The purchase of a Violin or other stringed instrument was once a matter of trust and reputation. I have studied, performed, and taught violin since the age of 8, which now approches a period of over 40 years. The first thing one one would do in the past when inspecting a violin as a possible purchase was to look inside the right side F Hole and review the label.But today it must be stated as buyer beware!!! Many unscupulous sellers, including the highly shopped independent Stings Only Stores, not selling their products on Ebay have become dealers in White Violins. 
1. Label fraud - I learned about this the hard way, and although it is fraud by no other name, it is not illegal or even considered unethical - that is, in the opinion of sellers and with dealers who are aware of the evolution of this phenomena. Retracing my shopping trip demonstrates what others should be aware of when purchasing an instrument. A.) Prior to the theft of my instrument I had purchased a nice sounding instrument from a lcoal "Rental Instrument" retailer intending to offer it to a student some day. The label was that of a "Student Instrument" distributor in the U.S., and merely stated "Made for X Strings Company". As a prerequisite of public school instructors I was able to  repair often occuring and problematic conditions that arise with instruments used by students. The need to realign the sound post on this violin did not require an experienced Luthier or Violin repair person. As I inserted my soundpost tool through the right side F Hole I found the label was coming loose. As I curiously pulled on the loose corners, I found what appeared to be a second label under the dealers label. And, in fact, a first label was under what I thought to be the original label. Using both surgical instruments, and a small steamer I removed the top label to find the label of a respected Romanian Violin Maker of handmande "Student" grade instruments. But when I asked dealers about this they were not the least bit surprised, and claimed it was a common day practice.
Times have changed, no longer can labels be trusted. So how is an advancing student, or parent of an advancing student to know when to beware and when to question a label.
2. Made for: or, By the Shop of: Labels - A visit to a real Violin Shop was equally alarming. Their instruments started at a price of $1,000.00. I was lead to a plush room with multiple instruments on the walls, and the vapor of fresh turpentine (actually fresh stain varnish) took my breath away during the 10 minutes I tried 3 instruments ranging in price from $1200-$5000.00. All labeled with A.) The name of the shoppe, and B.) A model name, and surprisingly C). A By:XX, Master Violin Maker,For: __, or By:The shop of XX, For:__. As an  experinced violin player, now a "Newbie" shopping for a quality instrument, I asked other violin players and sellers throughout the U.S. what labels today actually indicate. Master Violin makers traditionally did not put a retail or shop dealers name on their labels, nor had they used the marketing tactic of "Models" when labeling their craft. Most of the reputable sellers of stringed instruments willingly explained how many of the instruments sold today are made. Most important to unexperienced buyers are the following revelations:

• Multiple Apprentices and Violin Maker Shops - One acceptable change in the making of Violins  is the use of apprentices to make fine instruments under the supervision of a Master Violin Maker. However, it is important to understand that the few Violin Making Schools in the U.S. require 3-4 years of study.  Schools only certify students that produce a significantly high quality hand made instrument, judged by a jury.  Juried reviews of Hand made instruments demonstrating a high level of  proficiency of quality is required prior to conferring a diploma or certification. Regardless of the coursework completed, "Certified" Violin Makers must indicate a significantly high level of proficientcy before a Certificate is conferred. Many times multiple recitals delay a students graduation after the completion of all required coursework. Thereafter, once Certified, Master Violin Makers can begin to make and sell handmade instruments and build reputations and clients, or, in this modern day period hire helpers and, "in a production line fashion begin producing violins, and label them as made by a Master Violin Maker. When shops are limited to advanced apprentices, and daily supervised by Master Violin Makers, quality instruments  priced from $1000.00 to $5000.00 can be trusted to be of  high quality. However, modern day trade with industrialized countries not historically assoicated with MasterViolin Makers, has introduced  WHITE VIOLINS, to substitute for those made by high skilled apprentices supervised daily by Master Violin Makers. 
• Beware of instruments passing through 3 seperate shops, each with mere assemby line workers. These instruments are often subsequently labeled by a Master Violin Maker, or By the Shop of: type label with a Master Violin Maker's name.
• Violin Factories - "The Advent of Violin Factories" - Today a Violin factory may supply Violins parts in various stages of completion.  These factories may not have even  1 highly qualified apprentice. Factories may incorporate processes of automated crafting parts of a stringed instrument with factory workers as monitors. Templates of Stradivarious or Guirarni Violins can actually be purchased by the ambitious hobbiest from E-Bay sellers. Templates can then be replicated using mechanical automation to create parts for finished violins. They can also be computer imaged using modern day CAD drafting programs that automate the machinery cut the parts of a violin. Factory workers merely monitor the process. It is highly possible that the only hand-made crafting of these instruments is the sanding of rough or burred edges.
• Actual "Glue Factories" - Once a place for animals, it is a modern day reality for many Stringed Instruments. Previously cut instrument parts are shipped world-wide for completion by smaller shops, or in larger production line shops. Prior to shipment to sellers, the "Hand-Crafting" of many instruments is limited to glueing larger pre-cut parts together, with possibly some planeing, referenced as Reduction of the Top & Back parts of the instrument.
• Paint Factories -This final stage, can be equally completed by mere factory workers. However, high quality instruments are completed by Master Violin Makers specializing in "Varnish Finishes". Paint Factories referenced herein use commercial Vanish to Color the instrument; offered with Antiqued Apperance Finishes. The Violin then receives a heavy coat of polyurtherene or High Gloss Finish prior to their sale. This last stage often involves either applying labels of puesdo-named Master Violin Makers (closely sounding or appearing as renowned makers). At times, however these actually are labels of  Master Makers contracted for "Quality Control Checks" or "Spot Checks" during one or all of these stages, in exchange for allowing their labels to be placed on the instrument. The fact must be acknowledged that entrepenuership has been embraced in today's world of Violin Making by some individuals.
  

It is these beautiful shiney instruments many buyers fall prey to, with claims of being handmade, labeled by a master craftsman, and even claimed as vintage instruments. I know, I was one. What did I do when the long awaited shipment arrived and I found a polyurtherene glazed, laser cut factory Violin. It was guaranteed for 10 days, but to ship it back to its origination would cost $125.00 and, and only with a successful return would I receive a refund. But would I have to go through a dispute resolution? How long would I need to wait? Even with the protections of PayPal I was better off from a lesson learned; a lesson that an experienced buyer had to learn. I herein attempt to prevent others from learning the hard way. Thus I developed this Guide.  I did buy a quality instrument that passed from one maker to another, and it's worth 3 times what I paid, a friend I will cherish for life. What's the difference, upfront honesty by the dealer prior to purchase and the fact only master craftsmen were involved in its evolution. While shopping Again I was given 2 opportunities for a 10 day trial with no obligation by two dealers, dealers that willfully accepted the returns and offered alternatives. Dealers that within 24 hours released all claims to my credit card or PayPal account, allowing me to continue shopping. So, what should one look for, other Guides explain the quality of the wood that makes for a quality sounding instrument. But it is worth a simple restatement, as well as, additional short-cuts that are often used and may not be discovered until well after the return or waranty period.

1. Look closely - How are the views of the pictures of the instrument provided, can you see all angles for inspection? Read the description of the wood. Always remain ready to pass on any instrument that does not state the top is Spruce and the back is Maple. Solid Maple Backs - Always ask, "So What?", as stated in other guides if it is kilm dried, or not aged as indicated by heavy tiger stripes, regardless of the fact it is solid the instrument will sound like a tin box. What more is said about the top, other than Spruce. Do they explain where it came from. Their are many forests that are favored for the Spruce wood that is used in making Stringed Instruments. Do they tell you of the origins of the Spruce, how long it was stacked or aged? Pass on the instrument if all that is stated is the fact the top is Spruce.
2. Beechnut necks - It may have an ebony fingerboard, but what is the fingerboard applied to? What is used to attach the end of the instrument to the body. Remember, the tension required to tune the stings on a violin is massive. It is the neck that must connect these strings and the body to the tuning pegs. How thick is the ebony, the pictures should indicate more than a thin layer of ebony, and the neck should be described by the type of wood it is made from. Do the pictures show the body and the scroll but fails to allow side views of the neck and fingerboard. Regardles of what is said about the material used for the fingerboard, do they show it to you?
3.Shiney and Pretty - An oil based, well stained instrument that to both seals, and at the same time, allows the wood to breath, provides stringed instruments  the ability to evolve during a "break in" period. The true sound of a stringed instruments evolves the longer an instrument is played. Don't purchase a really shiney and pretty instrument simply for that reason. Read again, is it evident that the varnish is really varnish. How is the finish described? If it relies on the pictures and uses the pictures as a "hard sell" tactic, by consistently stating the pictures reveal the quality of the instrument without actually stating what kind of finish is used and how it is applied PASS!!!
4. Use the Ratings - This does not mean reviewing how many satisfied buyers a seller has accumalated. Move over to the right and check out the sale numbers. How many of the same instrument have they sold over and over. Do they all say the same thing? Do they all look alike? If so ask yourself how handmade instruments all look the same. Check the "Sellers other Items". How many more identical instruments do they offer"? Are all the instruments sold, and all in their store look identical, with the same description offered as a template to appear which you click on to the item. Ask yourself how these could be handmade by Master Violin Makers.
5. Ugly Violins - STOP! LOOK! and READ! Old ugly violins may be diamonds in the rough. Minor cracks well described, and repairs already made and explictly shown in the pictures are signs of honesty, as well as, an opportunity to purchase a well seasoned and long after cherished sounding instrument. A seller of an estate simply thru one in that was determined to ugly to sell on one of my purchases. The older "Less Ugly" instrument I purchased was just what I paid for, but the "really ugly" instrument was, in fact, as seldom found "Red Violin", instruments that are notorious for aging badly in appearance, while having a wonderful and sought after sound.
6. Missing Parts - STOP! LOOK! READ! If a seller is honest enough to offer an instrument without strings, and a bridge, read more. If the cracks are not long and running along the right side where the E string is located above the soundpost, click on the pictures if your computer has the capacity and "Save As" and place the pictures in a "My Pictures" or "My Documents" folder. Print these pictures and take them to a local Luthier, or violin repairman. If he works for a local dealer don't tell him where they came from, for all he knows they may be part of an estate settlement. Strings and a Bridge and even a Chinrest are quite inexpensive, even when the old ugly instrument is "Set Up" by an experienced Luthier when compared to the price you pay or bid successfully, if the sound of the past, and that of a well matured instrument will evolve. Ugly often is Good, and most always a sign of honesty and an equally inexperienced seller merely using Ebay for its best purposes, buyers and sellers of items coming together using the technology of the modern day.
7. Assertive Questions - I have used the email the seller option of Ebay to send the seller a concise but complete set of pointed questions. To date, when a seller is asked where and how the instrument is made, all have returned my inquiry with honest answers. The integrity of Ebay allows nothing less, and to not answer an email during the period of a sale, or to send a fraudulent answer is indeed enough to save and send to Ebay's dispute resolution department. I know this works, remember the first unforunate purchase I made, well that seller is no longer an Ebay seller and it was not because he was out of factory made assembly line and painted instruments.

Eventhough instructors do not enough time to aid each student that needs to move up to a purchased instrument, they can take time to look at pictures or review "Captured" and printed offers for sales. Most often they use an independent Lutheir or Violin repair person that can offer an opinion if they are not comfortable in making a recommendation.