How do you distinguish original or repro on Ebay?

[Jedi Master 1]

Hi guys, Like many of you i collect vintage Star Wars figures. There's something that really annoys me about Ebay and that's not always knowing what you get onces you've bought the figures. I always ask the seller as much about the figure i'm interested to bid on or 'Buy now'. The main thing i always ask is about the accessories, most of the time it will say it's repro, unknown? or genuine. But what do you do when you can't see the accessories clearly to identify them from real or fake? I ask the seller if it's real or repro and sometimes they say it's 100% genuine! So who do you trust and how do you know if or what seller you can actually believe?!
Personally i find it's getting more difficult to know what is real and what isn't. So how do you guys on here distinguish what's real and what's repro? I really hate repro and i don't want anything repro in my collection at all. But i feel that i almost have no choice but to accept repro because it's so hard to find the original accessories. The capes are the most difficult once to distinguish from real or repro. I find it very frustrating to spend money on something only to find it's repro instead of real, how do you collectors out there avoid the repro's and only end up with the genuine items? what am i doing wrong?

 

[Richard_H]

The easy answer is to avoid ebay and buy from guys on here.

However, if that's not practical then......

1. Check feedback
2. Check the watch out section here
3. Ask for high quality photos
4. If in doubt - avoid

 

[Michael Sith]

Personally I would not use ebay, for the very reasons you've outlined in your post.

Caveat Emptor I'm afraid.

I would always use the forum and trusted sellers such as Iain, as there are no fees for a start, and you are certain of getting Bona Fide figures/ accessories, so it takes the worry and hassle out of it.

The prices you pay within the community on the forum are also realistic and fair as opposed to overinflated ebay prices.

 

[theforceuk]

When I was collecting loose I would never buy off a seller who sold repros but was claiming certains ones were original. Feedback is always a good sign as well. As you say as well if your not sure ask and make sure they will give you a full refund if their repro. The problem with eBay is it's a mine field for this sort of stuff. :?

 

[Jedi Master 1]

Thanks for the replies guys. I don't really like Ebay very much myself, there used to be a great shop in the high street called (Modelers Loft) in Caterham, where i used to buy them from in the past. All the figures in that shop had original accessories etc so it was great! Unfortunately the shop closed down a few years back so now i don't know where to buy them from other than on Ebay. I bought a Princess Leia in white last night on Ebay which has the original cape but no blaster. The seller states the cape is genuine so i hope it is! If not i will demand a refund. Thanks for recommending me to look for figures on here, i will most definitely go that route instead of relying on Ebay all the time.

 

[itfciain]

There are often a lot of tells you can look for - obviously the first is the weapon itself - if it is the wrong colour (grey is common) then it is pretty much 100% going to be repro. I would check all of the sellers listings (and completed listings) and if you spot a single repro weapon then it is a fair guess to suggest that there will be others in his/her sales

Next tell is how good the pictures are - close ups can give you a pretty good idea if it is genuine or not so if there isn't any then that is not a good sign

The description is usually key as well. If there is any clever wording like 'vintage figure plus accessory' or anything else ambiguous then the seller is trying it on - you can read the same into 'I don't know much about Star Wars but think they are genuine' or 'came from a flea market' - especially if the seller has a history of selling vintage Star Wars

The best ways around it are to ask the question directly - you may well get some of the above responses but you can always ask for additional pictures

Failing all that you could just buy them from me and the other great sellers on here :lol:

 

[chipsteak]

Ha. That's what I do. If the seller doesn't know I look to see if they've ever sold anything with a stupid coloured weapon then decide.

I've had money back if my judgement was wrong and I bought a fake.

 

[steve obi wan]

eBay is a mine field , stay clear !

Full of knobs and scammers :twisted:

 

[Ian_C]

eBay is a mine field , stay clear !

Full of knobs and scammers :twisted:

True, but there are ways to shop smartly on ebay. Most of them have been stated here already.

1) Most important, ASK QUESTIONS! Also ask for better pics!

2) Education, education, education. Know how to tell the difference when you see that high quality pic you just asked for.

3) Check their feedback. If they are selling repros and being ambiguous in their listings, there's a good chance that at some point someone has left feedback ripping them for being a repro seller.

4) Check their other auctions to see if they have sold repros elsewhere that are easier to identify (a grey Leia blaster, for example). Don't forget to check their completed sales, not just current auctions.

5) Take the pics they provide, and post them here. Someone with knowledge will help you.

6) Use logic. If they're selling a $500 item with a BIN of $35, it's almost certainly a tip off something isn't on the up and up. Those crazy things do happen, but are exceedingly rare, especially if the seller lists other vintage SW items consistently.

7) If there are still doubts, move on. Yes, you're protected and would get refunded by ebay, but that's a hassle and you'd be out the return shipping (which I think ebay has said they're working on fixing for Not As Described claims). However, there is almost nothing short of a DT saber, VC Jawa cape, or maybe a Vlix that you can't find again within a couple of days.

Ian

 

[ScruffyLookingNH]

There's great advice in this thread already so I won't repeat it. I'd definitely suggest sticking with trusted traders (there's some great ones right here on this forum). I'd also add that Farthest From is a great place to pick up genuine items at great prices. I kick started my loose collection there earlier this year and hope to getting within touching distance of the end this December. Also, you'll not meet a warmer bunch of SW nuts than at FF. Happy to dispense knowledge, advice and (in the case of Stu) hugs, too.

 

[Robstyley]

You can't distinguish original from repro on ebay, on facebook or anywhere else. Unless they post a close up, in focus photo of the weapon or accessory and even then you can't be sure. All you can do (in my experience) is read the description and then see if what you receive is the same. If you have been told the accessory is genuine and it's not ask for your money back. That's the only advice I can give really. Buying and selling in this hobby is built on previous experiences and reputation. As some of the other guys have said, you will do better on forums and prob even facebook than ebay because you can get to know people and find people who are knowledgeable and trustworthy. You'll find your way as you go along, good luck with it

 

[steve obi wan]

I agree buying and selling on forum's , some FB sites are the best , seller gets the money they want, no fees and the buyer usually saves a bit . My last 5 purchases have been on Fb and I have got a great deal and great service.

I bought a sealed Ben kenobi 12 inch from USA on Friday and it arrived on Tuesday , now that's fast !

:shock: