How Authenticity Credits Work When an Item Cannot Be Evaluated

When you submit a luxury item for authentication, you expect a clear, definitive answer: “authentic” or “not authentic.” It’s the core promise of any authentication service. But what happens when the answer isn’t so simple? What if the photos are too blurry, the item is too damaged, or the piece is so rare that a conclusive verdict cannot be reached with 100% certainty based on the provided information?

This is where the concept of authenticity credits becomes a crucial part of a fair and customer-centric service. Instead of a service keeping your payment for an incomplete result, a credit system ensures you don’t lose your money. The fee you paid is returned to you as a credit, ready to be used on a future authentication.

This policy is a cornerstone of professional and ethical authentication service policies. It demonstrates a commitment to fairness and acknowledges the complexities inherent in luxury item evaluation. In this guide, we will break down exactly how authenticity credits work, explore the scenarios that lead to an “inconclusive” result, and explain how this system benefits you as a valued client.

What is an “Inconclusive” Authentication Result?

Before we can understand the credit, we must first understand the problem it solves. An “inconclusive” result, sometimes labeled “unable to determine” or “requires in-hand review,” is not a failure of the authenticator. Rather, it is an honest admission of the limitations of photo-based authentication in specific, challenging cases.

A professional authenticator’s reputation is built on accuracy. Their goal is to be 100% certain. If even 1% of doubt remains, they cannot ethically issue a definitive “authentic” or “not authentic” verdict. Doing so would be a disservice to the client and would compromise the integrity of their service. An inconclusive finding is a sign of a responsible authenticator who prioritizes accuracy over simply providing an answer.

This commitment to integrity is something our clients frequently praise, as you can see on our reviews page. They appreciate that we would rather be honest about uncertainty than provide a guess.

Scenarios That Lead to an Inconclusive Result (and a Credit)

Several situations can prevent an expert from reaching a conclusive verdict. Understanding these can help you improve your submissions and increase the chances of getting a clear answer on the first try.

1. Insufficient or Poor-Quality Photos

This is by far the most common reason for an inconclusive authentication. Authentication is a forensic process that relies on a clear view of specific details. If those details are missing or obscured, the expert cannot do their job.

Common photo issues include:

• Blurry Images: If the font on a date code or the engraving on a zipper pull is not in sharp focus, it’s impossible to verify its authenticity. The expert needs to see the shape, depth, and serifs of each character.
• Poor Lighting: Dark photos or images with harsh shadows can hide crucial details in the texture of the canvas, the grain of the leather, or the interior of the bag. Natural, indirect daylight is always best.
• Missing Key Angles: A good submission is a complete photo set. If an authenticator needs to see the base of the handle hardware and you have only provided a photo of the front of the bag, they cannot complete their analysis. A reputable service will always provide a checklist of required photos.
• Photos from a Distance: Close-up (macro) shots are not optional; they are essential. The authenticator needs to see the stitching, the hardware engravings, and the heat stamps up close.

When this happens, the service will typically contact you to request better photos. However, if you are unable to provide them (perhaps because you are evaluating a listing and only have the seller’s poor photos), an inconclusive result is the only responsible outcome. In this case, your fee is returned as a credit.

2. Heavily Damaged or Altered Items

Luxury items that have been well-loved for decades often show signs of wear, and sometimes, significant damage or third-party repairs. This can complicate the authentication process immensely.

• Replaced Components: Imagine a vintage Louis Vuitton bag where the zipper has been replaced by a local cobbler with a generic YKK zipper. The original, branded zipper—a key point of authentication—is gone. While other elements can be checked, the absence of this component may prevent a 100% conclusive verdict.
• Relined Interiors: If the interior of a bag has been completely stripped and relined with a non-original fabric, all the internal branding, date codes, and material tags are lost.
• Excessive Wear and Tear: On a very heavily used item, the heat stamp might be completely rubbed off, or the date code may be illegible. If too many of these key identifiers are missing due to wear, it becomes impossible to gather enough data points to make a definitive call.

In these cases, the authenticator can often tell you what parts appear authentic, but they cannot issue a formal Certificate of Authenticity for the item as a whole. This is a classic case where an authenticity credit is issued.

3. Extremely Rare or Unusual Items

While authenticators have deep knowledge, the world of luxury goods is vast. Brands occasionally produce items that are incredibly rare: one-off custom orders, employee-only gifts, or limited runs from decades ago with poor documentation.

When faced with such an item, an expert may not have enough reliable comparison points in their database or in public records to be 100% certain. Counterfeiters sometimes create “fantasy” pieces—items that look plausible but were never officially made by the brand. An authenticator must be careful not to mistake a rare but genuine item for a fantasy piece, or vice versa.

If, after extensive research, the expert cannot find sufficient evidence to support or deny the item’s authenticity, the honest approach is to deem it inconclusive. Your payment is then credited back to your account.

4. Items Requiring In-Hand Physical Inspection

Photo-based authentication is incredibly accurate for the vast majority of items, but some fakes are so sophisticated that a final verdict requires a physical, in-hand inspection.

This is particularly true for very high-value items where counterfeiters have perfected the look but cannot replicate the feel, weight, or smell of the genuine materials. An authenticator might be 98% sure from photos but needs to physically handle the item to close that 2% gap of doubt.

Since a photo-based service cannot perform this physical inspection, they will issue an inconclusive result and recommend an in-hand review. Your fee is credited, allowing you to use it for another item while you decide how to proceed with the inconclusive piece.

How Do Authenticity Credits Work in Practice?

The process is designed to be simple and seamless. Let’s walk through a typical user journey.

Step 1: Submission and Payment
You find a bag you want to buy and submit photos for authentication. You pay the standard fee, let’s say $10, or use a pre-paid credit from a bundle package purchased from the services and pricing page.

Step 2: The Expert Review
The authenticator reviews your submission. They determine that the photos of the date code are too blurry to read, and they need a clearer shot. They message you requesting new photos.

Step 3: The Roadblock
You are a potential buyer, not the owner, so you cannot take new photos. You only have the images from the online listing. You inform the authenticator of this.

Step 4: The Inconclusive Verdict and Credit Issued
The authenticator, unable to verify a key authenticity feature, marks the submission as “Inconclusive due to insufficient photo quality.” At the same moment, the system automatically adds one authenticity credit back to your account.

Step 5: Using Your Credit
Your dashboard now shows “1 Credit Available.” The next day, you find another bag you’re interested in. You submit the photos for this new item. At the payment stage, you simply select “Use Credit.” The authentication proceeds without you having to pay again.

The system ensures that you receive exactly what you paid for: one conclusive authentication verdict. If the first attempt doesn’t yield that result for reasons outside the authenticator’s control, you get another attempt on a different item at no extra cost.

The Benefits of a Credit-Based System

A policy of issuing credits for inconclusive results offers several powerful benefits for you, the customer.

1. It Ensures Fairness and Value

The primary benefit is fairness. You are paying for a conclusive result. If the service cannot provide one, you shouldn’t have to pay. A credit system is a money-back guarantee of sorts. It ensures your money is never wasted on an incomplete service. This fairness is a cornerstone of trustworthy authentication service policies.

2. It Provides Flexibility

A credit gives you the flexibility to decide what to do next. You are not locked into resubmitting the same inconclusive item over and over. You can use that credit on any other item you wish. Found a better bag with clearer photos? Use the credit on that one. Decided to pass on bags for a week and want to authenticate a wallet instead? The credit is good for that, too. It puts the control back in your hands.

3. It Encourages High-Quality Submissions

Knowing that poor photos can lead to an inconclusive result (and the minor hassle of having to use a credit later) subtly encourages users to provide the best possible photos upfront. It educates buyers and sellers on what is needed for a successful luxury item evaluation, leading to faster and more accurate results for everyone in the long run.

4. It Builds Trust and Long-Term Relationships

A service that is willing to say “we can’t be sure, so you don’t have to pay” is a service that is confident in its expertise and values its customers. It shows that they are not just trying to maximize revenue on every transaction. They are focused on building a long-term relationship based on trust and reliable results. This transparency is a key reason why clients become loyal, long-term partners, a fact often highlighted in customer testimonials on our reviews page.

What About Cases Where a Refund is an Option?

Most services default to issuing a credit because the vast majority of users, especially resellers, will have another item to authenticate soon. A credit is instant and doesn’t involve transaction fees that can complicate cash refunds.

However, policies can vary. Some services may offer a cash refund if you are a first-time user and do not plan to use the service again. It is always a good idea to check the specific terms and conditions or the FAQ section of the authentication service you are using. For a business like ProAuthenticators, which serves many repeat clients, the credit system is the most efficient and beneficial approach for all parties.

How to Minimize the Chances of an Inconclusive Result

While the credit system is a great safety net, the ideal scenario is always a clear verdict on the first try. Here are some tips to help you achieve that:

• Follow the Photo Guide Religiously: Every reputable service provides a guide to the exact photos they need. Follow it to the letter. Take more photos than you think you need.
• Master the Macro Shot: Learn to use your smartphone’s macro (close-up) function. Practice taking crystal-clear photos of tiny details like zipper pulls and heat stamps.
• Use Good Lighting: Avoid direct, harsh light that creates glare and deep shadows. Find a spot with bright, indirect natural light.
• For Buyers, Request Better Photos: If a seller’s photos are terrible, don’t just submit them and hope for the best. Politely request the specific shots you need. A seller who refuses to provide clear photos of authenticity markers is often a red flag.
• Be Detailed in Your Submission: If you know an item has been repaired or has specific damage, mention it in the notes. Providing this context helps the authenticator understand what they are looking at.

Conclusion: A Policy Built on Integrity

The existence of authenticity credits for inconclusive results is a hallmark of a mature and customer-focused authentication service. It acknowledges the real-world challenges of evaluating pre-loved luxury goods and creates a system that is fair, flexible, and fosters trust.

It transforms a potentially frustrating experience—an inconclusive verdict—into a hassle-free resolution. You are never penalized for providing photos that aren’t quite good enough or for submitting a uniquely challenging item. The policy ensures that your investment is protected and that you will always receive the full value of the service you paid for.

This commitment to fairness is woven into the fabric of our operations. We want you to feel confident and secure every time you use our service, from the moment you submit your item to the final verdict.

To learn more about our simple, credit-friendly pricing, please visit our services and pricing page. And to see how our commitment to fair and accurate authentication resonates with our clients, please take a moment to read their feedback on our reviews page.