Frequently Asked Questions

Buying

What is The Platonist?

The Platonist is a peer-to-peer marketplace for pre-owned luxury goods, designed around transparency, low commissions, and a unique item scoring system to help buyers understand value at a glance.

Are the items authentic?

While we do not directly authenticate items, we do strive based on our experience and expertise to promptly filter out any counterfeit products from the start and on an ongoing basis. Sellers are responsible for listing only genuine items. Our Platonist Score helps buyers evaluate documentation and condition to make informed decisions, and the Entrupy certification service we facilitate helps buyers and sellers to reach the last mile when it comes to peace of mind.

In the unfortunate event that an item sold is confirmed to be inauthentic, The Platonist will trigger the refund and return process to the seller. In those cases, it will be the seller's responsibility to accept the return of the item and his/her permanent banning from listing on the platform. It will be the buyer's responsibility to trigger return within 5 days of receival of the product. If the optional Entrupy authentication service has been hired and Entrupy is unable to authenticate the item, the refund and return process will be automatically triggered by us, even in the absence of a buyer-initiated complaint.

How do I pay for an item?

You can securely pay using credit cards or supported payment methods at checkout. Your payment is held in escrow until you confirm the item has arrived as described.

Do you charge commissions from the buyer?

At this point we do not and do not intend to charge commissions from the buyer.

What if I’m not satisfied with my purchase?

If your item is significantly not as described or arrives damaged, you may request a refund within 3 calendar days of delivery. To be eligible for a return, the item must be in the exact same condition as originally sent — unused, undamaged, and with all original packaging and documentation included. Contact us at support@theplatonist.ch and  please follow the email instructions to begin the process.

For your protection, your payment will not reach the seller until you confirm within 5 days your satisfaction with the product delivered. In case of no response and in the lack of a return request, we will assume you are satisfied with the product and the funds will be then released to the seller after 5 days.

Will I have to pay customs duties?

In certain cases, yes: if the product you selected is provided by a Seller who ships from outside of Switzerland, there might be custom duties charged upon arrival in Switzerland. We do our best to properly flag those cases in our product pages.  We only accept sellers outside of Switzerland providing authenticated items.

Selling

How do I list an item for sale?

We offer two possibilities:

1) Self service selling: follow email instructions to create a seller account and go to your dashboard to add a product. Upload images, fill in item details, and complete the Platonist Score questionnaire. Provided your item meets the acceptance criteria, your listing goes live immediately upon approval. An all-in 7.5% commission fee will be charged in this case (covering among other things the 2.95% payment fee and overall platform infrastructure).

2) Assisted selling: you provide us with the pictures and high level details, and we prepare the listing for you (product uploads, links, product descriptions, etc). An all-in 9.5% commission fee will be charged in this case (covering among other things the 2.95% payment fee and overall platform infrastructure).

In either case, you as a seller do not pay for listings and remain responsible for answering any questions about the product which may arise, shipping the item to the client and/or accepting its return if so triggered by the client, all within the timelines prescribed. You are also responsible for setting the selling price and and receiving/accepting/rejecting any offers that may come your way from potential buyers.

If the client hires the Entrupy certification service in conjunction with the purchase of your bag, it will be your responsibility to ship the bag to us, The Platonist, for the verification to be carried out. In case the item is assessed as inauthentic by Entrupy, we will ship back the item to you and will refund the buyer immediately.

If not sold within 6 months, The Platonist reserves the right at its discretion to remove the item from the platform. And more broadly, The Platonist reserves the right to reject or remove any listings perceived as not compliant with the spirit of the platform.

What are my fees?

You only pay commissions for items sold. We charge no fees for the listing of products in the platform, creating the right incentive for all of us to be successful in selling!

What’s the commission fee?

As described above, we charge a flat 7.5% to 9.5% commission fee depending on the level of assistance you require from us - some of the lowest in the industry. This fee covers among other things the 2.95% payment fee, our fixed costs and overall platform infrastructure.

When do I get paid?

Your funds are released once the buyer confirms that the item was received and accepted. In case of no response by the client and in the lack of a return request, we will assume the buyer is satisfied with the product and the funds will be then released to you after 3 days.

Who handles shipping?

The buyer pays for the shipping costs, but you, the seller, are responsible for packaging and shipping the item within 3 business days of sale. Tracking number must be provided for the monitoring of the shipping steps and their communication to the client.

What are my responsibilities?

You are responsible to ensure the product matches the description and photos provided. This includes guaranteeing product authenticity. You are responsible to accept the return of the product whenever the client requests it within the prescribed timelines, or if the product fails authenticity checks. In the latter case, The Platonist reserves the right to remove you as a seller from the platform altogether as a result.

The Platonist does not directly authenticate items, but we do strive based on our experience and expertise to promptly filter out any counterfeit products from the start and on an ongoing basis. Sellers are responsible for listing only genuine items. Our Platonist Score helps buyers evaluate documentation and condition to make informed decisions, and the certification service we facilitate helps buyers and sellers to reach the last mile when it comes to peace of mind.

In the unfortunate event that an item sold is confirmed to be inauthentic, The Platonist will trigger the refund to the buyer and the return process to the seller. In those cases, it will be the seller's responsibility to accept the return of the item and his/her permanent banning from listing on the platform. It will be the buyer's responsibility to trigger return within 5 days of receival of the product. If the optional Entrupy authentication service has been hired and Entrupy is unable to authenticate the item, the refund and return process will be automatically triggered by us, even in the absence of a buyer-initiated complaint.

Finally, all sellers are responsible for their own tax obligations. The Platonist acts as intermediary only.

Platonist Score

What is the Platonist Score?

The Platonist Score is a 0–5 scale assigned to each listing, based on documentation, packaging, condition, and date of purchase. It helps buyers assess the real value of a pre-owned luxury item.

How is the score calculated?

Sellers answer a short set of questions about the item’s condition, documentation, and provenance. Each missing element slightly reduces the score. A perfect 5 means the item is complete, new, and in pristine condition.

Can I sell an item without a receipt or packaging?

Yes. However, your Platonist Score will reflect these missing elements, helping buyers make informed decisions.

Shipping & Returns

How long does shipping take?

Once shipped, most items arrive within 3–7 business days depending on the seller’s location and chosen carrier. 

Can I return an item?

Yes. For pre-owned items, a return is only possible in case of damage or significant misrepresentations. For new items (score of 5), returns are possible for any reason. You must file a return request within 5 days of delivery.

Who pays for return shipping?

The buyer is responsible for return shipping costs.

Trust & Security

How do I know I can trust a seller?

We display detailed listing questionnaires and the Platonist Score for every item. You can message us or sellers directly with questions before purchasing.

Any transactions carried out outside of The Platonist infrastructure and intermediation are not protected in any way by us and we do not take any responsibility by their outcomes.

Do you authenticate items?

No, The Platonist is a peer-to-peer platform. That said, we do offer the service of facilitating Entrupy certification (see below) and aim at making authenticity transparent through our scoring system.

Entrupy Authentication Service 

For Buyers

What is Entrupy authentication?

Entrupy is a trusted AI-powered service that certifies the authenticity of designer handbags. It uses advanced image recognition and microscopic analysis to verify items from supported brands.

Can I authenticate any product?

No. Entrupy only authenticates handbags from a limited list of designer brands. Currently supported are past and new styles from Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Coach, Chanel, Chloe, Christian Louboutin, Celine, Dior, Dolce and Gabbana, Fendi, Ferragamo, Givenchy, Goyard, Gucci, Hermes, Loewe, Louis Vuitton, MCM, Prada, Saint Laurent, and Valentino. Premium Hermes styles like Kelly and Birkin are also supported, but at higher price points. Please contact us directly at support@theplatonist.ch in those cases.

How do I request authentication for a handbag I’m buying?

When purchasing a handbag, simply add the “Entrupy Authentication Certificate” product to your cart. Once your order is placed, we’ll handle the verification and ship the item with the Entrupy Certificate of Authenticity.

What happens if the item fails authentication?

If the item fails Entrupy’s authentication, your order will be canceled and fully refunded.

For Sellers

What is the process to authenticate my handbag with Entrupy before selling?

You must first purchase our Entrupy Authentication Certificate as a standalone product. Once ordered, we’ll contact you to begin the process, which involves sending the item to our verification center. At the end of the process, provided the item has been certified as authentic, you may expect to see an increase of the item's Platonist score, as a result leading to better prospects for selling, and/or at higher price points.

Can I list my handbag for sale before authenticating it?

If you wish your item to be listed with an Entrupy certificate, you must purchase the service first. Only then can the item be listed as "Entrupy-verified" on our platform.

Which items are eligible for Entrupy authentication?

Only handbags from Entrupy’s supported brand list are eligible. Currently supported are past and new styles from Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Coach, Chanel, Chloe, Christian Louboutin, Celine, Dior, Dolce and Gabbana, Fendi, Ferragamo, Givenchy, Goyard, Gucci, Hermes, Loewe, Louis Vuitton, MCM, Prada, Saint Laurent, and Valentino. Premium Hermes styles like Kelly and Birkin are also supported but at higher price points.

Do I get the certificate once my item is authenticated?

Yes. You’ll receive a digital Entrupy Certificate of Authenticity, and your item will be labeled as "Entrupy-verified" in its listing.

Platform & Policies

Can I cancel an order?

Buyers may not cancel an order once it is placed. Sellers must ship promptly. If a seller fails to ship within 3 business days, payment will be refunded automatically.

What happens if there’s a dispute?

While the responsibility for product condition and authenticity lies with the seller, we will strive to facilitate a mediation to the best of our efforts, based on communication and evidence (photos, tracking, etc.). If a seller is found to have misrepresented an item, a full refund will be issued to the buyer.

How can I contact support?

Email us at support@theplatonist.ch. We usually respond within 24–48 hours, Monday to Friday.

Further questions?

Contact us anytime at support@theplatonist.ch.