Canadian authentication centre opening next
month to facilitate eBay 'Authenticity Guarantee' on sneakers over
$100
Sneaker category is surging: eBay's domestic
Canadian sneaker sales increased 325% in 2020
TORONTO, April 14, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, eBay
Canada announces the launch of
Authenticity Guarantee for sneaker sales on the platform.
Through this program, select sneakers sold on eBay for over
$100 in Canada will be fully vetted and verified by an
independent team of industry experts – Sneaker Con. The program
launches early next month with the opening of a Canadian
authentication centre, based in Toronto and entirely dedicated to
sneakers.
"eBay is the original marketplace for the sneakerhead
community, and we remain one of the largest channels that
connects sneaker buyers and sellers, with a pair of sneakers sold
every 1.5 seconds across North
America last year," said Rob
Bigler, General Manager of eBay Canada. "With the launch of Authenticity
Guarantee in Canada, we're
stepping up our sneaker game by building even more confidence and
trust into the trading experience and reinforcing eBay as a top
destination for sneakerheads across the country."
The program launches in May with authentication on the most
popular sneaker styles and brands on the marketplace – Yeezy,
Jordan, Nike, adidas, New Balance,
Asics, Vans, Reebok, Converse, and Puma – in new condition. By
the end of the year, the program will ramp to include many more
brands in both new and pre-owned condition.
This announcement builds on eBay Canada's move to remove selling fees on all
sneakers sold for $100 or more, which
has helped attract more top sellers and bring even more coveted
inventory to the marketplace. eBay has also created new positions
on the Canadian team dedicated to sneakers – a category that has
more than tripled in Canadian domestic sales last year. But
alongside increased demand for luxury and collectible sneakers,
authentication has become one of the most requested features in
categories of high value and high passion.
"We are continually listening to our customers to create
differentiated experiences that meet and exceed their needs, while
building their trust and confidence," said Bigler. "Investing in
sneaker authentication is part of our broader business vision to
build experiences that make us the most competitive and compelling
platform for enthusiasts across our key categories. We want
enthusiasts to know we've got their back and we're here to help
sellers build their businesses."
To power Authenticity Guarantee, eBay has partnered with
Sneaker Con, a leading organization for sneaker authentication,
making eBay's sneaker program the only one in the industry using an
independent, third-party authenticator.
"We were founded by sneakerheads, for sneakerheads, so
partnering with eBay comes naturally considering our mutual rich
history in servicing the sneakerhead community," said Alan Vinogradov, co-founder of Sneaker Con.
"We're excited to take our authentication skills and expertise to
Canada to help power eBay's
Authenticity Guarantee for sneakers."
How Authenticity Guarantee for Sneakers Works
When a sneakers purchase is made, the seller ships it directly
to eBay's authentication centre for a comprehensive, multi-point
physical inspection by independent third-party inspectors.
Following this rigorous assessment, the sneakers are sent via
expedited shipping to the buyer. Additional details
include:
- Proof of Authentication: Upon receiving the
sneakers, the independent authenticator confirms they are
consistent with the listing title, description, and images, and
then performs a multi-point physical authentication inspection. An
eBay tag embedded with NFC chip technology is attached to guarantee
its authenticity and finalize the process, driving confidence in
the collectability and resale value.
- Third-Party Authentication: eBay has
partnered with an industry leader, Sneaker Con, to create a new
state-of-the-art facility in Canada – leveraging top authenticators in the
industry, a robust checklist of product specifications, and
best-in-class processes to ensure accuracy and efficiency. With
rigorous inspection of the box, shoe, and accessories, the
authentication underscores eBay's commitment to giving shoppers
exactly what they want.
- Verified Returns: For sellers who choose to
offer returns, eBay's sneaker authentication program ensures the
exact item initially sold is returned to the seller, via a verified
returns process. Returns are shipped back directly to
the authentication centre, where the third-party
experts verify each item and its condition before returning to the
seller.
eBay Sneakers by the Numbers:
- eBay's domestic Canadian sneakers sales grew 325% in
2020
- Canadians can shop more than half a million luxury
sneakers on eBay at any given time
- A pair of sneakers sold on eBay every 1.5 seconds across
North America last year
- Top five most popular luxury sneaker brands purchased by
Canadians on eBay are Nike, Jordan, Adidas, Yeezy, New
Balance
- Most expensive sneakers purchased by a Canadian so far this
year is the Air Jordan 1 "What The" Doernbecher, bought for
more than $66,000 CAD
Looking to grow your sneaker business? Reach out to us
at sneakers@ebay.ca. To shop sneakers, check
out eBay.ca/sneakers and follow @eBayCanada on Instagram
and Facebook.
About eBay
eBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY) is a global commerce leader that
connects millions of buyers and sellers in 190 markets around the
world. We exist to enable economic opportunity for individuals,
entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations of all sizes. Founded
in 1995 in San Jose, California,
eBay is one of the world's largest and most vibrant marketplaces
for discovering great value and unique selection. In 2020, eBay
enabled $100 billion of gross
merchandise volume. For more information about the company and its
global portfolio of online brands, visit www.ebayinc.com.
SOURCE eBay Canada