How to NOT Buy Fakes - Collector's Guide

[Nota Bene]

This guide is SO old, I can't believe I actually wrote it...

Alexei

[Henry Sakaida]

This guide is SO old, I can't believe I actually wrote it...

Alexei

It has stood the test of time! The principles and common sense are timeless.

And it's better to learn from other peoples' mistakes because you learn a valuable lesson for free, at the sucker's expense!

I've been a sucker myself! I bought an Order of Lenin at a gun show 25 years ago for $100 (!!) and the guy assured me that it was real! That's how dumb I was!!! Don't buy anything from a stranger when you don't know anything about what you are buying! If you are going to lay down serious cash, you better study what you are buying seriously and read Note Bene's advice!!!

[CtahhR]

Time will make fools of us all.....

[Nota Bene]

I am not suggesting that it should be deleted, but it has reminded me of the good old times, when everything was MUCH less complicated.

Alexei

[CtahhR]

Things are pretty simple now too. Everything has been, can be and will be faked for a profit.

Awards, Paperwork, Research, Uniforms - all been faked.

Then again, there is more information out there on what is real.

[Nota Bene]

No, things are far from simple these days. Quality of fakes has improved tremendously, especially in the last couple of days. In some cases it takes me weeks to research an award before I can authenticate it or not. I have not seen a perfect fake yet, but some came pretty close. Please believe me, it's very bad!

Alexei

[CtahhR]

I mean it is simple in never taking anything for granted. Being "certain" the item you are interested in is never faked will certainly complicate matters.

[Nota Bene]

Yeap, that will never change.

Alexei