DON'T BE FOOLED BY SELLERS USING QUESTIONABLE SALES TACTICS -

BE CAREFUL!

~ SOME SO-CALLED STAFFORDSHIRE PORCELAIN / POTTERY OFFERED on EBAY is NOT AUTHENTIC VINTAGE or ANTIQUE STAFFORDSHIRE ~

HOW TO IDENTIFY FAKE STAFFORDSHIRE POTTERY 

An important warning to buyers:

Sadly, there are numerous sellers on eBay who claim their items are something they are not.  If you want junky, cheap pieces of FAKE STAFFORDSHIRE PORCELAIN (including vases and bowls and bookends and Dogs and other items), you will find these inferior Chinese items offered on eBay.

TO HELP YOU IDENTIFY FAKE STAFFORDSHIRE ITEMS ON EBAY, HERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT CLUES AND CHARACTERISTICS TO LOOK FOR:

~> Authentic Vintage and Antique STAFFORDSHIRE Vessels have distinct artistic designs and subtle colors

~> Fake STAFFORDSHIRE Pieces often have gaudy bright colors and rounded edges because they were created in Molds 

~> Real Staffordshire was Intricately and Precisely Handcrafted

~> Phony Staffordshire is Made in a Mold and has Crude Characteristics with Poor Definition  

 ===> Most of the sellers offering fake Staffordshire list these fake items under the category "Staffordshire" and almost always include the word "VINTAGE" or "VICTORIAN" or "BRITISH" or "OLD" in their Titles and/or Descriptions - trying to fool you.  These tactics are against eBay rules!

===> You will also see some of these sellers offering multiples of the item - the same item over and over - with the exact same photographs.  Be smart and check the seller's previous listings.  If you see that he/she has sold the exact same item before - with the exact same photos - BEWARE!  Please note that multiples of the same piece will almost certainly be those poorly made Chinese vessels - not authentic old Staffordshire!  A real Staffordshire item is one of a kind - not mass produced! 

===> Some of the fake Staffordshire listings include a section about the history of Staffordshire.  Such blather is intended to make you think the item is real Staffordshire when, in reality, it is not -- the item is usually made in China. Unfortunately, this practice shows that some sellers purposely choose to take advantage of buyers, by offering misrepresented items at prices that are, actually, too good to be true. 

===> Did you ever notice that, and wonder why, so many of these questionable sellers are offering the exact same items?  These vessels are not authentic! 

===> In discount and bargain shops all over the United States, you can find many of these MADE in CHINA fake Staffordshire items for prices starting at $5, or less.  These mass-made, cheap, poor quality items are NOT authentic. 

===> Unfortunately --- You may even see fake Staffordshire advertised to the right of this warning.  Be careful! 

===

Be Careful --- Don't be duped by sellers who use highly questionable practices

IT TAKES EXPERIENCE TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REAL Staffordshire ITEMS AND BAD REPRODUCTIONS

Real Staffordshire was Expertly Executed - with Fine Details, Superb Colors and Elegant Quality Characteristics.  Pieces from China are often crudely made and lack finess.  They are poorly made copies - created to deceive you. 

CLOSELY EXAMINING AND HANDLING MANY PIECES WILL HELP YOU IDENTIFY REAL ITEMS FROM FAKE ITEMS.  EVENTUALLY YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THE GREAT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THEM - EVEN IN PHOTOS.

PLEASE KNOW THAT THERE ARE ALSO AUTHENTIC ROSEVILLE ITEMS ON EBAY - AND HONEST SELLERS WHO OFFER REAL Staffordshire PIECES AT REALISTIC PRICES.

 PS:  When you read this Guide, notice how many people will vote that this Guide is helpful, or not.  If you see a lot of "not helpful" responses, this Guide is fulfilling its purpose.

Question:  Who do you think has likely seen this Guide, and claimed it was "not helpful?" 

Answer:  Could it be those very sellers who pretend to sell real Staffordshire, but are actually selling inferior ceramics made in China?  You be the judge...   

A KNOWLEDGEABLE BUYER IS A SMART BUYER

Copyright 2006 The Winged Phoenix