eBay Introduces Authenticity Guaranteed for Trading Cards
UDPATE 4-24-22
The minimum price for trading card authentication has now dropped to $350.
According to the Wayback Machine, it looks like this change happened somewhere on/around March 31, 2022.
What items are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee?
Authenticity Guarantee is available for individual ungraded sports trading cards, collectible card games, and non-sports trading cards $350 and above.Check back for updates and new eligible price points.
UPDATE: eBay dropped the minimum price for trading card authentication from $750 to $500 in mid-February.
Liz Morton
eBay has announced the addition of trading cards over $750 to their Authenticity Guarantee program. Authentication services will be provided by a third party partner, Certified Collectibles Group – including its affiliates, CGC Trading Cards and Certified Sports Guaranty (CSG). Grading services are not included at this time.
eBay today announced the launch of its Authenticity Guarantee service for trading cards. Beginning now, single ungraded trading cards (including collectible card games, sports and non-sports) sold for $750+ in the U.S. will be authenticated. By mid-2022, the service will expand to include graded, autograph and patch cards sold for $250+. With the addition of trading cards to eBay's Authenticity Guarantee service, the company now offers authentication in four key enthusiast collector categories, including sneakers, watches, handbags and now trading cards.
eBay now offers its Authenticity Guarantee service for trading cards, where single, ungraded trading cards (including collectible card games, sports and non-sports) sold for $750+ in the U.S. will be authenticated. By mid-2022, the service will expand to include graded, autograph and patch cards sold for $250+.
eBay now offers its Authenticity Guarantee service for trading cards, where single, ungraded trading cards (including collectible card games, sports and non-sports) sold for $750+ in the U.S. will be authenticated. By mid-2022, the service will expand to include graded, autograph and patch cards sold for $250+.Certified Collectibles Group – including its affiliates, CGC Trading Cards and Certified Sports Guaranty (CSG)As one of eBay's top categories, trading cards has been growing at a significant pace -- hitting $2 billion in transactions in the first half of 2021. With an average of one sports trading card bought every second, Authenticity Guarantee now brings an added layer of trust to these transactions – as well as unmatched access to comprehensive and accurate product information for collectors.
"Our trading cards business has been growing for the past six years, and the recent surge speaks to the immense cultural significance of the category," said Dawn Block, VP Collectibles, Electronics and Home at eBay. "As hobbies turn into investments, authentication services in categories of high value have become a priority for collectors. With the introduction of Authenticity Guarantee for trading cards, we're giving enthusiasts exactly what they want, while continuing to improve confidence in the marketplace."
Authenticity Guarantee, an industry first for trading cards in terms of size and scale, ensures accuracy so enthusiasts can buy and sell with total confidence. As the service expands to include trading cards alongside handbags sold for $500+, sneakers sold for $100+ and watches sold for $2,000+, eBay further solidifies the marketplace as a top, trusted destination for buying and selling high value items.
eBay is continuously listening to its growing community of collectors to ensure the marketplace is delivering what enthusiasts want and need. Giving collectors even more options and flexibility, Authenticity Guarantee comes on the heels of the introduction of industry-leading tools Price Guide and Collection and Image Scan, which the company debuted in 2021.
Authenticity Guarantee for Trading Cards: How It Works
When a service-eligible trading card purchase is made, the seller ships it directly to a team of third-party authenticators at Certified Collectibles Group – including its affiliates, CGC Trading Cards and Certified Sports Guaranty (CSG) – for a comprehensive, multi-point physical inspection. Following this rigorous assessment, the card is sent via expedited shipping to the buyer or seller.
Details on the trading card authentication process include:
Thorough Inspection: Referencing an extensive database, authenticators inspect the overall condition and general quality. The overall condition of each card is checked against the auction listing description to ensure accuracy and authenticity
Proof Of Authentication: The e-tag features a unique QR code that's attached to the card's protective packaging. The packaging is then placed in the card holder to finalize the process, reaffirming confidence in collectability and resale value. Scan the QR code on any mobile device to learn more about the card and its authentication journey.
Verified Returns: For sellers who choose to offer returns, eBay's Authenticity Guarantee service for trading cards ensures the exact item initially sold is returned to the seller, via a verified returns process. Returns are shipped back to the authentication center, where authentication experts verify each item and its condition before returning to the seller.
Details of the program for trading cards can be found here:
FAQs
What is Authenticity Guarantee?
eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee is a service designed to help you shop with confidence. Authenticators physically inspect all eligible items before shipping to the buyer.How does Authenticity Guarantee work?
It’s easy! Browse and shop eBay’s listings with the blue “Authenticity Guarantee” checkmark. When an eligible item is purchased, the seller ships the item to the authentication facility. There, the item goes through a meticulous verification and inspection process. Once authenticated, the item is safely shipped to you via tracked shipping with a signature required for cards over $750. Please note, there is no grading in this process. We are simply verifying that the card is authentic and that you receive exactly what you ordered.What items are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee?
Authenticity Guarantee is available for ungraded sports trading cards, collectible card games, and non-sports trading cards $750 and above. Check back for updates and new eligible price points. Sets, lots, kits, decks, boxes, packs, patch/jersey, wardrobe/costume cards, and autographed cards do not qualify for Authenticity Guarantee at this time. Both buyer and seller must be located in the U.S. unincorporated territories (incl. Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Armed forces postal locations are not currently covered. Listings that offer only local pickup or items shipped to P.O. Boxes will not be eligible for Authenticity Guarantee.Will I be charged a fee for Authenticity Guarantee?
No. Through the Authenticity Guarantee service, eBay covers the cost of authentication and tracked shipping from the authentication facility to you for a limited time.What happens at the authenticator?
After the authentication facility receives the card, the authenticator first confirms the item and collateral materials are consistent with the listing title, description, and images. Then they will perform a multi-point authentication inspection. Finally, the card will receive a tamper-proof sticker sealing the packaging and certifying that the card is authentic. The card also receives a QR code. Scan it with your mobile device to learn more about your card’s authentication journey.Who is authenticating the cards?
Leading industry experts at the Certified Collectibles Group's affiliates, CGC Trading Cards and Certified Sports Guaranty (CSG), are authenticating the cards.How long will the authentication process take? How long until I get my item?
After you purchase an eligible item, the seller is required to send the item to the authentication facility, where they inspect the item within one to two business days of receipt. Once the inspection is complete, the item will be sent to you with tracked four-day shipping.How can I track the progress of my purchase?
Tracking information is available on the Purchase History page, where you’ll be able to track the shipment of your order and see exactly where it is in the authentication process. As part of the Authenticity Guarantee service, you will also receive an order update email once your item goes through inspection.Is signature confirmation required upon delivery?
Only for cards $750 and above.What if the item does not pass inspection?
If the authenticator cannot verify the item’s authenticity or if the item is not consistent with its listing, you will be issued a full refund to your original payment method.What should I do if I want to change or cancel my order?
You can request to cancel your order through the Purchase History page within an hour of purchase if the seller has not yet shipped the item. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate address changes at this time. Learn more about canceling your order here.Where is my item shipping to, and why is it not my address?
Your card will first ship to the authentication facility. Once verified, the authenticator will send your card to the address entered at checkout.What does final sale mean?
For trading cards that are eligible for Authenticity Guarantee, an item is considered final sale when the seller doesn’t offer returns or the return is requested outside the seller’s stated return window. Final sale items are not eligible for returns.Can I return items purchased with Authenticity Guarantee if I change my mind?
You can return an item if the seller accepts returns, as stated in the listing, and the return is opened within the seller’s stated return window. Outside of this, the item is considered final sale.What do I do if my item doesn’t arrive?
You can report that your item hasn’t arrived. If you didn’t get your item, you are covered under eBay Money Back Guarantee.What do I do if my item arrives damaged?
Open a return request for “item arrives damaged.”If the seller doesn’t offer returns, you can still request a return no later than three calendar days after the delivery date as stated in eBay Money Back Guarantee.
If the seller offers returns, you must request a return within the seller’s return window, as stated in the listing.How does the return process work?
If the seller offers returns for the item you purchased, you will first send the returned item to the authentication facility. Within two business days of receiving the item, the authenticator will inspect that the item returned matches the item sent to you by verifying the authenticity and condition. Also, the card must have the untampered Authenticity Guarantee sticker still attached to it to be eligible for a return. Once verified, the authenticator will ship the item to the seller, and a refund will be processed. The seller or buyer (as defined by the listing) is responsible for shipping costs to the authenticator, and eBay covers the shipping cost to the seller.Why was the item sent back to me by the authenticator after I opened a return?
If the authenticator determines the returned item is not the same item, is not in the same condition, or that the Authenticity Guarantee sticker has been tampered with or removed, the item will be sent back to you, and the return is denied.Can I choose not to have my item authenticated?
Not at this time.
The high minimum price to start shows that eBay is taking a cautious approach to trading card authentication. Hopefully that means they've learned from the mistakes and problem experienced with authentication on sneakers, watches and handbags.
Liz Morton
Liz Morton
