In the secondhand market, authenticity is a key factor for reselling luxury clothing, bags, and accessories. Combating counterfeits is essential to ensuring a safe experience for buyers and maximizing the value of sellers' products.
The importance of authentication
Authentication experts are specially trained to recognize the smallest details that differentiate a genuine product from a counterfeit. They analyze materials, stitching, logos, serial numbers, and many other elements.
With the development of artificial intelligence, some companies like Entrupy offer AI-based authentication solutions. Their technology scans photos and analyzes thousands of data points to determine whether a product is authentic or not.
The impact of SEO on buyer confidence
When buying a pre-owned luxury item, people generally turn to websites with the best search engine rankings. High visibility inspires trust and credibility.
For example, Vestiaire Collective is a leading name in the secondhand market. Its extensive catalog offers luxury items in multiple quantities, with the option of expert authentication before purchase. However, the platform also allows direct shipping, where items are sent without prior inspection, thus increasing the risk of counterfeiting.
At Reench, every luxury product is verified by experts before being listed for sale. Furthermore, only carefully selected, trusted sellers can offer their items on the platform. Read more…
The limitations of AI authentication tools
While artificial intelligence makes it easier to detect counterfeit goods, it is not infallible:
- False positives: a counterfeit product can be wrongly validated as authentic.
- False negatives: an authentic item can be rejected in error.
- Limited scope: Entrupy is primarily dedicated to handbags of certain brands and does not support other categories such as wallets or clothing.
- AI is therefore a complementary tool, but it does not replace the human expertise acquired over the years.
Protecting yourself against counterfeits: our advice
To avoid unpleasant surprises when buying a second-hand luxury item:
- Prioritize authentication (even if it's paid) to guarantee product quality.
- Analyze the photos and ask the seller for additional images.
- Have your purchase checked after receipt by an independent expert or directly in store.
