Poor
Based on 80 reviews
Authenticate First2.7Honesty, pricing, process and quality scores appear once 5 customers have rated them.
World wide luxury handbag and accessories authentication services. We authenticate for both buyers and sellers. Is that handbag real? Authentication is necessary to avoid scams.
Authenticate First (authenticatefirst.com) has 80 customer reviews on Folks Told, with an average rating of 2.7 out of 5.
80 approved reviews, newest moderated first
Gelsil T.
I had a fantastic experience: I bought a louis vuitton fanny pack on a well-known market place but when I got this fanny pack it was weird. I asked for an authentic one at Authenticate first and the baby carrier turned out to be a super fake. Thanks to the experience of their authenticators on louis vuitton I got a full refund from the market place.
Ocra M.
Amazing experience. Very fast service, super!
Diana F.
Their expert does not know how to spot fake items of a real one. We were concern of the logo of a Prada bag. They said it was real, so I ask again to take a look at the stamp, and they told us : This order has been completed, and the item deemed REAL. I did ask again if they did take a look at the stamp as it shows terrible, I even had to show them what I was talking about. Again they said it was real, however, some hours later they told me: Our expert has reviewed them and has changed her opinion. It's my pleasure to help. Please let me know if there are any questions or concerns. It is not acceptable, we purchased the bag after they did confirm it was real for a second time and now their ¨ expert change her opinion... Now I am stock with a fake item, did not apologize and offer 40 dollars for their ¨ mistake It is not a Mistake because I did ask two times more about the conditions of the bag.
Reply from Authenticate FirstFeb 28, 2026
We would like to clarify what occurred here so there is accurate context for readers. Authentication is based on the information visible in the submitted images at the time of review. In this case, after additional discussion and a closer re-examination of the specific area of concern you raised, further indicators were identified that warranted updating the opinion. When new or clearer information becomes available, it is both responsible and necessary for an expert to reassess rather than maintain a prior conclusion that may no longer be supported. That is not a lack of training — it is the correct professional process when evaluating complex items from photos. We also want to note that we cannot control purchasing decisions made outside of our service after an evaluation is issued, and our policies — which are agreed to prior to placing an order — outline the scope and limitations of photo-based authentication. Based on the information provided here, we are unable to identify the specific order referenced. If you would like us to review the situation further, please contact us directly with your order details so we can examine it through the appropriate process. Authenticate First
Mai Trang D.
They assessed my store-bought Gucci as fake as they thought it was a super fake from Italy. According to them, “the makers of these super fakes are using the same materials and such because it is common there that once a factory loses the contract to a brand such as Gucci, that the employees still produce them illegally as they leave behind where the materials to make the items were bought.” If the ones actually making the bags have the same skills, the same design, the same cutting, the same materials - how can they tell these bags apart when the only difference is the arbitrary contract between 2 companies? This doesn’t make sense to me. Anyway the bag was bought by me in Gucci boutique in Sydney airport in 2019 - I have no doubt of its authenticity but I need to get a third party authentication service for my future buyers. By the way I also sent the same images to 2 other authenticators (legit grail and Legit App) and both found my item authentic. The images stored on their sites are also in much better resolution, Authenticatefirst is just that confident in their ability to call out a fake bag in this case, despite the auto-resizing of my picture submission. Needless to say I will not use Authenticatefirst anymore after this. I respect them for sticking to their opinion. If I didn’t buy this bag myself I would be convinced by them, but between Gucci boutique selling a fake vs authenticatefirst thinking my bag is a fake, I have to lean towards Gucci boutique in this case. I have nothing against the way Authenticatefirst works at all, I just disagree with them in this case thanks to the fact that I know where I bought my item, and hence I can’t trust them in the future to check other bags of mine anymore. Also just some advise to future buyers/seller of luxury goods - always seek second and third opinion every time. It might be expensive, but the peace of mind is worth it.
Julie
so I ordered a bag authentication service from them, because I saw physical damage on my bag, immediately after uploading numerous photos + receipts they wrote to me in a chat and asked what the problem was since they don’t see anything suspicious and the bag looks perfect, to which I replied that I was worried about the damage on the handles of the bag, about an hour after my last message they issue a certificate stating that the bag is counterfeit. I wrote to them and asked why they changed their minds so drastically and how damage to the bag can be equated with counterfeit ?!? and even asked to clarify why and how they came to this conclusion, and how come that they said that the bag is in perfect condition with all documentation included, And then when i point on a damaged handle suddenly its a counterfeit ? really ?! Since then - Ignore from their side. (p.s - I already sent the bag to be repaired through the official boutique due to a manufacturing defect) Be aware, they have no clue in what they are doing terrible service
Reply from Authenticate FirstFeb 28, 2026
We would like to clarify the sequence of events for accuracy. Concerns about condition (such as handle wear or damage) and authentication are two separate matters. An item can have physical wear and still be authentic, and conversely, authenticity determinations are based on brand-specific construction and manufacturing indicators — not on the presence or absence of damage alone. The initial message you referenced related to the condition concern you raised, not the authentication outcome. After the expert completed the full evaluation of the submitted images, indicators were identified that led to the authentication determination. The conclusion was not based on the handle damage itself, but on other factors observed during the review. Regarding communication, every order includes a message window, and responses are provided within normal business timeframes. Based on the information provided here, we are unable to locate the specific order referenced. If you would like us to review the situation, please contact us directly with your order details so we can examine it properly. Authenticate First has been in business since 2013, and all evaluations are performed by trained human experts using detailed analysis of submitted images. Authenticate First
Lilly
Only ever had good experience work that business. I get my bags double authenticated and it was always in line with other certificates
Marlo A.
Just saw a fake Michael Kors bag on Poshmark with a COA from Authenticate First. Item has no authenticity tag and the interior name tag is misshapen with a glued-on metal nameplate. Obvious counterfeit details. Same seller also sold a pair of fake Prada pumps with a COA from this company. The metal logo was connected by a metal strip. Completely messy.
Reply from Authenticate FirstFeb 28, 2026
There is no information here indicating that the reviewer is a client of our company or has had any direct business relationship with us. Reviews are intended to reflect actual customer experiences, not third-party observations about items seen elsewhere. Certificates of Authenticity are issued to the original client based on the specific item and photos submitted at the time of evaluation. In secondary marketplaces, documentation can unfortunately be misused, reused, or associated with a different item than the one originally reviewed without our knowledge. This is why verification with the issuing company is always recommended when questions arise. Authenticate First has been in business since 2013 and uses trained human experts with extensive experience in luxury goods authentication. Assertions about what is “obvious” without direct examination or professional evaluation do not constitute an authentication determination. If there is a specific certificate in question, we encourage the individual to contact us directly with the certificate number so it can be verified. Authenticate First
Mrs. B.
I am looking at an Authenticate First certificate for a purse being sold by a charity. The certificate promises that the bag is a certain style, and it is not correct. Authenticate first told me via email that they do not verify the style, that the customer puts whatever label they want in the certificates title. This charity can actually LOSE money due to the faulty info that the certificate certifies as true. The charity is liable for the faulty title. The customers ability to alter this companies own certificate puts a seller at risk and should not be allowed.
Reply from Authenticate FirstFeb 28, 2026
We would like to clarify several points so there is accurate context for readers. First, the individual posting this review is not a client of our company and has not conducted business with us. Reviews are intended to reflect actual customer experiences with a service, not third-party opinions about documentation they have viewed elsewhere. Regarding certificates, order titles and item names are entered by the customer during the automated submission process. This information reflects what the client inputs and is not independently verified unless the optional **Item Identification** service is selected. We offer this service specifically for situations where a client would like confirmation of the correct model or style name prior to certification. Authentication and item naming are two separate functions. Our certificates confirm the authenticity opinion based on the item submitted; they do not automatically verify the style designation unless that additional service is requested. It is the responsibility of the submitting client to ensure the accuracy of the descriptive title if they choose not to use the identification option. Certificates also cannot be altered by third parties after issuance. If there is ever a question regarding a certificate or the item it corresponds to, verification can be completed directly with us using the certificate number. Authenticate First has been in business since 2013 and works with both individual clients and organizations, including charities. We are always available to clarify documentation when contacted directly. Authenticate First
