eBay's New Authentication Program Will Help You Tell Real From Fake

With ongoing problems with counterfeit items on its site, eBay has recently announced a program to tackle the number of fake products sold on its platform. Launching later this year, eBay will introduce “eBay Authenticate,” a new authentication program for high-end products sold online, helping you know the real from the fake.

How the program will work is that eBay will allow a seller (for a fee) to send an item to an authenticator after selling the piece. After the authenticator reviews the item, he will send it over to the buyer. To get customers to trust eBay even more, the company will refund the buyer two times the cost of the original purchase price (depending on region and terms) if the item is found to be a fake after the inspection. The new service will focus on fashion products, and could expand to other categories in the future. Vice President of eBay Consumer Selling Laura Chambers states:

“We know that many shoppers may be hesitant to purchase high-end products online. This service is designed to help quell some of those concerns — and in turn — enhance the opportunity for our sellers to get top dollar for their items.”