Failed authentication

[deborah1995]

I’ve just had notification that a coat I sold has failed its authenticity check and is being returned to me. It’s 100% authentic and  I’m a seller on of good record EBay for nearly 20 years. I’m  surprised a £230 coat even needed to be checked. Does EBay give reasons why an item fails and how do I appeal?  I tried the help function but was caught in an endless loop with a confused chat bot…  This community help and guidance would be much appreciated.

[reallynicestamps]

Since you are selling in the UK , standards may be different there. 

It might be best to post your question on the UK Board.

Generally, no reason is given for a failed authentication. 

This is to prevent counterfeiters from learning where they went wrong. 

What brand was the coat? Did you get it back?

[stuff4divas]

@deborah1995   this is the link for us here in the U.S.>

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/selling-tools/ebay-authenticity-guarantee?id=4644&st=3&pos=1&query...

don't know if it's the same for the U.K.

[deborah1995]

Thank you for responding. I didn’t realise this was the US Board. It’s where the link from My eBay page on eBay UK took me.

The coat is Max Mara and I bought it myself in store — I buy a lot of Max Mara and sell on the odd piece that I don’t wear much. It has all the right identifying features and labels. I can even find reference photos on line.

The buyer is disappointed as I listed three coordinating pieces — she bought all three and now has the trousers and sweater but no coat.  I don’t have the coat back yet but when I do I have to refund her and can’t relist. 

 The authentication feature seems to be new in the UK.  The first I knew about it was when I went to send the parcel - it seems it appeared automatically on the listing but I hadn’t noticed it.  I’ve sold many designer items over the years, including things like bags that are more likely to be counterfeited, and never had an item that needed authentication before. I would never own let alone sell a fake so it’s quite upsetting to be honest.

I’ll see if I can track down a link to the UK Board and see if anyone there has guidance.

[deborah1995]

Thank you. I found the UK version which is substantially the same. Neither say anything about clothes and nor does Max Mara appear as one of the listed brands subject to check. I will try to get hold of a real customer service manager who is a real person rather than a bo

[adamcartwright]

@deborah1995 

It's a shame because the outfit was so nice together.

I wonder if something in your Description or Item Specifics caused it to fail.

I try to keep my descriptions and specifics to bare bones when an item is to be authenticated, for that reason.

[deborah1995]

That’s interesting. The trouble is I can’t even check the listing to see what might have caused it to fail as the listing has been removed by eBay…..

[grandmasjewelry123]

Oh yes... ebay authentication

I had a pair of 14k gold  cufflinks verified with a GIA appraisal ( which I have) and ebay failed to authenticate

I have a Tiffany necklace and bracelet marked Tiffany and evaluated by a high end jeweler and ebay failed to authenticate "doesn't seem real" not to mention there are comparables on the internet.

and there is nobody to talk too.

and they have no traffic for over two weeks during Christmas season

I wonder how long they think this system will last

You are a 20 year seller, I am nearly 30 years and we don't get to talk with people we deal with endless circles that go nowhere

Talk about a company going down hill, they are a prime example...