Ensuring Authenticity in Secondhand: Essential Websites and Applications for Authenticating your Luxury Items

July 6, 2023

The second-hand market has soared in popularity, offering fashion enthusiasts a treasure trove of exquisite vintage pieces and their near-perfect replicas. As the boundaries blur between authenticity and imitation, discerning the genuine from the counterfeit becomes an intricate puzzle, particularly when authentication certificates have regrettably slipped through the hands of their original owners. 

For vintage resellers, a certificate of authentication remains an indispensable tool for establishing credibility and trust between sellers and customers. By offering independent certification of authenticity, sellers can reassure buyers about the quality and authenticity of their products. This can lead to increased sales, improved reputation and customer loyalty. 

How to authentify your second-hand items on resale marketplaces (Vestiaire Collective, Rebelle, Joli Closet, The Vintage Bar) ?

In the constantly evolving online world of buying and selling luxury goods, it is essential to be able to rely on trustworthy platforms.

The authentication process on Vestiaire Collective, Rebelle, Joli Closet, and The Vintage Bar follows a similar approach, comprising several key steps. Initially, a team of experts thoroughly reviews the pictures of the item you intend to sell. Once the sale is made, authentication experts convey a physical verification, meticulously examining every aspect of the product; materials, stitching, labels, logos, and engravings. Finally, the last but not least step is a quality control check. The authentication team compares the listing on the website with the sold item. If the condition of the item as stated in the listing doesn't match its actual wear and tear, the sale cannot be validated by the platform. This rigorous verification ensures transaction integrity and buyer satisfaction on the platform.

The careful authentication carried out by resale platforms ensures that only genuine items are offered for sale, which reinforces the seller's credibility. In addition, the visibility offered by the platform enables sellers to reach a large audience of potential buyers interested in authentic luxury goods. This facilitates transactions, increases the chances of a sale and enables sellers to make substantial profits.

Simplify your product verification with Entrupy: The AI-Powered Solution for Reliable Authentication, Anytime, Anywhere

Entrupy is an advanced Al based authentication service designed to authenticate designer handbags and accessories. The app is accessible for resellers and marketplaces that buy and sell pre-owned luxury items.

Imagine a situation where an online shopper spots a beautiful luxury handbag, but has doubts about its authenticity. Using Entrupy, they can take detailed photos of the item, submit them to the app and get a quick response as to its authenticity. If the bag is genuine, the buyer can proceed with the purchase in complete confidence.  In another case, a seller of luxury goods wants to sell a valuable collector's watch. By using Entrupy to authenticate the watch, the seller can provide a reliable certificate of authenticity to the potential buyer. This increases the buyer's confidence and facilitates the transaction.

All it takes is to download the application and create an account to start using it. Prices vary according to the number of authentications you wish to carry out; you should expect to pay between €100 and €700 per month, depending on the package you choose. If you are a company, pricing is flexible according to your volume.

Once your account has been created, you need to take several photos of your item, following the instructions provided by the application. Once the photos have been sent, Entrupy will analyse and compare them with its extensive database to authenticate the bag. Authentication is usually carried out within 24 hours of the photos being sent, although it may take longer depending on the specifics of the bag.

It's worth noting that Entrupy is supported by the LVMH group, giving it direct access to the databases of many prestigious brands such as Hermès, Dior, Louis Vuitton and Chanel.

In short, Entrupy simplifies the authentication process for luxury items. By using their application, taking photos according to their guidelines and comparing them with their database, you can obtain reliable authentication. This solution, backed by renowned brands and offering accurate analysis, is a safe choice for buyers and sellers concerned about the authenticity of luxury fashion items.

To find out more about the application click here

How to Choose the Right Luxury Authentication Website?

There are several online platforms available for authenticating luxury items such as Authenticate First, MarinaSRH, Bête Sauvage, and more. When searching for a luxury authentication website, it is crucial to consider multiple factors to ensure you make the right choice. Here are some tips to assist you in your selection:

Reputation and Experience: 

Opt for a website with a solid reputation and extensive experience in authenticating luxury items. Conduct online research to read user reviews, testimonials, and assess the company's credibility.

Authentication Process:

Familiarize yourself with the authentication process implemented by the website, whether it involves physical examination or submission of photos. Additionally, inquire about the qualifications of the experts involved. Ideally, the process should be transparent and well-explained. Ask questions about the methods employed, security protocols, cutting-edge technologies, and the databases consulted to verify the authenticity of the items. Many websites rely on Entrupy's database for their expertise, which will be mentioned either on the site or on Entrupy's platform.

Services Offered: 

Verify the additional services provided by the website. Some platforms may offer the issuance of a new authentication certificate alongside the verification process.

Time and Costs: 

Take into account the announced authentication turnaround time and the associated fees. Ensure it aligns with your needs, as it can vary across websites. Some platforms determine their pricing based on different factors such as volume, model of the item to expertise, or desired duration of the authentication process (e.g., MarinaSRH).

Confidentiality and Security: 

Ensure that the website guarantees the confidentiality of your personal information and luxury items. Inquire about the security measures in place to protect your belongings during the authentication process.

It is also recommended to consult other sources of information, such as specialized forums or discussion groups, to obtain recommendations and shared experiences from other luxury item enthusiasts. By considering these factors, you should be able to choose a reliable and trustworthy luxury authentication website.

Conclusion 

Authentication is a time-consuming but essential stage in luxury resale if you want to build trust with your customers. Technology can be your ally when selling secondhand products, to reassure buyers, and the different tools we shared here can help you increase your sales. 

At Oly, we believe that technology can change the daily life of professional resellers by helping them gain time, and sell more across different channels. We have developed a platform that enables you to sell instantly across resale markeplaces such as Vestiaire Collective, Rebelle, Joli Closet, The Vintage Bar. No need to manage your inventory on each channel, you can have everything centralized in one place! With authenticity certificates and Oly to expand your reach, your resale fashion business will skyrocket!

Discover Oly platform here 

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