Before a store can take money, two things are checked: who the person is, and that the bank account they will be paid into is theirs.
What that actually proves
That there is a real, identifiable person behind the shop, and that the money cannot be collected by somebody untraceable.
That is a lower bar than people assume, and saying so is more useful than implying otherwise.
What it does not prove
- That they have good taste
- That they pack well
- That an item is genuine
We check the seller, not the stock. For categories where fakes are a real problem, the judgement is yours — ask them to show the tells on camera, and treat a refusal as an answer.
What else stands behind it
Verification is one of three things, and not the strongest. The others:
- The money is held until the item reaches you. How.
- A dispute reaches a person within 48 hours.
A verified seller who sends you the wrong thing is still a problem the held money solves.
Questions people ask
Can anyone open a store?
Anyone who can be verified. Not anonymously.
Does Metzee check items before they sell?
No. The seller, not the stock.
How do I report a seller?
Here. The money has not reached them.
Does a verified badge mean it is genuine?
No. It means we know who they are.
More: is Metzee safe.