Introduction

Hi, let me introduce myself. My name is Jon and my ebay username is twinscrew4 (I drive boats that often have 2 propellers). My eldest son started to collect and play Pokemon-cards and console games about 5 years ago and whilst I initially assumed that this was just another short lived childhood fad, to his credit ( and Nintendo's), pokemon is still dear to his heart.

My interest stems from being interested in my sons hobby's and from providing the funds that maintain the hobby, hence this brief guide to some of the issues and frustrations that I have come across with regard to fake pokemon cards.

A little bit goes a long way........................

Armed with a bit of background knowledge about Pokemon most of us can avoid the pitfalls associated with purchasing fake cards. Here are my suggestions

• There is no consistancy in the manufacturing process of fake Pokemon Cards. Every "set" has different flaws. So the differences that occour in fake "PowerKeepers" ( for example) may not be the same as in "Diamond and Pearl"

• Compare the listed card with other similar listed items. Not just once, do it a few times

The fake Flygon Ex 87/92 from Holon Phantoms on the LHS-vendor said that the "other" type of EX, was an "Ultra Holo"- whatever that means.

By simple comparison we can see that the LHS card is most certainly not a genuine Pokemon card

• Have a good look at the images displayed, sometimes they reveal more than the vendors description

The RHS non holo Team Aqua's Kyogre has straight corners and the image is not central on the card. Later comparison even shows the size discrepancy between the two. Real card underneath

One of the most sought after cards is Charizard. Take this image of three cards. LHS-non holo legendary, the only non holo Charizard in POP, from the Legendary Collection "Lava" Deck. RHS, Holo Charizard Base 2 but the central card is the fake. Non holo base 2- a bit of  asking around various reputable dealers brought this to light. Speaking of which, if in doubt of you cards authenticity hold it up to a bright light- fake cards are nearly transparent

This image, is of a mythical "Shadow Charizard". This card was deliberately created as a fake along with some other awsome looking cards. The person who created this card openly acknowledges this and was in no way associated with the ebay listing. However the image was copied by a far less scrupulous ebay vendor who was selling the work as "received in a shipment from Japan"( This card had me going for ages) Again ( and I must admit with a heavy heart) some background checking revealed that no such legitimate card exists. And to add salt into the wound, they were selling it as a possible win in a "Random Card Selection".

• Purchase from a reputable seller. 

• Check out the sellers Feedback

• Do they normally sell Pokemon? or is it a one off?-do they know what they are selling? ask them.

• What is the image like? Good focus? or something to hide?

The image on the LHS show a group of 5 Fake"Theme Decks" from Diamond and Pearl. Searching the internet and Ebay reveals a striking difference between fake and legitimate. Nintendo do not have decks of 31 cards ( 50- 61cards make a theme deck), Deck boxes are not numbered 281,282,283 etc, they have cool names like Inferno Zone, Royal Frost and Terra Firma. Lastly all legitimate theme deck boxes carry the image of Pokemon found in the actual set. Note in the LHS that Nuzleleaf is the only character shown that actually appears in Diamond and Pearl (and it is only a stage 1 evolution)

In my opinion the seller of the fake "theme Boxes" in the LHS image has purchased these from a stall vendor at a local market . This seems the way that most fake cards get into the system.

A quick word on "Shadowless" Pokemon cards

Shadowless pokemon cards, refer to the original release of the Base Set,  produced by Wizards of the Coast (WOTC in Poke-speak) in 1998. WOTC were contracted by Nintendo to make Pokemon cards, however, the first batch of Base Set and only Base Set, were deemed to lack colour and overall appeal. WOTC made a few changes and the cards have remained essentially the same since. Shadowless cards are rare and sought after.

Please check out the excellent Ebay Guide on   How to tell FAKE Pokemon cards   by Pokemon Center    for more on this subject  

To be continued....................................................