So, like, for years, eBay was basically a haven for fugazi sneakers. You’d see these “deals” that were just too good to be true, and surprise, surprise, the shoes arrive smelling faintly of glue and disappointment. The swoosh is a little wonky, the stitching’s off… you know the drill. It’s a total bummer.
But things are… evolving. eBay now has this “Authenticity Guarantee” thing going on for sneakers. Basically, if you buy a pair that’s eligible (they gotta be in specific categories and new, I think) they get sent to some authentication center before they even reach you. That’s actually pretty dope, I gotta admit. They got people who *really* know their stuff, spotting fake stitching from like, a mile away.
Of course, it’s not perfect. Not *everything* is authenticated. So you gotta still keep your eye out.
Look at the seller’s feedback, for crying out loud. If they’ve got a bunch of negative reviews screaming about “fakes!” maybe steer clear, yeah? It’s not rocket science. And read the descriptions! Are they using stock photos or actual pics of the shoes? If they’re being vague, HUGE red flag. Like, seriously huge.
And the price… oh, the price. This is a big one. If you’re seeing a pair of Travis Scott 1’s going for $200, something is seriously fishy, fam. Use your brain! If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Though, TBH, sometimes you *do* get lucky. I once snagged a pair of slightly used Yeezys for a steal, but I was sweating bullets the whole time waiting for them to arrive. Luck of the draw, I guess.
Now, here’s where it gets a little messy, because even with the Authenticity Guarantee, stuff happens. Sometimes a fake slips through the cracks. But, and this is a BIG but, eBay seems to be pretty good about backing you up if you can prove you got burned. Plus, there’s PayPal and your credit card company. It’s like a triple layer of protection. If you can convince an eBay rep, with pics and all the evidence, that you got bamboozled, they should have your back. And if they don’t, go to PayPal, then your bank. Don’t take no for an answer!