5 Services to Check the Authenticity of Your Branded Shoes

5 Services to Check the Authenticity of Your Branded Shoes

The counterfeit market has sadly become a normal part of resale culture. You are at risk of purchasing shoes that do not stand up to wear-and-tear, that cannot be resold because they fall apart easily, or that get flagged when you try to list them. It gets even trickier because counterfeits can appear to be almost identical to the real thing in photos.

That’s why services for checking authenticity are critical; they provide an additional layer of verification when we have little trust in sellers who are selling from thousands of miles away, and “OG All” means nothing more than text on your computer or phone screen. You should think of authentication services as insurance against potential loss when purchasing highly anticipated shoes, older pieces, or items with prices that seem too good to be true.

In this article, we take a look at five services you can use to check the authenticity of your branded shoes.

1. LegitGrails

LegitGrails is an excellent tool for verifying sneakers, and it offers fast and accurate results. They combine human expertise with AI to provide their customers with the best possible results. Also, they have developed a methodology that largely mitigates issues that are typically caused by a single person’s mistake by utilizing multiple independent assessors along with a hybrid approach in the event that two or more assessors do not reach a consensus.

The general process that a user will experience on the site after they initiate a verification request is:

• You select the brand/model of sneaker.
• You upload quality images of key areas such as the label, stitching, outsole, and box details.
• You submit images for assessment.
• Reviewers will evaluate the submitted images against known genuine/counterfeit reference points and issue a decision based on their evaluation.
• You will then receive a verdict and certificate of authenticity if the item is genuine for future record-keeping or resale purposes.

LegitGrails also provides buyer protection programs, including customer support and a money-back guarantee should their assessment be inaccurate. This fast shoe authentication decision can help prevent you from experiencing buyer’s regret if you are uncertain about a purchase decision prior to sending payment.

2. StockX

StockX serves as a resale marketplace but really adds value with its “verify before shipping” flow. Unlike other resale marketplaces, which typically involve the seller sending an item directly to the buyer, StockX takes possession of the item from the seller and conducts a multi-step verification process prior to delivering it to the buyer.

The seller’s item gets checked against several criteria, for example, whether it is in “new/never worn” condition, if the packaging meets StockX expectations, and if it was shipped in a way that can be identified through technology and data. The company is constantly improving this verification process through data input from rejected items that did not pass.

StockX has an additional option for trusted sellers (“verified sellers”) to ship directly to buyers rather than through StockX. 

3. GOAT

The GOAT pitch is about building trust on a large scale by providing consumers with the option to buy authenticated products through multiple methods of verification, including digital authentication, in-person inspections, and machine learning support. The practical version is simple in that most pairs undergo a “ship to verify” style workflow, where each pair is inspected by an independent verification team prior to delivery.

GOAT claims that they utilize very large sets of product data points to evaluate authenticity. Should a pair of shoes fail verification or not match the listing, GOAT states that they will replace the pair with the exact shoes as described or provide a refund if applicable.

For collectors, the authentication process turns into a systematic process of buying, as opposed to an opinion-based process of authentication. This is especially useful when seeking older colorways, rare collaborations, or pairs of shoes that may commonly have counterfeits.

4. eBay Authenticity Guarantee

eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee is a program layer added to eligible listings and is run through third-party authenticators. Sellers send their product to an authenticator before sending it to the buyer.

eBay has stated that this is completely independent of the selling brand. The buyer can filter their search results by looking for the authenticity guarantee badge, which shows them that the item is authenticated.

The psychological aspect of this, as well as the practical benefits of an authentication guarantee, provides peace of mind to buyers. Knowing that the package did not go straight from a random seller to their house gives them a degree of assurance. Sellers of legitimate products now have added protection from “the buyer claims that it is fake” issues after they receive the item, as the product has been verified by an authenticator before it was delivered.

5. CheckCheck App

The CheckCheck app provides users with a quick way to find out if an item is genuine. This is especially helpful when someone purchases something in person, negotiates for something from a marketplace, or needs to quickly confirm stock.

Users first add credit to their account, then take pictures of the item from the angles specified in the app. Finally, the photos are sent to two different authenticators to determine if the item is real or fake.

The app also offers digital certificates of authenticity after verification, which can be beneficial for resale and for documenting expensive sneakers. In terms of turnaround time, it depends on the level of service chosen; the platform gives an estimate of when the process will be complete before you move forward with the product submission.

Overall, this app is primarily designed to provide convenience for those making quick decisions about whether or not to purchase items without sending them away.

Ready to Shop with Confidence? Start Checking Smarter!

With counterfeits continuing to infiltrate the international marketplace, it is now crucial for sellers to verify the items and then pay after. Whether the purchase is high-value or the seller is unknown, you should use an authentication service or pick a marketplace that checks pairs before delivery. That one extra step can protect your money, your collection, and your ability to resell later without drama.