One fee, capped, disclosed before funding.
The fee is charged only when funds are released or a case is settled. Orders must exceed $200 to qualify for protection.
- The fee is split 50/50 between buyer and seller by default; either party may elect to cover it in full at approval.
- Concierge authentication — physical inspection and re-ship from our vault — is a separate flat fee of $25–$95 by value band.
- Cancelled or lapsed protections are free. The fee is charged only when funds are released or a case is settled.
- Return shipping on a successful 'not as described' claim is covered by the seller.
Stages, owners, and service levels
Protection requested
Seller requests protection on the order. We review the sale, the listing and both parties before terms are issued.
Seller — Reviewed within 1 business day
Approved & terms issued
We approve the protection and issue the buyer a secure funding link with the agreed amount and terms.
Our desk — Funding link valid for 72 hours
Buyer funds held
Funds are held in a segregated account. The seller is cleared to ship — capital is never released early.
Buyer — Ship within 2 business days of clearance
In transit & inspection
The piece ships to the buyer, or to our vault for authentication where concierge was added. The buyer inspects on delivery.
Specialist — 48-hour inspection from confirmed delivery
Funds released
Inspection passes and the funds are released to the seller, with a receipt archived for both parties.
Our desk — Payout within 1 business day of acceptance
Five steps, on the record
- 01
Case opened
The buyer submits photographs, unboxing video and a written reason inside the 48-hour window. Funds freeze automatically.
- 02
Evidence exchange
The seller has 2 business days to respond with listing photos, packing photos and tracking. Both sides see the same file.
- 03
Specialist review
Our authentication desk reviews serials, cert data, comps and the evidence, and may require the piece returned to the vault for physical check.
- 04
Outcome
Not as described: the buyer returns the piece tracked and insured and is refunded in full including the fee. As described: funds release to the seller and the buyer covers return-side costs. Partial settlements are offered where both parties agree in writing.
- 05
Final
Determinations are final for the purposes of the service. Either party keeps every legal right they would otherwise have; protection does not replace the courts.
Protect yourself on both sides
Buyers
- Fund only through the emailed protection link — we never request funds by DM, text or a personal payment handle.
- Film a continuous unboxing video from sealed parcel to piece in hand. It is the strongest evidence in a case.
- Verify the serial, hallmark or cert number on the issuer's own lookup before accepting.
- Raise any concern inside the 48-hour window — after that the release is automatic and final.
- Never accept a request to move the deal off the protected channel to 'save the fee'.
Sellers
- Wait for the 'cleared to ship' notice. Shipping before funding voids your cover.
- Photograph the piece, its papers or slab, and the packed parcel before it is taped shut.
- Ship tracked, signature-required and insured to full value in a rigid, sealed, water-resistant mailer.
- Upload tracking the same day you ship so the inspection clock starts on time.
- Disclose every flaw in the listing — undisclosed condition is the top cause of lost cases.
Questions before funding
Who can use Authenticity Protection?
Verified collectors, white-glove marketplaces, retailers and pre-owned watch and jewelry dealers, on orders above $200. It is strongly recommended on every sale over $500.
How long does it take end to end?
Typically 5–8 business days: approval within 1 day, funding within 72 hours, shipping within 2 business days of clearance, then a 48-hour inspection window before release.
Where is the money held?
In a segregated account, separate from operating funds, until a release or refund condition is met.
What if the buyer never funds?
The protection lapses after 72 hours at no cost. The seller may re-request it or settle by direct payment instead.
Can I cancel?
Yes — free at any point before funding. After funding, cancellation requires both parties to agree in writing, and any shipping already incurred is settled between them.
Does this guarantee authenticity?
The service guarantees the payment. Authenticity verification is the concierge add-on, where our desk physically inspects the piece against the listing before it reaches the buyer.
Authenticity Protection is a payment-holding and dispute-resolution service for transactions arranged between verified parties. We are not a bank, trust company, money transmitter, broker or licensed escrow agent, and this is not a bank account. Funds held are not deposits and are not government guaranteed.
We act as a neutral stakeholder. We do not take title to, own or warrant any item sold between parties. All contracts of sale are between buyer and seller. Our role is limited to holding funds, verifying the milestones described on this page and applying the dispute process to release or refund those funds.
Valuation figures and grading opinions are informational estimates based on third-party data. They are not appraisals, investment advice or guarantees of value, authenticity or future resale price.
Where concierge authentication is purchased, we inspect the item against the listing and the issuer's published record with reasonable professional care. This is an opinion of consistency, not a certification of authenticity, and does not replace the grading or manufacturer guarantee.
Determinations are final for the purposes of the service and do not limit either party's legal rights or remedies. Nothing on this page is legal, tax or financial advice.
Request the full terms