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eBay To Combat Counterfeiters With Professional Authenticators That Inspect High-End Goods

Posted by msmash on from the fixing-things dept.

To many, eBay serves as a convenient conduit for shifting unwanted goods and buying items at a fraction of their MSRP. But the online shopping emporium has long been a popular platform for fake products, with luxury goods such as fashion accessories and jewelry high on eBay counterfeiters' agenda. eBay is attempting to fix that. From a report: To counter this, eBay has revealed plans to introduce a new authentication program later this year, with a broad focus on "high-end" goods and launching initially as a trial with fashion items such as handbags. Dubbed eBay Authenticate, the new service will be powered by a "network of professional authenticators," and is ultimately designed to encourage buyers to part with cash on expensive items, safe in the knowledge that the merchandise is legitimate.

1 of 64 comments (clear)

  1. ebay sucks more and more, lately by Blymie · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    There's nothing I despise and hate more, than a company spamming its customers with political garbage. Note this spam received from ebay, below:

    --
    Join eBay Canada in calling for fewer duties and taxes on ecommerce purchases. Support shopping fairness!

    Happy New Year!

    If you’re like me, you love that eBay connects you with amazing finds in nearly every country around the world.

    Unfortunately, Canada’s customs laws make it difficult for eBay users to buy and sell across borders. Our “de minimis threshold” is set at $20, which means we’re responsible for paying duties and taxes on international purchases worth more than $20. Our threshold -- set in the 1980’s -- is out of step internationally: the US threshold is US$800!

    Canada’s low de minimis threshold makes shopping more expensive and creates red tape for entrepreneurs. It also costs taxpayers money because the government spends more to enforce the law than it actually collects at the border. Learn more.

    eBay Canada believes that our laws should reduce burdens on consumers, entrepreneurs, and taxpayers. If you agree, please sign our letter to Finance Minister Bill Morneau.

    Participation is easy. Together, we can make a difference.

    Sincerely,

    Andrea Stairs
    Managing Director
    eBay Canada
    --

    You can't unsubscribe from these emails, as ebay has a 'site changes and enhancements' category of emails that you can NOT opt out of.

    And of course, Andrea thought her little political message is somehow about that. Why?

    Because "I'm the managing director of ebay Canada, I'm special, and I get to spout my politically motivated emails to all ebay members".

    I emailed back, of course, assuring ebay that'd I'd look everywhere else first, now. That I'll try etsy, aliexpress, alibaba and others BEFORE ebay.

    Of course, no one actually read my email, because why would they? And even if they did, well, who wants to tell Queen Bee that she's acting like an idiot.

    I left 'smashwords' for the same reason. The CEO kept sending out political emails, ones you can't unsubscribe from, because hey -- why can't he use SPAM to tell his customers how to vote. What to think?

    I no longer have a smashwords account. And I very much am close to canceling my ebay account.

    Morons.