Time and again it is on eBay.  That one rare jar you have to have and what a starting price!  Here is a short list of things for you to jot down and tape to your computer to remind you of what to look for BEFORE you spend crazy amounts of money of the plentiful fakes:

1. DO NOT OMIT THIS STEP!  Look your piece up in a collectors guide!  Look at the pictures, study them.  It is important to have a guide or two showing pictures of the items you want and their markings.  You might invest in 2 or 3 books.  You can get secondhand books cheap. Try eBay, or other sites for books, even older ones have pictures and info.

2. Are the pieces the exact same colors?

3. Are they painted identical such as eyes, hands, and details?

4. Is the mark correct?  (Mc Coy didn't make it if it isn't listed as a McCoy in the book!) 

5. Is the condition too good to be true?  Is it the correct finish? Dirty bottoms can be made in minutes.

6. Is the height EXACTLY as the book states?  Fakes will be smaller._UPDATE** The fakers have found a way to make up the shrinkage loss, so continue researching with the other steps!

7. Is the jar light?  Ask how much it weighs.  Old jars are heavy!  they weren't lightweight.  Don't be fooled by shipping amounts, ask!  You can weigh some of your own old ones to get an idea. _FAKERS will also use extra slip to make a jar heavy now, do not use this as a deciding factor alone!

8. Does this seller offer money back on reproductions?

9. Would you spend this kind of money on a fake?

10. Is this a private auction?  (if it is a private auction, forget it!)  The purpose of a private auction is so the rest of us can't warn you to retract your bid on a fake!)  Private Auctions are going to be a thing of the past per eBay.

11. Is their feedback private?  Why would it be?  Because they don't want you to be discouraged from buying their fakes!

12. What else are they selling?  15 of the same salt shakers?  Check their feedback and previous ended auctions and become aware of your seller and their merchandise!  If they deal in the same items over and over, where are they so lucky to find them all? 

13. Is it listed as ORIGINAL, ANTIQUE, or VINTAGE?   look for these words.  don't fall for the little old lady bit.

 I hope this list will be printed and taped to your computer screen and remind you to bid smarter. You may contact me with questions at any time.

PLEASE VOTE IF THIS HAS HELPED YOU IN ANY WAY!  We want others to help stop the spread of repro's flooding the market!