E-commerce company eBay said it will launch a sneakers authentication program to its platform.
In the future, if you buy sneakers from eBay, a new feature of the platform could save you the trouble of figuring out the footwear’s authenticity. This month, the e-commerce firm will introduce a new service that could identify if the popular shoes are fake or not.
Verifying Authentic Sneakers Program
This week, tech company eBay announced a new service for its platform that would delight sneaker fans. The latest program, called “Authenticity Guarantee,” will help buyers know if the collectible sneakers they intend to buy in the platform is legit. By October 25, the new feature will roll out for select brands of sneakers sold on eBay above the price of $100. Moreover, in the future, the company said it will cover all sneakers above the $100 price range.
Authenticity Guarantee for sneakers kicks off later this month, and by early 2021, all new and pre-owned collectible sneakers sold on eBay for $100+ in the U.S. will be fully vetted and verified by independent industry authenticators. pic.twitter.com/mzuY7U6LWZ
— eBay (@eBay) October 12, 2020
The new sneaker program echoes a similar move from the company last month. In September, the company also launched the “Authenticity Guarantee” for luxury watches. It also included a badge for verified luxury watches at the price of $2,000 and up.
Removing Uncertainty for Both Buyers and Sellers
Sneaker Con Digital will conduct the authentication of the sneakers. For sneakers eligible for the program and sold on eBay, it will first ship to the authenticator, with actual human experts. Particularly, the sneakers will undergo different inspection processes that will check if it matches the listing title, description, and images. If passed, eBay will tag the item as authentic before getting to the hands of the customer.
Jordan Sweetnam, North America Senior VP & General Manager, stated: “By removing any uncertainty with the buying process, our community can buy and sell with total confidence.”
Not only can customers benefit from this program, sneaker retailers, too. According to CNN Business, the program also wards off predatory purchasers. Those buyers acquire really authentic pair of sneakers from eBay merchants and then return the purchase with a fake one. Like the sneakers before getting to buyers, authenticators will also examine the returned pairs before it gets to the retailers.
Authentication Process
TechCrunch reports that Sneaker Con leads the authentication industry. The authenticator teamed up with eBay to form a quality facility. It includes top authenticators, a comprehensive checklist of sneaker specs, and accurate and efficient processes. After an inspector identifies the legitimacy of the sneakers, an eBay tag will also be attached. Not only does authenticated sneakers increase the confidence for every purchase, but it will also boost the resale value.
