I’m guessing you bought a big name item and you need to know if it’s legit because with certification you can get top dollar for it. Maybe you picked it up at the thrift store or bought it online from eBay; either way, you want answers… and here’s how to get them!

There’s many situations which REQUIRE Certification:

• If you sold an item and the buyer has filed a chargeback claiming it is fake.
• If the buyer demands you PROVE it’s real because they absolutely insist it isn’t
• If you bought inventory and it’s feeling a little sketchy to you
• If the inventory is from China (spoiler alert: it probably IS fake)
• If you purchased merch second hand anywhere (yard sale, good will, etc - Spoiler: Likely Fake)
• If you went to a “Purse Party” and they swear it’s real but $40 seems cheap for an authentic Prada bag (Spoiler: FAKE)
• You got it at the Flea Market (Spolier: 99% chance it’s fake)

THE SOLUTION:

There is a site called RealAuthentication.com that specializes in certifying authenticity of most big brand items. Real Authentication offers expert designer authentication services for Handbags, Watches, Eyewear, Clothing, Jewelry, Shoes, Scarves, Hats, and Homegoods (pillows, glassware, and blankets). When you hire their service, a minimum of two experts review each order submitted for thorough, reliable and trusted service.

As mentioned, they certify most big brands, ranging from brands like Kate Spade, Givency or Kors as well as really expensive brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Rolex.

HOW TO WORKS

The process is very painless; you upload clear photos of the merchandise. As soon as you upload, the images are fed through their database to find matches. Afterwards, two or more experts confirm authenticity.

If the item is authentic you can get paperwork stating its been certified.

COST

Basic Certification $30 -This means you will be told if the merch is legit or counterfeit.

Official Documentation $10 - As you can guess, this means you will receive the actual documents / certification paperwork

Mailed Authenticity Card $30 - Authenticity Cards are a durable plastic card, about the size of a credit card. The card will feature the order name, client name, one main image of the item, a Real Authentication certificate number and a scannable QR code for instant verification of the item.

They offer a bunch of additional services, such as Appraisals, Item Age Identification, 12-hour Rush Service and even 1-hour Rush Service. These added services range in price from $10 to $30.

IS IT WORTH IT?

This company has very positive reviews across the internet, so the integrity and workmanship of RealAuthentication.com doesn’t need to be a deciding factor. What you need to consider are the following factors:

If you are the SELLER of the item: Does the buyer genuinely believe it isn’t authentic OR do they just have buyers remorse and want to return it? If their only goal is to return it and not pay return shipping, they don’t actually believe it isn’t real; they’re only claiming it’s fake to guilt you into covering the cost of return shipping + no restocking fee + full refund.

If you are the SELLER and the buyer is reasonable and does seem to sincerely want to know the truth about the item, this is the perfect solution.

However, if the item you sold costs LESS than the Certification, you may want to decide if it is worth spending $30 on. Perhaps you could get the buyer to agree to reimburse you when the certification comes back as authentic? Or, you could tell the buyer about RealAuthentication.com and you can inform them that YOU will reimburse them IF the certification comes back as counterfeit.

If you are the BUYER and you feel an item is fake, in order to win a chargeback you will have to get the certification performed and provide this evidence along with the dispute. Unfortunately for you, the credit card company is not going to refund you and let you also keep the item based on you believing it LOOKS fake. You need actual proof that it is. Even if you “have been buying Gucci for 20 years and KNOW it’s fake” this still is not “evidence”.

In closing, RealAuthentication.com is a truly fantastic way for sellers and buyers to settle authenticity disagreements or for sellers to get top dollar by offering certification along with the item.