No More Fakes! eBay brings Authenticity Guarantee to Sneakerheads Down Under

As sneaker enthusiasts, we appreciate any effort to stamp out fake kicks, and now Australia’s number one shopping site – eBay – has launched its program Down Under, giving locals unparalleled peace of mind for prospective purchases moving forward.

As part of the program, Aussie sneakerheads now have access to nearly 90,000 sneaker listings, direct from the US, which all come with the ‘Authenticity Guarantee’ badge. The Authenticity Guarantee for sneakers is in partnership with expert third-party authenticator Sneaker Con, allowing you to shop with confidence knowing your latest cop isn’t a counterfeit. All authentication costs, including the cost of international delivery from the authentication centre to the buyer in Australia, are covered by eBay. For most badged listings, this will mean delivery is free! 

So, how does it work? Once sold on eBay, sneakers are sent to a dedicated authentication centre in either New York or Las Vegas for a physical inspection. Genuine pairs are then shipped to the buyer with an Authenticity Guarantee tag fastened to the sneaker. Buyers can then scan the tag with their phone, opening an encrypted digital certificate showing the product’s details, size, SKU, and date of authentication. As each certificate is unique, the tags cannot be reused or replicated.

At this stage, the service is available for brand new sneakers sold for more than $150 USD, and pre-owned sneakers sold over $300 USD. Eligible brands include all your favourites, like Jordan Brand, Yeezy, Nike, adidas, New Balance, Vans, ASICS, Reebok, Converse and PUMA.

‘There’s a growing army of sneaker fans in Australia – from those who want the latest hot drops to hardcore collectors after rare finds. We know that fakes are a real concern for buyers, and this launch is part of a broader bid to tackle misconceptions about trust on our platform,’ says David Ramadge, eBay Australia’s Senior Director.

‘The launch of our Authenticity Guarantee means the 12 million Australians visiting eBay each month will be able to access eBay’s huge US sneaker range, while feeling confident in the item’s authenticity.’

There’s also good news for Aussie sellers, with eBay planning to bring the service Down Under by setting up a team of local third-party authenticators. Watch this space.

Considering a pair of sneakers is sold on eBay in Australia every two minutes, the Authenticity Guarantee is a huge step in the right direction for the local scene. No more fakes!

Find out more about eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee here. Additionally, you can shop the best sneakers currently listed here.