Always Think Twice if……
…An item appears too cheap! Often one of the best indicators to an items authenticity is how much it costs. Do some research and find comparable prices and values from different sources. you can do a reverse search on eBay (check ADVICE on here for tips) or check through past sales at other auction houses. If the seller or dealer you are considering buying from is selling a piece at below market value ask yourself why? Why would a dealer who claims to have knowledge in the field be offering a hard to find item at below what you would expect, when he could easily move the item on at auction or to another dealer at a higher price? As an Autograph dealer myself i often see dealers offering fully signed items by A list bands such as Pink Floyd or the Beatles at way below the price you would expect at any decent auction, but people still buy them without thinking or doing an research at all.
Its best to avoid Dealers/Sellers that are hard to contact. Maybe no legitimate business address, only an eBay ID, or a reluctance to give out phone numbers or further contact details? If the seller has a website then you should check the sellers “contact us” page to see exactly where they are located and find their full address and contact details first? These details are required by UK consumer law, so you need to ask yourself why some dealers omit these important details from their websites.
Always check out a dealer website that makes unsupported claims about their autograph expertise and those that say we have had “20 years working behind the scenes in the music industry” without being able to prove it (and a few grainy images with a couple of B list personalities is not proof). If a dealer claims to have 20 years in the business, then other dealers will also know them, and they are likely to be members of some association or other.
Be wary of ebay or internet auctions unless you really do your research or are an experienced buyer, eBay is completely unregulated and some auction houses (not the ones listed on here) make no checks on authenticity.
Be very wary if you find your ideal photograph in perfect condition that is un-dedicated and beautifully signed in Sharpie pen in the cleanest area. Forgers will often have the exact signed photo that you are looking for, so always remember that old saying, if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is!