Has anybody done this to guard against buying forgeries?

conor912 · #1 06-03-2013, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glchen

The problem with going to a reputed dealer is that there are very few who list their inventory at VCP. You will need to determine if you would be willing to pay the additional premium for that additional eye check and peace of mind.

Isn't that what slabbing is supposed to be?

glchen · #2 06-03-2013, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conor912

Isn't that what slabbing is supposed to be?

I think it's fair to say that even reputed dealers are human and can miss things. However, the more experts that look at it, the better.

the 'stache · #3 06-03-2013, 05:42 PM

Thanks for the responses. Most of you were quite helpful.

Keep them coming, guys. I'm always looking for more opinions.

conor912 · #4 06-03-2013, 06:50 PM

All in all, fakes will be infinitely easier to spot than trimming or other alterations and should be the least of a novice's worries, IMO.

Wymers Auction · #5 06-03-2013, 07:21 PM

Here is a piece of advice from my dealings in antiques which I believe would apply nicely here as well. If it makes you nervous and just not quite comfortable walk away. I am not saying this is the only tool you need in the toolbox, but paying attention to your gut will save you a lot of money. I have learned this and continue to learn this the hard way at times.

brob28 · #6 06-03-2013, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conor912

All in all, fakes will be infinitely easier to spot than trimming or other alterations and should be the least of a novice's worries, IMO.

Agreed!

thecatspajamas · #7 06-03-2013, 08:55 PM

Bill, your original premise is excellent, and if all collectors moving into a new area of collecting did something similar, there would be far fewer fraudsters lining their pockets at the expense of inexperienced collectors.

Buying the "cheap stuff" first and becoming familiar familiar with the new area you are moving into is excellent advice, regardless of whether you are dipping your toes into pre-war cards, vintage photographs, autographs, game-used, whatever. Some of the wisest advice I have heard went something like, "You're going to make mistakes early on, so isn't it better to make a mistake on a $5 purchase than on a $5k purchase?"

As with anything, the more you handle of the real thing (regardless of value), the easier it will be to recognize the fakes. The only thing I might add is, why stop with one cheap exemplar to compare to? Pick up 2 or 3 or 4, in different conditions, and then you've really got something to go from. Like I said though, I think you have a great approach, and are far less likely to be taken advantage of as you slowly edge into deeper waters than those who dive head first into the deep end before they've had their first swimming lesson.

Edited to add: I think it was David Cycleback who I'm quoting, though he may have been quoting someone else...?

the 'stache · #8 06-03-2013, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecatspajamas

Bill, your original premise is excellent, and if all collectors moving into a new area of collecting did something similar, there would be far fewer fraudsters lining their pockets at the expense of inexperienced collectors.

Buying the "cheap stuff" first and becoming familiar familiar with the new area you are moving into is excellent advice, regardless of whether you are dipping your toes into pre-war cards, vintage photographs, autographs, game-used, whatever. Some of the wisest advice I have heard went something like, "You're going to make mistakes early on, so isn't it better to make a mistake on a $5 purchase than on a $5k purchase?"

As with anything, the more you handle of the real thing (regardless of value), the easier it will be to recognize the fakes. The only thing I might add is, why stop with one cheap exemplar to compare to? Pick up 2 or 3 or 4, in different conditions, and then you've really got something to go from. Like I said though, I think you have a great approach, and are far less likely to be taken advantage of as you slowly edge into deeper waters than those who dive head first into the deep end before they've had their first swimming lesson.

Edited to add: I think it was David Cycleback who I'm quoting, though he may have been quoting someone else...?

Thanks, Lance. Good to know I'm on the right track.

I'll probably buy a few from each different set I plan on buying. It's something I can do now while I work on building my savings back up. It will satiate my desire to get vintage cards, and help me learn at the same time.

My eventual goal is to build a website specifically for baseball cards (including scans of my collection) where a lot of the information I assimilate can be passed on to others. There are a bunch of different sites I have found helpful information from, but not one clear "go to" site where this information is readily available without some digging. I know that Net 54 has pretty much everything I could ever need, but for somebody not familiar with how a forum's search works, it might be a little more difficult finding information.

conor912 · #9 06-03-2013, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecatspajamas

Bill, your original premise is excellent, and if all collectors moving into a new area of collecting did something similar, there would be far fewer fraudsters lining their pockets at the expense of inexperienced collectors.

Buying the "cheap stuff" first and becoming familiar familiar with the new area you are moving into is excellent advice, regardless of whether you are dipping your toes into pre-war cards, vintage photographs, autographs, game-used, whatever. Some of the wisest advice I have heard went something like, "You're going to make mistakes early on, so isn't it better to make a mistake on a $5 purchase than on a $5k purchase?"

As with anything, the more you handle of the real thing (regardless of value), the easier it will be to recognize the fakes. The only thing I might add is, why stop with one cheap exemplar to compare to? Pick up 2 or 3 or 4, in different conditions, and then you've really got something to go from. Like I said though, I think you have a great approach, and are far less likely to be taken advantage of as you slowly edge into deeper waters than those who dive head first into the deep end before they've had their first swimming lesson.

Edited to add: I think it was David Cycleback who I'm quoting, though he may have been quoting someone else...?

This is great advise.

Bill, PM me your address and I'll send you a couple 50's commons to get you started.

insccollectibles · #10 06-03-2013, 05:14 PM

There are plenty of slabbed fakes out there. You just have to be careful. My advice is to learn as much about the collection you are interested in and deal with reputable people at all times. This forum is great for advice as well. I was just introduced and have found it very useful.

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