FYI - eBay authentication handling of cards with patches, relics & autos

Thought this may help others in future, as eBay don't provide this information to you when you're the buyer for whatever reason.

Context

I bought a PSA slabbed NT RPA from eBay, which obviously includes a patch and on card auto.

It was part of the eBay authenticity program so it went there for assessment first.

Post assessment, I got this email:

As part of our Authenticity Guarantee program, our authentication partner inspected your item and found it to be customised. Therefore, your item has not been authenticated, as customised items are not eligible for the Authenticity Guarantee program. For details on your item's modifications, please refer to the original listing.

So I'm confused right - what do they mean customised? Why are you sending it to me if you can't verify the authenticity? Even more confusing to me was that it's a PSA slab, and PSA are the ones who review their slabs as part of the program.

So I asked the seller if they have more context, and they got this info from eBay:

Your item was authenticated and will be shipped to your buyer, but we wanted to let you know as it contains an after-market signature or an embedded relic that we don't authentic as part of our process.

We stand behind the authenticity of your item, but we can't guarantee things like relics, memorabilia, or autographs added after the fact.

Summary

If a card purchased undergoes eBay's authentication program and features a patch, another relic type, or an autograph (presumably via sticker or on-card), it will prompt the notification mentioned above.

This occurs because eBay does not verify whether the autograph or relic itself is authentic. Responsibility lies with the card manufacturer (such as Panini or another brand) if there are any issues.

eBay merely confirms it as an official card from the respective brand, passing authentication on that front only.

The card will still arrive sealed by eBay.

It would be helpful if eBay communicated this to buyers to prevent confusion.

Hopefully that helps anyone else who gets confused like I did!