How can I spot a counterfeit?

[Nap]

I'm just messing with an EBay seller who is claiming to be the originator of something I know he's not.

Do keep us informed

Nap

 

[theBaron]

...The give away is price..usually half or 2/3rds less the original.

Not always, though. I've recently seen a ballsy Red Chinese pirate who is selling copies of Lincoln Wright's 1/20 Helen and Gertie figures, from his old Scale 120 line. This bastard is charging upwards of 45 bucks for them. I had to do a double-take when I first saw them, because that kind of price usually is reserved for the real items, like a Brickworks figure in its original packaging. But right there in his description was "Recast". I thought, "The balls on this guy...."

Prost!
Brad

 

[moore]

I have another thought and question. If you buy a counterfeit I would not think it would be right to go back to the manufacturer and ask for parts if anything is missing or broken. I am sure people do. The shipping from Europe is expensive. i don't think I would have the nerve to do that. You pay for what you get.
but the manufacturer would not know and for good business they would replace a part
Again. I was just thinking about this

Dee

 

[Alex]

Dee, Pegaso is now asking for a picture of the kit parts and the original box when asking for replacement parts.... and I agree 10000% with them !

 

[Jay-BFG]

Why would you want to keep an obvious recast counterfeit?

Surely, get your money back and destroy it.

 

[moore]

Hi Alex
I like that idea a lot that Pegaso does


Jay. Would a recasters give you your money back are they honest enough to even do that ? Or does or can eBay force them to refund

I am just posing some questions to be more knowledgeable

I myself do not feel confident enough to buy off eBay at all.

Thanks guys

Dee

 

[Wayneb]

Yes, Brad.......You are indeed right...The crooks or ripoff artists(I refuse to call them recasters)... are now setting their price close to or the same as legitimate sellers. So how is one to know?; in particular someone who is just starting in the hobby. Well, I don't have that answer; just felt like tossing in a few cents..

Wayne

 

[Jay-BFG]

Don't know about Ebays policy, but if you use your credit card, you can use them to get your money back.

Done it on a pair of shoes that were advertised on a .co.uk website, but we're obviously counterfeit from China.

I tend to buy direct from manufacturer or their authorised distributors.

 

[moore]

Thank you and agree buying direct is best

Dee

 

[Michael D]

Someone who agrees with me, (WAYNEB) that calling them 're-casters' is far to polite.

"The crooks or ripoff artists(I refuse to call them recasters)... "

It also makes it almost sound 'legit'.........

I say "CALL A SPADE A SPADE".....

They are Pirate's, producing illegal copy's, inferior counterfeit's etc. etc.

Don't legitimise them by calling them "Recasters".

Michael.

 

[Red Five]

Right.


When I get back from holiday I'm going to undercut this recaster by 15%. I have about 10 original castings of what he is trying to sell of left over stock from when I was a dealer in the early 1990s. If he drops his price I'll drop mine.

 

[theBaron]

Yes, Brad.......You are indeed right...The crooks or ripoff artists(I refuse to call them recasters)... are now setting their price close to or the same as legitimate sellers. So how is one to know?; in particular someone who is just starting in the hobby. Well, I don't have that answer; just felt like tossing in a few cents..

Wayne

I saw some more this morning on eBay. I think they have seen what the market will bear.

You're right about the dilemma of a person new to the hobby. The best thing anyone can do is to ask questions in forums like ours, and elsewhere online, to talk to other painters, and dealers at shows, etc.

Prost!
Brad