With so many people selling different types of furs on Ebay, new and used, choosing what to buy, whom to buy from, and how to care for a fur can be confusing for first time buyers. We are writing this guide to help out consumers interested in buying fur garments. We are a 3rd generation furrier with our own retail store and are excited to share our knowledge of furs with the Ebay community. Obviously, buying a fur from an actual reputable retail fur store and furrier has its advantages. You will be assured expertise and ongoing customer service. Furriers like ourselves typically back up the furs that they sell, and will never sell a fur that is in bad condition. Also, furriers like ourselves typically make sure the used furs they are selling have been cleaned and glazed before being sold, and that they have been checked for rips or imperfections. But, if you must buy from someone that does not have a retail fur store and is not a furrier there are some things you should know. Be careful when buying used furs, many sellers of used furs have no knowledge of furs and what condition the pelts are in. The pelts of a fur garment should be lustrous, supple, and well matched. There should be "give" to the leather side of the fur when tension is applied. The leather of the pelts should never rip, or feel crunchy and dry. Feel the fur carefully, there should be a dense soft underfur that is evident to the touch under the glossy guard hair. The guard hair should be soft-never bristly. Also, watch out for people trying to sell used furs as new, as we have seen many. If it looks like the fur is outdated in style, with outdated shoulder pads or unusually short in length, it probably is a pre-owned fur. And of course, be careful of people selling fake furs as real, if it doesn't feel like fur take it to a furrier who can tell you the truth.

Here are some FAQ about furs:

What is the difference between "female" and "male" mink coats? Female mink is generally lighter in weight, softer and suppler than male mink, which contributes to the reason that female mink garments are higher in price than male. Male mink is ofter used for trimmings and jackets, though full length coats can be made of males to create different fashion looks.

What is Blackglama Mink? Blackglama is the fur industry's name for the highest quality mink pelts raised in the world.  These pelts are all ranch raised in the United States.  These pelts must meet the highest standards possible to be given the name Blackglama and must be raised in the United States.  Remember, if a seller tells you their coat or jacket is made of Blackglama pelts, it MUST come with a Blackglama label with serial number certifying the pelts.  We are one of the only retailers in the country that is a registered buyer of Blackglama mink pelts and manufacturer on our premises of Blackglama mink coats and jackets.

How much should I spend on a good quality fur coat? There is no magic number because so many factors influence the price.  The type of fur used-mink and sable are the most expensive furs, the style and craftmanship, and also length and sweep of the garment affect the price.

What makes one fur warmer than another? The warmth of a fur is determined by the quality of its underfur which acts as insulation, not its surface or guard hair.  Because of this, a sheared fur can be as warm as an unsheared fur.

What are sheared furs? Sheared furs are furs that have been trimmed to a short pile by a machine, reducing bulkiness and weight and creating a soft plush feel. Mink and beaver are the most popular furs to shear and turn out the best.

Here are some general tips for your furs:

Always use a broad shouldered hanger for your furs. Wire hangers are a no-no.

NEVER keep your fur in a garment bag. Many retail fur stores will try to sell unknowing customers them, but furs need air circulation to keep their leather side from drying out. The bags also crush the hair of the fur (picture what wearing a hat does to your hair!).

Storage and cleaning: Furs should be stored and cleaned EVERY year. The typical months for storage are May through October. Home storage, even if using air conditioning or a cedar closet, will not protect your fur from dust, dirt, and insects. Fur vaults are specially designed environments with carefully controlled temperature and humidity. Never clean your fur at a dry cleaner, only by a fur specialist. We have had to fix so many furs brought to us by owners of dry cleaners, they have no knowledge of furs and use chemicals that are harmful and dangerous to the fur to try and clean them. Your fur may not look dirty but needs cleaning and freshening to remove small abrasive dirt particles and chemicals, and to keep it soft. The cleaning process includes a glazing which enhances the lustre of your fur.

Fur is a natural fabric, and naturally durable. Because fur is resilient and lasting, it can be recycles, updated and restyled, time and time again. Take care of your fur and your investment will bring you many years of pleasure.

The cliche of fur being only for formal occasions has be long put to rest. Furs now can be worn with everything!  With jeans and ball gowns.

We hope this guide has helped you to find and care for the fur of your dreams!