Hi... Ebay Bidders... Please, Oh, Please do a little research before you bid on your "Dream of a Life-Time"... "Antique/Vintage", Doll/Baby, Buggy/Carriage/Stroller on Ebay.
So many of these so called "Fine", "Antique", "right out of Grand-Ma's Attic" (sic), Buggies are **Brand New**, Wholesale, "Child Slave-Labor Made", Taiwan, Imports... **{like Item #310111905634}!.
Kudos to all of those Honest Dealers who mark their "new items" Correctly! Kudos to: #'s250358588780, 220346801889, 390025312630, 280304338789, 370144499295, 370130228566, 310116451885, 290290293818, 25035741-355. All Marketed Honestly!
But... Also See The Uh-Oh's! FAKERS!!!
#390035494790 (beware of the word "style"; especially if it is "out of normal grammatic order" in the Heading or the Description... the same rule applies to the word "new".}
#140294791130 (absolutely "hand-crafted" by "child-slave-labour in Taiwan!").
#380096851861 (Yikes... Please compare this Fake to "all other reproduction buggy photos!"... And Note the similarities).
#170294699661 (... "rare bedding?!?").
#310111905634 ("spurious" use of the word "new" along with the word "Victorian"... {do you Believe there Really is any "New Victorian?"}). If so I have a Victorian Bridge for sale...
#180321376921 (YIKES!).
And #'s... 270329181586, 120363129988, 1103370214, 300287580505.
Now... Maybe these Sellers were/are really fooled "by these fakes"... But that is no reason for us "Ebay Bidders/Buyers" to also be fooled!
There are always bunches of "Antique/Vintage" Buggies/Carriages/Prams/Strollers on ebay... See: {"antique, wicker, doll, baby, old, vintage"... "carriage, pram, buggy, stroller, cart"}. Learn to campare All of the Details in the Pictures!
Use your head... When you View Pictures that are "Basically" the Same... Pictures for a "So-Called Antique" and For A (properly listed) New/Reproduction... Then, No Matter What You May Think (or what the seller claims!)... The Buggies are Probably From The Same "Over-Seas Source!".
1). Notice the wheel hubs on a Fake/Reproduction {#140294791130} -or- On a properly listed piece {#390025312630... Kudos to this Honest Seller}. Antique buggy wheels were generally Not Made This Way! {looks a lot like "tinker toy" construction}.
2). Look at the "Wicker and its Color"! {nearly all reproductions, of this type, will look almost exactly the same "color-wise" {just slightly different styles and sizes}. Up-Date... Many of the Fakers are now Painting the buggies to further Fool ebay Bidder/Buyers!
3). Look at the black fabric "hood/bonnet/top"... Nearly every one has the "Same Fake Dust/Dirt" from the factory.
4). Look at the lace used on Other Styles of Fakes... Almost Always the Same in Design, Texture, Etc..
5). Look at the "Curl" where the "Push-Bar Handle" is attached... The only actual "Old Buggies" that I know of that have this "Curl" are Fresh, European, Imports... While, nearly Every One of the "New" "Antique" "Wholesale", buggies feature this distince "Curl".
American Carriages do not, as a general rule, ever have this "Curl"... {I suppose, if you want a Fresh European Import, they are o.k.... So Long As You Know What You Are Buying!?!}.
But, if you are going to Spend Good Money, and want to make a type of "Investment" for Your Hard Earned Cash... Why not choose to Purchase a Quality, Antique/Vintage, American, Piece?
{See... #'s 220344869611, 220344869862, 130281648638 (is missing its bonnet/hood/top), 370145844525, 380097107870 (is missing its bonnet/hood - in need of some wicker repair), 260348072082, 290290359694, 290290721317, 400022514498, 250356015534 ("under-carriage" is "smashed/bent down", needs some repair to wicker as well), 280302592738 (re-sell the 2 "newer dolls" on ebay -or- perhaps this "new seller" will "take an offer" just on this Great Buggy!, 180322224266, 350155684984 (probably an "Older European Import"), 290290729544... and #'s... 190277401301, 350127995780, 370147497136, 260345517806, 250351084725 {we have seen many Fakes go for this kind of money!}.
In my opinion... Doing a little "ebay research" "Before You Bid"; is part of the "fun of ebay fun"! Do Not be so easily dupped! Take just a little extra time... The Pictures "will tell the story"; if you Do Some Comparing and Examine Photos Carefully.
I think that if the seller will not answer questions... Or if the seller is very vague {"not sure how old it is" Is A "Vague Favorite" I Hear All The Time... Just a "Vague Way of Excusing Their Conscience" for lieing to you}... Or if shipping {on a "Doll Size Buggy" is over $25.00 - 60.00 or so}... Maybe you should not bid.
Please Remember: Some Antique/Vintage Buggies Are Costly to Ship! {due mainly to Greedy USPS/UPS/FedEx Increases... Some Can No Longer be Economically Shipped at all... {thus "Pick-Up Only"}. If shipping, in your opinion, seems too high... Then Respectfully ask about the Possibility of a lowered shipping rate {are they able/willing to do some minor dis-assembly? thus making the carton smaller?} ... -or- Ask about "Local Pick-Up" {if you are local or will be in their area} -or- "Just Don't Bid On This One"! Another Will Come Along!
Make sure to give "Good Sellers" a break... Buggies Are very tough to Pad, Package, and Ship Properly {for safe delivery to you}.
Believe me there are Ligitemate, Antique/Vintage, Buggy/Carriage/Stroller/Pram/Cart choices A-Plenty on ebay! Missing out on this One "Dream Buggy"; while you take a little extra time to do some research, may just be the "Happiest Mistake/Accident", you have, while buying on ebay, this year.
Just imagine, if you will, the Huge Distress that the "Happy Winner" of #170294699661 -or- #310111905634 -or- #380096851861 will go through when he/she visits a Gift/Souvenir Shop some where this summer and sees "20 Exact Replicas" of their "Rare Antique Dream Carriage" for sale for $7.95 - $37.95 ea.!?! {which is "Common Retail" at Cedar Point, 6 Flags, Sea World, Frankenmuth, Knotts Berry Farm, Disney Land/World, Epcott, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Etc., Etc.... (even less $$$ at ANY Florists "Wholesale Supply" Store in the Land?!?)}.
Why buy/bid-on one of these Brand New, Import, "Child Slave Labour Buggies"... When there are alway numerous, Actual Antique/Vintage Pieces Available? "If You Happen To Love The Looks Of An Import"; at least Buy From The Dealer Who Is Honest About What They Are Selling!!!
Why, oh why, Buy a Mass-Produced Reproduction: when the "Real Mc Coy" is to be found? Remember... Not All Antique/Vintage Carriages Need Repair... Some Are Mint!!!
So... Good Luck in '09' ... Have Fun!... Enjoy ebay... Find A "Good-One... Patty.
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