My current library finds. I haven’t read anything yet from Holly Jackson or Stuart Turton, while I’ve read The Kind Worth Killing when it first came out but nothing else from Peter Swanson. I can’t quite decide which one to read first.
I’m about to finish A Gentleman in Moscow, which is a beautiful yet long read. I think I was something fast-paced and entertaining without being too emotional.
Hi everyone, I wanted to share my experience dealing with VC after a bag I sold was damaged during their authentication process. This is such a common experience so I thought some of these might be helpful. If VC damaged your item during authentication and is denying it, **do not give up.**
Last month, I sold a Coach Tabby. It was in pristine condition and even had the original protective wrapping on the straps. During negotiations with the buyer, I - like an idiot - was the one who recommended adding the VC authentication for the buyer’s peace of mind.
VC’s "quality control" claimed there were scratches on the hardware - specifically, on the flat metal base of the C clasp, which led to the buyer cancelling the sale. When I got the bag back, it was clear they had scratched it and packed it poorly for the return.
However, I had videos which showed that these scratches were not there when I sent it. I took an extensive video showing the bag’s condition before I packed it and another video while packing it. Crucially, my packing video showed how carefully I packed the bag. Considering where the scratches were (on the base of the clasp), it is impossible for the damage to occur during transit without other (more exterior) parts of the bag getting damaged as well.
Upon receiving the authentication report, and even before the buyer canceled, I already opened a chat to contest their findings. I send my videos (via google drive) and stated my firm stance that VC failed in their duty to handle items which are in their custody with care. I maintained that once the package is delivered to VC, the risk of damage shifts to them or their agents. If they claim it arrived damaged but the external packaging was intact, the burden shifts to them to explain how a "location-specific" scratch occurred without a packaging breach—or why their staff didn't flag a compromised box immediately.
And this is important - when given the choice, I chose to have the bag returned to me instead of having this relisted and kept in their warehouse. Upon receipt, I took a detailed unbroken video of the unboxing and examination of the condition. I noted that, compared to how I packed it, the VC packed was not as careful with the packing of the bag which I cited as another sign of their negligence. At this point, I stated that given the evidence and under the law (I cited here the applicable provisions in my jurisdiction), VC should be liable for damages caused while the bag was in their custody. I gave them 48 hours to resolve this or I would escalate this matter to the proper venues, ie European Small Claims Procedure.
After some back-and-forth and them asking for more time, I got a breakthrough. An agent confirmed a payout equivalent to my original profit. I was sent a prepaid label to ship the bag back to their hub.
BUT wait, there’s more. After the bag arrives at the hub, their automated system sends an email saying the bag will be "relisted" or "returned to me." I jumped back into the chat. I had to go through three different agents who tried to give me the "be patient" script. I demanded a **Supervisor Escalation**, pointed to the earlier written agreement about the payout, and refused to leave the chat until they confirmed the "Return/Relist" flow was stopped. One agent confirmed the case was escalated to the payment team to issue my funds "as soon as possible."
I am still waiting for the payment but hopefully it comes soon. Just this morning, I sold another item and my heart almost stopped when I saw buyer added authentication. I’m already bracing myself for another round of this nonsense.
**My advice for fellow sellers:**
To the VC employees who lurk here:
There are countless stories here of items damaged during authentication. There is clearly a problem. Nothing erodes trust in a company faster than failure to address negligence. Considering the fees VC earns from transactions, it only seems reasonable that buyers and sellers get the quality service we paid for.