Authentication in Luxury Resale: How platforms verify that secondhand goods are genuine

Authentication in luxury resale is the process by which platforms verify that pre-owned designer items are genuine rather than counterfeit. This typically involves trained specialists examining products for brand-specific hallmarks, serial numbers, stitching patterns, hardware quality, materials, and other identifying features. Authentication matters critically to resale businesses because buyer confidence depends entirely on product legitimacy: a single counterfeit that slips through can destroy platform credibility and trigger legal liability. The RealReal employs in-house experts, while Vestiaire Collective uses a combination of AI screening and physical inspection. Some platforms charge authentication fees, others absorb costs as part of commission structures. As the luxury resale market expands, authentication capabilities have become a primary competitive differentiator, directly impacting both customer acquisition and average order values.