Sold an item for $999. "Authentication" process is holding up the transaction. WHY?

[cofarb]

I sold an item for $999, minutes after it was listed. I mailed it (using the label provided by ebay--and paid for by me) on the next business day. That was almost a week ago. Tracking only shows that it was mailed. (Yeah, duh, I mailed it.)

What the hell are they doing? Payment has been put on hold. Obviously, the buyer isn't getting it.

If I misrepresent something, I assume that the buyer has the absolute right to return it for a refund. Period. I don't need ebay getting involved.

[kensgiftshop]

Tracking doesn't show it being delivered to the AG center?

[bonjourami]

In our experience, the authenticator usually takes 3 - 5 business days to authenticate. With two shipments (one to the authenticator and another from the authenticator to the buyer) that ends up ultimately delaying the buyer receiving the item by a week to 10 days.

[carlmarxx]

I  thought  sellers  had to send  items that required Authentication   to company first before listing?  Far  as  Grade cards  done by PSA  and the other  known  company's  recommend by the FBI , did need ebay's  Authentication  company  , the seller should  be able to list.    

[cofarb]

It took almost a week after mailing from the post office before tracking showed it had arrived at authenticator. To me, that means it was basically missing. Now at least it's in someone's possession. I had no idea that this sort of thing was happening. (I haven't bought or sold anything over the $500 benchmark before. Now I know. Not happy, but at least informed.)
Thanks for your reply.

[stuff4divas]

@cofarb  so, it was USPS, NOT eBay 'holding' up the transaction?

[cofarb]

Yes and no. Delivery by USPS seemed very slow, but the bigger problem is that I was simply unaware that if an item is more than $500, it doesn't just go to the purchaser. Now I know. Don't like it, but understand it.