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Reading Time: 4 minutesFor over 25 years, eBay has been a popular marketplace for collectible items to trade ownership. From Pokémon cards to sports memorabilia, this digital auction platform has pretty much become one of the world’s largest online swap meets. But like the flea market, you may sometimes question the legitimacy of an item you’re purchasing when you’re getting such a good price for it.
To give you peace of mind on these investments, eBay actually offers an Authenticity Guarantee on select products that is currently available for the Sneakers (for a limited time) and Watches categories. This service comes at absolutely no cost to you and ensures that you’ll be getting the real deal.
How the eBay Authenticity Guarantee Works
Credit: eBay
Picture this: You’re sitting on your couch watching Netflix when you get a sudden realization that your son is not so little anymore. In fact, he will be graduating college this summer and beginning his journey into adulthood. A graduation gift would be in order, but you ponder what exactly to get. After some head scratching, you got it. He has always been a fan of luxury timepieces, and the brand of his dreams is Omega. You hop onto eBay to begin your hunt.
After typing “Omega Watch” in the search bar, your eyes cross as nearly 30,000 results appear with the price spectrum ranging from a dollar to a hundred grand. You want a good deal but also don’t want the shocking discovery down the line that the watch is a well-crafted imitation. What can you do? Filter the results for eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee. The results drop down to a modest 8,000, but an Omega Speedmaster catches your eye. You know your son will love it, so you Buy It Now. From there, your purchase begins its authentication journey.
Credit: iStock.com/Prykhodov
The seller ships your item out to a third party of professional authenticators who use state-of-the-art equipment to verify its fidelity. Undergoing over a dozen inspection points, your watch is examined from case to crown and verified with the listing. Once the assessment is complete, a unique authentication card will be attached with detailed information about the watch. Then the gift will be on its way to be the surprise that brings a smile to your son’s face at graduation.
This process is similar for sneakers with the Authenticity Guarantee. The only difference is in the authentication tag that is attached after inspection. It will be NFC enabled, so you can see the detailed specs of your purchase right on your phone.
Frequently Asked Questions About eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee
Credit: eBay
What items are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee?
For sneakers, Authenticity Guarantee is available for select brands in the men’s or women’s athletic shoe categories, in new condition sold for $100 or more or pre-owned condition sold for $300 or more. Items specified as “customized” will not be authenticated. “Customized” is defined as shoes that have been modified from their original state. Examples of this include shoes with personalized elements, custom artwork, or any modifications that did not come with the original sneaker.
Watches listed in the primary category of wristwatches and sold for $2,000.00 USD or more are eligible for the Authenticity Guarantee service. In addition, auction items in the wristwatch category that are expected to sell above $2,000.00 USD are also included in the service.
Smartwatches, watch parts, and accessories are not eligible for authentication, as well as items specified as customized.
How long will the authentication process take?
After you purchase your eligible item, it is sent to eBay’s authentication partner, who will inspect your item within two business days of receipt. Once authenticity is verified, the sneakers will be shipped to you with three-day delivery (including signature confirmation for items valued at $750 or more). And eligible watches will be sent via two-day secure delivery with signature confirmation required.
Credit: eBay
What if the item does not pass inspection?
If the item’s authenticity cannot be verified or the item’s condition is not consistent with its listing, it will be returned to the seller, and you will be issued a full refund to your original payment method.
How do I track the status of my item?
Once your item has been inspected, you will receive an order update email with the next steps. Throughout the Authenticity Guarantee process, you can check the View Order Details section for status updates.
Can I return items purchased with Authenticity Guarantee?
You can return an item if the seller accepts returns, as stated in the listing, and the return takes place within the seller’s return window. If the seller does not accept returns or the return is submitted outside the return window, this will be considered final sale and cannot be returned.
If you have other inquiries on the Authenticity Guarantee, you can find more detailed information directly from eBay’s website.
Quan Tsang
A long-time bargain pirate, Quan has been scouring the digital seas for discounts and spreading the savings throughout Slickdeals for years. His Aggregate Reviews help many consumers gain comprehensive insights on the latest cutting-edge gadgetry. Despite his unconditional love for tech, Quan’s favorite deal category is actually watches. Thanks to Slickdeals, he has amassed over three dozen timepieces for his collection.