That is the question..rule of thumb anytime you are buying something that the Seller claims is haunted or from an Estate Sale..chances are it isn't! (check Sellers past f/b or better yet check Sellers other auctions see if what you are buying/bidding on is listed more then once only in differenmt colors and or sizes) So be sure you really want that piece! Whenever I go online and browse ebay looking for my favorite things I always make sure I find something I like I mean really like..if it's from an estate great! If it's haunted that's a plus too! But my hopes aren't up about any auction.. I recently rediscovered my love for antique or antique looking jewelry..I told my love I wanted a cameo ring real bad..problem is I'm allergic to yellow gold as is my Partner every ring we found was yellow gold..we searched ebay and found a Seller selling "estate jewelry" she happened to have a "estate sterling silver cameo ring" for sale..I was excited..we bid and won..it came at a fair price..I knew by the price it was probably not from an estate sale..come on an estate piece that starts out at only .99..I bid and won that was all I cared about..now the only way I'l be angry about this sale is if it turns out not to be sterling silver and I end up with a green finger..to protect myself I always request the Sellers contact info from ebay then I follow up via the proper channels, by doing that I ensure myself with the Sellers info incase I have to file complaints and possibly charges for internet fraud I also let the Seller know by doing that I wont take being cheated sitting down!..Buyers, if you have been duped don't say "oh woe is me" then walk away. File complaints not just with ebay either, go to online internet fraud alerts and complaints centers...too many Sellers on ebay get away with cheating their customers..one Seller actually gets away with listing auctions for $3 or less then hikes up his shipping coz he  can't be charged listing fees by ebay for the shipping..he also does not deliver alot of times and it appears the more you win the more $ he cheats you out of! Just keep in mind only bid/buy something if you really want the item. Whether it's really an estate piece or haunted should be your second thought!!