such allegations  had already been established, recently. A big NO THANKS to eBay and seller "read-play-wear"...Shame on you! Others have complaints about this seller. Buyer beware!

[ittybitnot]

@charisbargainsandsales 

Here is the "gotcha":  

Impact of Fraud Detection on Buyers and Sellers.

You acknowledge and agree that if our authenticator detects fraud or suspects that an item is counterfeit, the item may be removed from marketplace circulation. In addition, eBay will work with the proper authorities as needed and reserves the right to confiscate and destroy any items determined to be counterfeit.

https://pages.ebay.com/authenticity-guarantee-sneakers/

If someone at the authenticator claims "counterfeit", they become counterfeit even if they are not. 

[ise710]

---

@collectiblesonthenetdude wrote:

I'm currently dealing with missing product shipped through the Las Vegas eBay Authentication Center. 

After no back-up from eBay (Customer Protection Plan NONESENSE) and zero support from the seller, I finally spoke with a USPS  representative who assured me my complaints were grounded in truth 

---

Collectibles in the nude, eBay stands by their authenticator (because eBay bought the company, so now eBay cannot stand to lose money on their investment) and will close any case you open without giving you a refund.

And the USPS investigation doesn't help you. Instead, file a chargeback with your card issuer (call the number on the back of the card) to get your refund for the missing product.

[dolcetreasures]

The authentication service is very lax on returns but very vigilant on purchases. For example: selling sneakers and having them go through authentication means that the sneakers must be as described to a “t” with all packaging included. Any missing items, damage to shoes or box must be mentioned. 

Returns are handled completely differently. When any buyer who purchased through eBay authentication (SneakerCon) wants to return their item, they are instantly granted a return, they have the same option of claiming NAD as non-authenticated items, and are refunded when the return item makes it back to the Authenticator, seemingly irrespective of what they return or the condition that it’s in(at least in my experience).  As long as the return passes authentication, the condition no longer applies. Buyer can return worn “authentic” sneakers that were sent as new. 

Another major problem is the authentication location is now only in Las Vegas whereas there were two previously. Anyone shipping from the east coast now has to pay shipping to Las Vegas every single transaction. It’s now next to impossible to profit on retail sneakers, not worth the hassle and nonexistent margins. 

[jschroeder1210]

Ebay authenticators stole my purse. Per USPS the package arrived just fine. Per eBay it showed arrived tampered, big hole in the box and my purse was missing. They refunded the buyer from my account the $918. 32 and claim they don't have my purse to return to me. So, I am out my money and my purse. BEWARE: I will no longer be selling anything on eBay. 

[kann_110321]

Hello, 

Sorry for the situation, I don't know if this will help any, but did you check the postage weight on your item? That may help at least determine whether or not your shoes where in the box when they left the Authentication center. I'm not too sure. I would check the weight and go from there. Hopefully you have some photographs and video evidence of your item? If the weight doesn't reflect when they sent them back the shoe's where never in the box when they left the Authentication center. If the weight does reflect, Then maybe you can open a claim with UPS and or eBay. I'm not sure, hope this helps a little.