Many good, faithful Catholics are buying relics on Ebay.  For the most part, I think this is a good thing. Ebay has been critized for allowing this, but it does allow Catholics access to Holy Relics and Sacramentals that would otherwise not be available to the Catholic faithful. Unfortunately, opportunity gives way to some unscrupulous sellers who deal in fakes,  forgeries and Unbelievable Overpricing of relics and so it is buyer beware.  A few common sense tips can help. 

     First, check the Holy Shrines yourself.  You have the internet.  Go to official Shrine sites.  There may be gift shops on line or call them.  Very often they will have a first class relic for a small donation including shipping of around 50 to 100 dollars and you will be sure of receiving an authenitic relic with documentation.  More often second class relics are available, also with documentation.  As an example, you can receive a beautiful Padre Pio relic encased in plastic (many have been sold on ebay )  The documentation, in Italian says, this relic was touched to glove of Padre Pio and the cost is approx 50 dollars donation for the reliquary-not the relic.

Available now is the Holy Relic of the Cassock of Our Holy Father Pope John Paul 11.  It is totally  free, but you may donate- which I recommend, whatever you please.  You must write to the Postulator of the Cause of Beautification of Pope John Paul 11 for which there is an Official Web Site.   This is a relic of a Cassock that Our Holy Father actually wore.  Google a search for the official site for his beautification.

Use common sense .  If you see a relic of for example, St. Joan of Arc, you know that she was burned at the stake, her remains thrown into the river.  The church has NO first class relics of St. Joan of Arc, NONE. So,  obviously if you see one, it is a fake. Second class relics are also extremely rare and it is not likely you would see one on ebay. Research Research Research !

Just because you see a document with a relic that does not insure that the relic is authentic.  We see the documents being sold separately on ebay all the time. Check the seal on the relic you are bidding on.  It must come from the order that the Saint belonged to. The symbol of the order would be on the seal.  Again Research ! Older seals which are cracked are a better bet and make sure the threads are in tact and look original. 

I hoped this will be helpful to my fellow Catholics. I certainly agree that ebay is doing a service to the faithful by making these holy relics available.  The early Christians carried the bones of the martyrs to strengthen them and in these days it is good that we do also.