This is a guide for novice neon collectors and buyers, that shows what to look out for when purchasing a neon sign on ebay. It also explains how to avoid counterfeits and scams.

It is possible that up to 50% of neons sold on ebay are counterfeits

Today ebay is chock full of counterfeit, and unliscenced neon signage for sale. These sellers are taking away business from those who sell legitimate collectible neon by A: offering a much lower price for their cheap reproductions while making up the difference in their rediculous shipping price, and B: offering an "unbelieveably" wide variety of name brand designs, especially when most of these designs don't even exist. Most buyers of neon on ebay are unaware of this unlisenced and illegal practice and often opt for the cheaper item. Little do they know that the item they have just purchased and probably overpaid shipping for is a fake and holds no collectible value.


Here's what to look out for when considering to buy a neon sign and how to spot a fake.

-First, contact the seller and ask if the item they are selling is an original, lisenced neon sign. Do this for name brand designs such as "BUDWEISER", "CORONA", "BOSTON RED SOX", etc . Generic designs are common to everyone and do not require lisencing, eg. "OPEN" , "TANNING", etc. If you recieve no response, steer clear. Any legitimate seller will be more than glad to let you know theirs is the real thing.

-Next, look for tell-tale signs of a counterfeit such as an unrealistically low price compared to other listings. A computer-generated auction pic is also a dead giveaway. This is not a photo of a real sign, but a computer rendered image designed by the seller. These are used as a template to make the reproductions if you decide to buy. Look closely at the photo and you can usually tell that it is not a real image.

-Shipping prices should be no more than about $60 for even the largest neon sign. If a seller is selling a $300.00 neon for $99.99, he will usually charge shipping of $100 or more to make up for the difference.

-If a seller has an "VERY WIDE" selection of only the most desireable designs and claims the he can get you any design you are looking for, then you are probably dealing with a bootlegger. Real name brand neons are hard to come by and demand a fair market price. No one has the ability to order any design at will. This is why real neons are pricey at times.

-If a seller specifies that the sign you just purchased will be available in a few weeks, then that seller is making the sign in their basement or is waiting for a shipment of counterfeits from overseas. THIS IS A FAKE.

-Every name brand neon has an electric transformer on the back of its frame made by one of only four companies or so. These should be labeled either, EVERBRITE, GHN, NEONTECH, ENHANCE, and one or two others. A sign with a no name transformer is usually a fake.

-An original neon usually has a serial number etched or stuck onto the back of its frame. Absence of a serial number may indicate a reproduction.

This should be sufficient information for most people to make an educated decision when buying neon. Feel free to report any suspicious selling to the ebay security center and voice your concerns. Remember that you are spending a nice chunk of change and you deserve the real thing and not a rip off.