INFO! 10 Ways to Avoid Being Scammed on Memorabilia

Experienced proprietor offers his eBay advice

We found this online via PRweb and had to pass it along. It is a release from a fellow named Kevin Conway of Conway's Vintage Treasures and it is worth your attention. Eleven tips are listed even though the title is "Safe Shopping Online with: 10 Easy Steps to Avoid Being Scammed on High Value Memorabilia on eBay."

We especially agree with what Conway has to say about the false assumptions often made about sellers with high feedback ratings. He points out that great customer service (getting purchased items shipped promptly; making the transaction easy, etc.) is often what goes into how buyers rate sellers:

"Many online forgers have 100% positive feedback. Why? These sellers give great customer service. They're 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," he writes.

We also whole-heartedly agree with Conway when it comes to the illusions cast by so-called "certificates of authenticity." You'll see many a collectible sold with a COA but what does having such a document actually mean? Conway notes that the answer may be nothing. Who and what are behind the COA - who made it and what their relationship is to the seller - means everything. ANYONE can make a COA attesting to the value of his wares but unless that certification is something from the original manufacturer or an expert third party, what's the point?

"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?" writes Conway.

His release contains a great deal of information we'd classify as "right on." Most of it is, alas, common sense, which is the one trait we will always espouse when it comes to buying and selling on eBay or any other online auctioneer.