New Ebay Authentication service

[Flintboy]

Maybe it’s the conspiracy theory guy in me coming out, but I think there’s a back door deal between someone working at either CSG or eBay? What makes CSG the know all end all on authenticating cards? I don’t even think they’ve been in business a full year yet. The amount of $$$ going to CSG on this deal has to be pretty high for such a new company.

[bobbyw8469]

Here is a card that Ebay is wanting to send for authencity, but I am telling you up front, this Ty Cobb Sport Kings card is a fake. 100%.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/40343161313...0AAOSwr1Vh3gQ9

[jimtodd]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

Here is a card that Ebay is wanting to send for authencity, but I am telling you up front, this Ty Cobb Sport Kings card is a fake. 100%.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/40343161313...0AAOSwr1Vh3gQ9

If I’m reading the policy right, since the seller doesn’t accept returns, if someone buys this Cobb, they are still stuck w the card. It gets sent to be authenticated, they say “yep it’s a fake. Here’s the fake card you bought that can’t be returned.” Did I miss something?

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by jimtodd

If I’m reading the policy right, since the seller doesn’t accept returns, if someone buys this Cobb, they are still stuck w the card. It gets sent to be authenticated, they say “yep it’s a fake. Here’s the fake card you bought that can’t be returned.” Did I miss something?

That's not correct.

What if the item does not pass inspection?
If the authenticator cannot verify the item’s authenticity or if the item is not consistent with its listing, you will be issued a full refund to your original payment method.

That's from the FAQ on here:

https://pages.ebay.com/authenticity-...-tradingcards/

[Eric72]

I left a comment for a YouTube content creator; The Personal Finance Dad. I was pointing out the potential pitfalls of the eBay authentication service. To my amazement, eBay replied to my comment.

EDITED TO ADD: "...Authenticators will check to see if a card is altered..."

So, there we have it.

[Flintboy]

Originally Posted by Eric72

I left a comment for a YouTube content creator; The Personal Finance Dad. I was pointing out the potential pitfalls of the eBay authentication service. To my amazement, eBay replied to my comment.

EDITED TO ADD: "...Authenticators will check to see if a card is altered..."

So, there we have it.

I find it comical that eBay will quickly respond to that but won’t pick up a customer service line within 30 minutes.

[ASF123]

There must be some sort of a “trusted seller” exception - I’m seeing the same blue check mark with “Direct from Greg Morris” and “Direct from Dean’s Cards” on their listings.

[MarcosCards]

Originally Posted by Eric72

I left a comment for a YouTube content creator; The Personal Finance Dad. I was pointing out the potential pitfalls of the eBay authentication service. To my amazement, eBay replied to my comment.

EDITED TO ADD: "...Authenticators will check to see if a card is altered..."

So, there we have it.

This response from eBay is very interesting — but I’d like further clarification/confirmation from the company regarding the authentication process. Does it really mean that, in addition to determining whether or not a raw card is an outright fake – the review process also determines whether the card has been trimmed, recolored, or in other ways doctored? If the process covers all of the above, then the concept might have wings.

Also, if the authentication service eventually drops down to include lesser value cards (see post #55 - interview with eBay’s Director of Trading Cards), I think it might be good news for the “raw card” segment of eBay buyers and sellers. Many collectors are not interested in slabbed cards. They just want to know that a raw eBay card – that they can’t hold and inspect – is not fake or doctored. For raw cards, it seems like this authentication review service would evoke more confidence in buyers – and stimulate more transactions for sellers.

I realize there are a lot of “ifs” involved here.

[jimtodd]

Ok, thanks for the clarification.

Originally Posted by Tabe

That's not correct.



That's from the FAQ on here:

https://pages.ebay.com/authenticity-...-tradingcards/

[rand1com]

Originally Posted by jimtodd

If I’m reading the policy right, since the seller doesn’t accept returns, if someone buys this Cobb, they are still stuck w the card. It gets sent to be authenticated, they say “yep it’s a fake. Here’s the fake card you bought that can’t be returned.” Did I miss something?

If it fails authentication, the sale is automatically cancelled and the buyer gets their money back with the card returned to the seller.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by rand1com

If it fails authentication, the sale is automatically cancelled and the buyer gets their money back with the card returned to the seller.

Thought I heard/read that eBay was destroying fakes...

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by Eric72

Thought I heard/read that eBay was destroying fakes...

I heard this too but found it too crazy to believe.

[hcv123]

Originally Posted by Flintboy

Maybe it’s the conspiracy theory guy in me coming out, but I think there’s a back door deal between someone working at either CSG or eBay? What makes CSG the know all end all on authenticating cards? I don’t even think they’ve been in business a full year yet. The amount of $$$ going to CSG on this deal has to be pretty high for such a new company.

The process will give CSG "access" to people buying a lot of expensive cards - likely will have an opportunity to advertise/market/collect contact information to them in the process!

[Exhibitman]

I imagine the shipping issues will be similar to the global shipping: you are responsible to get the card to CSG, while CSG/eBay are responsible for final shipping.

The interesting thing will be not as described claims after this goes into effect: does the buyer get three days after the item has gone through CSG to then make a claim? Does the CSG thing void the return claims window?

Part of it is also schoolyard rules: punch out a bully or two and the rest go away. eBay has so much fraud and so many item not as described claims that it is trying to send a message to fraudsters: go elsewhere. If it can stop the dozens of fake Wagners, etc., that are causing these claims it will save money in the long run, even if it doesn't end up making this 'free for now' service a 'fee forever' service later. My prediction: a policy where a seller who accumulates a certain # of CSG denials will be banned from the site.

That said, authenticating slabs is over the top. A bit of:



Paul is spot-on: if eBay raises fees or passes through this cost directly to sellers, a lot of them are going to say the hell with it and consign to AHs instead.