Notes on Ebay, Sites That Sell, and Fakes  

by Sue Hooven 

    Some claim that good deals are far and few in between when purchasing a signature.  Though true on one level, that doesn't make it true on others.  All these words do, is encourage Ebay Sellers to jack up prices.  So now, instead of paying $9.99 for that bad Ebay fake, you are paying $49.99 for that Ebay fake!  I don't know about you, but I would be very embarrassed buying a more expensive fake!  Or worse yet, a copy of a fake! Here's some advice that's helped me:

• Don't accept people at face value because they have a popular site.  Anyone can build a website.  Remember that.
• Don't think because someone has a professional looking site their stuff they are selling is not forged.
• Be smart.  If you see someone preaching about low prices are all fakes and then they are trying to sell you and expensive autograph, look at it and see if you REALLY should buy it.  Ask yourself if you can get it free first...
• Look for UACC affiliations.  Though not foolproof, they are generally more respected in the field of collecting.
• Never buy in to words like "Amazing Value" "100% Authentic" or "Super Blowout".  Those are inflammatory words.
• Do watch for these words: Copy, Preprinted, Secretarial, Stamped

     Don't buy into advice given to you by those who sell stuff. You will note a couple of people offering sale items for people who sign free through the mail!  There's something diametrically wrong with someone telling you don't pay $9.99 for an item and on another page on their site, selling you something for $25 or $45 that you can get for free. What they are saying to you is, "trust me because I charge more".  I am reminded of the old adage "A fool and his money are soon parted". 

     HOW TO EDUCATE YOURSELF ON SPOTTING FAKES/HOW TO BUY ON EBAY

     Here's what you should do: 

• Always try to obtain a signature yourself the old fashioned way.  Go to conventions, meet the celeb, or mail them a request.  If all else fails and you must buy and cant' do it from a celebrities site, yes, do be aware Ebay is filled with a ton of fakes. 
• Don't bid for a while.  Be patient.  Find facsimile signatures of the person you want.  Ones from agencies...ones from the celebs site where you can have 4-5 sigs at least that are legit to compare the sigs too.  Store this collection before even looking at signatures to buy on Ebay.  When you are ready to buy, compare them against your collection.
• NEVER take the words from an Ebay seller like, "Obtained in person", "Rare" and "Last Chance" to heart.  People get carried away with that and yes, people have been known to lie. 
• Next, Familiarize yourself with information about the celeb.  For example, most know that Natalie Portman doesn't sign Star Wars stuff. So you can steer yourself towards something else she probably could have signed.
  •   How do you do this?  Go to chat boards and lurk.  Go to newsgroups and take notes.. ask other collectors what they've seen and heard.  If you heard 9 people say they tried Natalie Portman in person and she wouldn't sign, but three of them said she did sign but not Star Wars items and one person says yeah, she signed everything and have I got a deal for you... you will see the big picture!
• Get opinions from others on the item you want to purchase, but never in the end take anyone's word unless you have complete faith in them.  There are too many out there claiming to be professional analysts.  I don't know of one collector with a degree in handwriting analysis.  It's daunting I know. Many email me asking me to validate their items.  I don't like doing it.  On some things, I can spot a million miles away as a fake and others are tougher and some I can say are good.  HOWEVER, I am not an expert either and I tell people so!  They need to know that.  So only deal with people who are honest with you.  If someone says "I know for a fact" and they aren't degreed in the field or if it wouldn't stand up in court, then don't trust them!  A little reserved cynicism is in your best interest.  If they claim to be an expert, run fast.
• Use common sense~ if you know Ewan McGregor is doing 2 films, appearing on 4 talk shows and one awards show and was spotted at a premiere in the past two months, tell me... how likely is it he's at home reading your letter?  Truth is my friends, he's not.  He's got someone signing for him.  So if you see Ewan's sig on Ebay and it was obtained in May in England and Ewan spent the time in Australia, you gotta wonder!  Here's another thing to watch for... if they tell you they got someone's signature at a convention, do a search to make sure that person actually showed up to the convention!  I saw once an autograph obtained a certain date.... two weeks AFTER the celebrity had passed away!  RESEARCH
• Don't be blinded with wanting something so badly and quickly that you compromise your collection and self-satisfaction.  I have done this myself.  In my zeal, I've been careless.  As has EVERY collector I've known.  But we learn.  I am trying here to help others from making costly mistakes like I did. Patience my young Padawan!
• Sometimes  you have to settle... If Natalie doesn't sign Star Wars items or index cards, maybe she'll sign a headshot?  Or maybe a magazine?  So settle if you have to if the sig is worth it.  So why even read the description of "Star Wars signed Natalie Portman photo"?  Let's face it, you are not going to get all the signatures you want on 8x10 color glossy photos!  It just doesn't happen and if you want the sig, you may have to settle for something less.  
• Don't buy under pressure.  Here's an example:  Say Joe Blow emailed me today and bought a cool Liam Neeson signed poster and hey, the same seller is selling a triple signed Harrison Ford, George Lucas and Sebastian Shaw photo!  It's a high cost, at $500, but man, my Neeson is so good,  so he tells me to go for it!  STOP right there. Use the advice given above and you will be guided to the truth about this item and maybe poor Joe Blow's item! 
• Read descriptions carefully.  Sellers like to sell you items with vague descriptions.  Here's one from today

  • STAR WARS HARRISON FORD ALAS HAN SOLO SIGNED EDITION PHOTO

    8"x10"

    This is a high quality Edition 8x10 Pre-printed copy of the Genuinely hand signed original photo , which is a part of my own private collection

    worst of all?  It's a preprinted copy of a forgery!!! A fake copy of a fake!

• Beware of shipping costs. Sometimes people offer things at low prices and charge you insanely for shipping.  I once saw a poster for $10 and the shipping was $30!

Well, that's about all for now.  Just some common sense rules you should consider before buying  It took me years to learn what the heck I was doing and to be honest, I still have a problem now and then.  But never fear, in the end, though daunting as it may seem, there are some good Ebay deals out there.  Sure, every once in the while even would be enthusiasts like me will get stupid, but it's called being human.  All you can do is educate yourself and do the best you can. 

May the Ebay Force be with you!

ADDENDUM:  This article was written with no particular people in mind.  I've received an email from a paranoid person last night who claims notations on my address diary had to do with them (and threatened me with "slander").  Anything I write is usually spurred  on by a number of incidents in general and do not pertain to just one entity! However, had any of my comments been strictly about one entity, they would be unjust in their accusations.  So for clarification, here is the definition of Slander:

  SLANDER: As defined in Miriam's/Webster's dictionary so as not to be taken out of context!:

Main Entry: ²slander
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English sclaundre, slaundre, from Old French esclandre, from Late Latin scandalum stumbling block, offense -- more at SCANDAL
Date: 14th century
1 : the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another's reputation
2 : a false and defamatory oral statement about a person -- compare LIBEL

Think  you've been slandered?

To prove slander,  the person has to show that the false statements were directed at them.

To prove that the statements were indeed false and delivered in a malicious attempt

That the statements, if proved to be slandered, the result caused damage

That the damage can be proved

Then if slander and damage is proven, the amount of damage must be stated and also proven.

Your best bet if you think you have been slandered,  is to hire a lawyer.  Some lawyers will give you free consults.