Rare Nike Air Jordan 1 Sample Up For Grabs on eBay For Only $250K
The famous signed Nike Air Jordan 1 sneakers used to showcase eBay's new 3D image feature are up for sale on the platform. The 3D image feature apparently hasn't been integrated into the listing experience yet, it is only accessible on a separate landing page eBay has created to showcase these sneakers.
Demetrius Simms
According to Robb Report:
The pre-owned sneakers are a player sample and come with the NBA legend’s signature on the right shoe. Now up for auction on eBay for $250,000, the Nike Air 1 OG Chicago Player Sample—with a left shoe in size 13 and a right in 13.5—was kept in multiple safe deposit boxes to keep the kicks in pristine condition. California sports company, Upper Deck also authenticated the GOAT’s signature on the shoes in 1998. The iconic sneakers don’t come in original boxing, but that shouldn’t deter serious Jordan collectors.
To keep things on the up and up, the Air Jordan 1 listing is being managed on eBay by Auction Cause, and the sneakers will be authenticated before being shipped to the buyer, according to eBay.
It's interesting to note that while the listing says the shoes will be authenticated, it does not have the eBay Authenticity Guaranteed badge.
The listing says the sneakers were originally authenticated in 1998 by Upper Deck.
The Upper Deck authentication number for the signature is not searchable on their website due to the authentication taking place 23 years ago, but the buyer can contact Upper Deck for further information if needed.
In the FAQ under authentication it says "The sneakers will first be authenticated before being shipped to the buyer" , however it does does not specify who will be doing the authentication.
The eBay Authenticity Guaranteed program is limited to only certain brands above a certain dollar amount. This listing certainly fit the minimum price requirement and Nike is one of the qualifying brands, however the seller entered Jordan for the brand item specific not Nike, making these shoes ineligible for eBay Authenticity Guaranteed.
Was this a mistake from the seller and they are counting on eBay authentication that isn't going to happen or was this an intentional way to circumvent having eBay Authenticity Guarantee automatically added to the listing?
Given many of the problems that have been reported with eBay Authenticity Guaranteed, I'm not sure I'd trust them with a quarter of a million dollar sale myself.
Liz Morton
Either way, it doesn't bode well for CEO Jamie Iannone's flagship "trust" initiative that this high profile, high value sale won't be a jewel in the eBay authentication crown.
Side note for the bloggers and journalists out there: US and UK regulatory bodies have some pretty strict consumer protection requirements when it comes to the disclosure of affiliate marketing links.
The use of an undisclosed eBay Partner Network affiliate link in that article is a violation of the terms of the eBay Partner Network agreement and FTC disclosure requirements.
eBay has been leaning heavily on the EPN affiliate program lately as an alternative to the as yet to be seen but theoretically coming soon social sharing incentive program and the FTC has been closely scrutinizing "truth in advertising" especially involving endorsements and promotions with stiff fines and penalties for non-compliance.
If you participate in affiliate marketing, now would be a really good time to review appropriate regulations and the terms of any affiliate agreements to make sure articles and social media campaigns fully disclose affiliate links.
On that note, and in the interest of full disclosure, you won't find any such links on this site for one simple reason - Value Added Resource is dedicated to ad-free independent journalism. No pop ups, no spam, no affiliate marketing - just news, tips and insights for eBay sellers, by eBay sellers. 👍
