Safe Shopping Online with 10 Easy Steps to Avoid Being Scammed on High Value Memorabilia on Ebay



It'ss that time of year again. And, we'sre all looking for that special gift (http://www.cvtreasures.com/), that unique Christmas gift (http://www.cvtreasures.com)that will leave an everlasting impression. So, as 90% of the population searches on the internet for gift ideas for Christmas (http://www.cvtreasures.com), keep the below steps in mind so you won'st become a victim to online fraud.

1. One of the most popular myths on eBay is But he has Good Positive Feedback He Must be Legitimate suggests the autograph (http://www.cvtreasures.com/index.phpmain_page=index's38;cPath=67), antique oil painting or original movie poster (http://www.cvtreasures.com/index.phpmain_page=index's38;cPath=66)is authentic The answer - No. Many online forgers have 100% positive feedback. Why These sellers give great customer service. They'sre essentially criminals selling fake items like forged autographs. However, this type of seller sends items promptly, answer questions, and refund if the buyer discovers it is not authentic. Yet, these guys know a very small fraction of buyers will ever get their autographs or art oil paintings authenticated as these forgers prey on the inexperience of their victims. These inexperienced buyers do not know what they are buying, never mind knowing where to go to have it authenticated. Valuable collectibles like sports memorabilia (http://www.cvtreasures.com/index.phpmain_page=index's38;cPath=68)and vintage movie memorabilia (http://www.cvtreasures.com/index.phpmain_page=index's38;cPath=66)is big business and these white collar criminals know it. When Conway'ss Vintage Treasures looks online for oil paintings for sale (http://www.cvtreasures.com/index.phpmain_page=index's38;cPath=69), they first educates themselves about the oil painting artist.

2. There is almost always a pattern. Always, check other items for sale by this seller. Many of these fraudulent memorabilia (http://www.cvtreasures.com) sellers have a pattern. For example, no one can sell an authentic Judy Garland autograph for $50, or a Guy Wiggins landscape oil painting for $500, the market won'st allow it. And, the market is made of experienced collectors. When an authentic Judy Garland autograph does appear on Ebay you will see a dramatic difference in the selling price, such as a genuine one that sold for $900 recently. Also, many of these sellers use the same type medium, i.e, same kind of paper. One particular Ebay autograph forger, who sold over 100,000 forgeries on Ebay used the same kind of paper for all his forgeries. This seller posted many of the same autographs every week. So you can see he had the same Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley up almost every week and it was obviously the same person manufacturing all the signatures. This deceitful individual sold about 2000 fake autographs a week until he was finally, after several years, expelled from Ebay. Unfortunately these unscrupulous characters find their way back to Ebay with new ID'ss or via another seller.

3. Beware of Grossly Under-valued Sales: The online forger sells autographs and fine art oil paintings every week for a fraction of actual value. If he were selling authentic autographs he would be paying close to market value to acquire them and hence NOT be able to sell for such low final bids. However, when you are forging all the signatures the overhead is, well, about zero.

4. Another popular myth on eBay is It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) so it must be real. COA'ss are only worth the value of the paper unless they come from a reputable source. The online forger never uses a COA from a reputable source. A seller of suspicious material will issue a COA made out by him (or her). Also, does the COA provide all contact information Again, what is behind the COA, i.e. years in business, a location or permanent web site (not the anonymous Ebay Store), is the guarantee without time limit, professional associations he/she is affiliated with

5. The online seller has NO affiliations with reputable organizations for the autograph industry. And, most of the time if you question this type of individual on it he/she will proceed to tell you everything bad about that organization.

6. The unethical seller cannot give you an honest source for their autograph acquisitions. Many online autograph and art forgers use the same fabricated story such as a guy from Europe who was selling an old man'ss collection. So, beware of such claims. A forger cannot provide a sales history, receipt or reputable, documented source for their autographs because they never bought them.

7. Beware of clipped signatures. These are pieces of paper with so-called autographs on them. In particular, never buy a high-end autograph on a slip of paper. It is popular among forgers to forge very valuable signatures on pieces of paper like Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe, and Albert Einstein just to name a few. To protect yourself from these tactics protect yourself by investing in only signed official documents. For example, if you are looking for a genuine Abraham Lincoln signature buy only official signed documents from the time period he was alive such as a Presidential Military Appointment from 1863. It is highly unlikely an autographed memorabilia (http://www.cvtreasures.com/index.phpmain_page=index's38;cPath=67)collector will ever see an official presidential document forged, as forgers are highly unlikely to invest in one of these pricey documents.

8. There is also a eerie consistency in the psychology and disposition of most of these autograph and fine art forgers. When they are confronted, their responses are often consistent with their criminal activity, namely defensiveness, denial and sometimes even vulgar. No snake likes to be uncovered. Ask WHO the valuable collectible was acquired from and what proof is there. Does the seller provide in writing that if proven not Authentic you will get your money back. Is contact information provided such as phone number. The right questions may reveal this typical disposition.

9. What can a buyer or collector do to insure they are buying genuine autographed collectibles (http://www.cvtreasures.com/index.phpmain_page=index's38;cPath=67) Only buy from a reputable dealer, who has been in business for several years, has a physical or online store (web site), and is not hesitant to provide contact information. Ebay provides the ideal anonymous identity opportunity for these unscrupulous people who make a living preying on the inexperienced.

10. The dishonest like to hide. Sellers of suspiciously fraudulent material often hide their feedback, they often hide their location by inputting a vague location other then the town they live in (probably for fear of someone contacting the Attorney General'ss Office). Their descriptions have very little specifics and almost never provide legitimate contact information. Also, almost all of the Ebay autograph forgers have private auctions for fear someone will contact the buyers and tip them off on the scam.

11. Bonus Step. There is a service called PSA quick opinion. This is a very inexpensive service that provides an experienced second opinion on an Ebay autograph. And, it is relatively inexpensive, $7.50 per item. They will return a Likely Not genuine or Likely Genuine result.

As more and more consumers flock to the internet this Holiday season, there are a lot of great buys online along with web sites that offer rare collectibles you can'st find anywhere else. And, by employing caution and educating yourself to some of the risks you'sll be sure to come out on top in your treasure hunting excursions.

Kevin Conway

Conway'ss Vintage Treasures

www.cvtreasures.com





Safe Shopping Online with 10 Easy Steps to Avoid Being Scammed on High Value Memorabilia on Ebay