By Anthony Levine, longtime sneaker collector. Updated: 11-15-2022
There are many options for sneaker legit checks. Resale sites provide built-in authentication as part of their services. Here, we look at how the eBay sneaker authentication service stacks up.
How Legit Is Ebay Sneaker Authentication?
EBay uses Sneaker Con’s multi-point legit-checking service for quality sneaker authentication. The sneakers must pass several criteria before eBay sends them on to a buyer.
Using techniques developed by the folks at Sneaker Con, eBay’s sneaker authentication goes through the box, labels, soles, stitching, logos, heel tabs, laces, and everything else on a sneaker. This helps makes sure the buyer is getting what they paid for. EBay covers this cost, as opposed to other resale sites where the buyer pays a fee for the service.
From a seller’s point of view, there are additional protections using this service. If a buyer initiates a return, the sneaker passes through the same authentication service on its way back to the buyer. This helps avoid scams where a buyer returns a different pair than what was purchased.
Ebay Does Authenticate Shoes
EBay uses independent authenticators to make sure sneakers bought through it’s authentication program are legitimate. Using independent checkers helps ensure zero bias towards selling an authentic product.
Click/tap image to shop for these on eBay!
I bought my second pair of AF1 Hong Kongs using eBay’s sneaker authentication process. The service was relatively new then, and as such, the timeline was a little slow as far as getting the sneakers delivered and in hand.
Since then, I’ve sold multiple pairs through the eBay authentication service and can vouch that once eBay’s independent team gets the sneakers, they authenticate and ship to the buyer within a couple of days. Their service is quite a bit faster than it was initially.
Ebay Authentication Is Reliable Overall
EBay sneaker authentication is indeed reliable! Sneakers receive a unique NFC-enabled tag with details about the purchase and as proof of authenticity after completing eBay’s process.
After purchasing a sneaker on eBay listed as “authenticity guaranteed”, it is sent to an authentication team. This team inspects the item within two business days of receipt. Once authenticity is verified, the item ships with free three day delivery.
Ebay’s team attaches a tag to the sneaker that reacts with an NFC reader (i.e. the one on most smartphones). A scan of the tag with such a reader opens a browser with additional details. This includes the size, condition, price and purchase date, among other things.
Unlike other aftermarket site tags, eBay’s tags are harder to fake, as they actually open up details specific to the shoe purchase in question. As of the writing of this article, other resale sites have yet to provide the same level of functionality with their authentication tags.
What Happens When Ebay Authenticates Fake Items?
Ebay sneaker authentication ships under the eBay Guarantee. If the item doesn’t match what is listed, including authenticity, the purchase is eligible for return. Therefore, inauthentic items are returned to the seller and the money is refunded.
Click/tap image to shop for these on eBay!
If eBay’s team discovers that a sneaker sold through its service is inauthentic, they inform both the buyer and seller of an issue. The seller then has three days to respond and offer a full refund before eBay takes matters into their own hands. This goes into effect whether the seller is aware the shoe is fake or not.
This does not only apply to the legitimacy of the sneaker, but anything else that shows the item as not being identical to what’s in the listing. This includes condition, accessories, etc.
EBay’s sneaker authentication includes preowned sneakers. If a shoe is used, the authentication team compares the condition of the shoe to the photos and details of the original listing. If the sneaker is listed as new but appears used, or the condition is a lot different than listed, eBay will send the shoe back to the seller. A similar situation occurs if the listing claims to include accessories or extras, but in actuality does not.
My Thoughts On EBay’s Service
My experience buying sneakers from EBay dates back to the days before other resale sites existed. Besides online forums, Flight Club and social media groups, eBay is among one of the first places to get used kicks. The issue with this is the sketchy nature of rampant replica sneaker listings on the platform.
Other resale sites have come into existence to help combat that uneasy feeling of not knowing for sure whether a sneaker purchased from an individual is legitimate. For a while, eBay fell behind on offering a competitive service on its own platform.
While I haven’t used the service much for buying sneakers, I find eBay’s sneaker authentication to do a great job offering peace of mind. The added NFC tag helps tie the shoe to a specific purchase. This benefits both buyers and sellers as it makes buying the sneakers feel more legitimate, and makes it harder to scam sellers by buying a real shoe and returning a fake one.
From my recent bouts of selling off pairs in my collection, I’ve seen eBay’s speed and efficiency at work. I use Priority shipping on my sales, which gets them to eBay’s authentication centers within 2-3 days. The legit checking team there typically gets through the authentication process with a couple of days and ships out to the buyer with 3 day shipping. If timed correctly, a buyer can have their authenticated and tagged sneaker in hand in roughly a week. This is quite fast compared to the competition.
A final benefit here is that eBay doesn’t charge for this service. While final sale fees can seem high, I do find eBay’s fees reasonable overall compared to the competition. Especially from the buyer’s perspective. If you haven’t given this service a try yet, you should consider it on your next resale purchase.
