Sneaker authentication horrible business model.

[ddcarlucci]

I just had the “fail” on a $79 pair of Nike tennis sneakers because Astoria said no label on box.  There WAS a Nike label with correct model size on the box . I accept returns. This business model is a JOKE!! How much of my time & money & reputation took a hit on this transaction?  How much did eBay lose (time, $ & customer satisfaction) ?  The customer- Gone for good probably.  He wasted time & just wanted a pair of new tennis shoes that weren’t marked up to $130 in stores.  The box??   Does he even care about the box?? He came to eBay to get a $130 pair of Nike shoes for $79.  But eBay forgot WHY consumers shop on eBay when inflation is eating their lunch.   I was told by eBay that possibly usps removed the label. Laughable.   I should get the returned sneaks tomorrow.  Can’t wait to see the box I shipped them in.    Will update ! 

[s.scharmu0]

I am sure glad I do not sell items that need to be authenticated

[kensgiftshop]

No matter how many times you post about it, it's not going to change anything.

[ckimodog]

@ddcarlucci 

Hi again...I'm so sorry.  What a mess.  Hopefully you'll get the box back with the shoes.  Honestly, given all the authentication processes here, with the bags, trading cards and jewelry,  I really think Ebay needs to re-organize and not hire random people who "may" know how to grade or authenticate.  We had a person post here on the forum not too long ago, who was a long time jeweler, took gemology courses in college, the whole 9 yards.  Had been in business 30+ years. You know, someone who has some actual knowledge...they sent a precious gemstone bracelet in to be authenticated and it failed.  lol.  They were rather perturbed. 

Hang in there. 

[sextons-sweet-deals]

I thought there was minimum dollar value for sneakers to go through verification. 

$79 is not worth anyone's time to verify. 

[ddcarlucci]

Thank you.  After **bleep**ing to someone at eBay authentication last nite  my view is the whole program needs to be authenticated!!  
Someone please educate the team as to how business is generated while keeping loyalty from the customer intact. Decide what quality and price point needs to be considered from the eBay sneaker top sellers. I think the authentication company’s demanded more volume  and that’s why $79 shoes are in the program.  Gross negligence to the shareholders by bringing profit down.  

[ddcarlucci]

So I received the shoes back.    No box was sent back.   Ebay compensated me for the box so I could relist without box. .  However,  Astoria is 

still not to be trusted.    Do not include any "gift" in any sneaker sale that might go to authentication.   I always include a pair of good quality socks with every shoe sale.   These happened to be Tom Brady green and white tennis socks.    They were not shipped back,  and I/m wondering now if the other 2-3 pair that went to authentication had the same fate.   So there is the problem of them tossing the box when they come in 

and not finding it later.   Definite problem of Astoria not training or hiring people that take their job seriously. I still think most shoes selling under $80-100 should not be going to authentication.  Takes too much time, and you risk losing the sale, and no one wants to wait over a week for a pair of utility athletic shoes.  

[fredoniacoinandtreasure]

I hate to laugh at this issue, but yes a  $79 pair of sneakers probably doesn't need authentication! I've only bought a couple pair on this site but I'll think twice about it now. I would think a cut off would be in place to only get high value items "authenticated".