Authenticity Guarantee program

[mxl6429]

This is the first time I heard and dealt with this "Authenticity Guarantee Program", and I have to say it's a joke. I understand the intention but in practice, it could hurt buyers, seller as well as eBay. Here is my story:

A pair of Nike shoes were sold. It was send to the Authenticity Center per instructed by eBay. A day later, I got a notice saying buyer got the refund and the shoes were returned back to me cus it didn't pass the test for reasons of  "The shoe has undisclosed stains, smudges or dirt". No evidence (pictures were provided) for that claim. I was shocked as I inspected it before shipping.

I got my shoes back yesterday (thank God as I heard the originals might got stolen, replaced or damaged). 

Here are the pictures. Can anyone tell me where are the "The shoe has undisclosed stains, smudges or dirt." as they claimed?

So a perfect sale was ruined. 

[donsdetour]

Photos might help. Yet the authinticator will look everything over and such was rejected: who do you think eBay will say is correct??? You a user name: or a company they use to authenticate???

[heckofagame]

This authentication thing doesn't seem to require a lot of skill. Perhaps it's something to look into, huh?

[fab_finds4u]

The Nike Stussy has black streaks on the heel of the left shoe and a black spot on the right shoe in the toe area, and it also appears soiled.

[mxl6429]

eBay won't let me unload photos, saying it's too large (I took them using just regular phone).

They should at least let the buyers have a say if they see the same issue or they don't even care. If I were the buyer, I like to have my input too.

I am not surprised eBay's bussiness is not doing well.

Anyway, I will try other sites. It's becoming incresingly a hassel to sell on eBay.

[mxl6429]

😂😂😂. Maybe they just grab people from the street. 

[albertabrightalberta]

@mxl6429 

It doesn't seem that in this case, ebay and their authenticators are questioning authenticity but rather, they're saying that the condition isn't accurately described and/or photographed in the listing. 

Because sales are final (if sellers have a no return policy), ebay is overly diligent in comparing the condition of the items they receive to the listing. 

My advice to sellers whose items fall into the "authenticity guaranteed" program is to over-describe any potential flaws, indications of wear, stains, scuffs, etc. 

[mxl6429]

I don't know if over stating is a good thing for all party, eBay included.

I listed pictures from ALL angles/inside out of the shoes and the buyers can centainly inspect them carefully before purchase it. 

Also, I think the inspectors should provide pictures/evidences to both buyer/seller to let them decide if the buyers still wants the item. 

[mxl6429]

I looked again but don't see any of what you described on my shoes. Maybe it's a common thing and I am lucky not to have it.

Do you think those Authenticity Guarantee Program inspectors have those knowledge? I highly doubt it.

[ittybitnot]

 who do you think eBay will say is correct??? You a user name: or a company they use to authenticate???

@donsdetour 

or a company that they now own?  Though it is just my opinion,  eBay's purchase of the authenticator service just didn't see quite right.  

[mxl6429]

agree! I heard other sellers complain about eBay says it's not authentic but many other REAL authentic agencies says it is. What a mess!

They might think it's going to attract more buyers, but it hurts the sellers (buyers too like in my case). Definetly not a good business strategy. 

[mxl6429]

and meanwhile, eBay losses sales revenvue. Maybe they think more buyers will make up for it, but we will see.

[fab_finds4u]

     I looked at your listing and clicked on the first picture,the single right shoe, enlarged it and the black spot is on the suede close to the end of the toe, and looks like it was touched with a black ink pen. In the fabric below the ink spot there's  a faint horizontal streak that's a little darker than the fabric.

     In the picture showing the back of the shoes the left shoe has 2 vertical black marks on the top right side of the sole, and a black smudge on the lower left side of the sole.  I'm viewing it on a Samsung Tab A.   

     They should have passed them because the point is were the shoes authentic or not? I had no idea they could reject them for being defective, which is a good thing if the defects were not mentioned. 

     Maybe someone will know if you can relist them as new with defects if you mention the defects.