As the creation of scaled PVC figures has advanced over the years, eBay has become a haven for retailers selling cheap knock-offs of the real deal. Many of these figures look OK, and even great from the photos, but trust me, once you open the product, you'll see just how horrid these fakes really are! The defects seen with inauthentic are typically numerous, and the quality is not like what you would find in an authentic!
If you own quite a few authentic, then a fake will stand out to you like a sore thumb!
Don't let the statement "US Seller" bring your
guard down:
The last two fakes I received were direct from sellers here in the USA!
In my opinion, many retailers in the US are simply 100% ignorant
of the advancement of the black market, and others are simply greedy,
and willing to sell fakes to unsavvy fans.
In many cases they've acquired these fakes cheap via wholesale, and then raise the price to cut a large profit.
Which brings us to another note...
Even if the price is very high, you can still be purchasing a fake!
Do NOT let pricing fool you!!!! At this point many fake figures are just as expensive as the originals!
When in doubt, ask the seller questions about the listing and even for
closer/more photos.
If a seller is not willing to work with you on this, then they are not worth dealing with!
A price that's too good to be true should also set off red flags.
Speaking of product photos...
I've noticed many sellers using product photos taken from Yahoo
JP auctions, HobbySearch, collector photo pages, and other sources.
This isn't an indication that the item won't be real, but it's not very
honest.
Stock photos are often used as well, and those are fine, but...
You have no way of knowing if the photos are of what you are actually getting!
Be Careful!
A diamond in the rough:
There are honest people that do sell their rare authentic on auction, but...
If the figure has been sold out for months-years in Japan, yet you see
tons (not just a few) of cheap versions all over eBay: Red flag!
Fake packaging is looking much more like authentic packaging.
I've had a retailer argue that a fake HK version will be in a plain box, with no copyright or company info.
This is WRONG! Times have changed!
Bootleggers are now more shameless, and are using the same retail
boxes, complete with company info, phone numbers etc.
Japan has it's figures and packaging produced in China, so for black
market producers, acquiring this info is pretty easy.
The one item that does tend to be missing on fakes however, is
the seal or official authenticity sticker(s).
A close friend and retailer, (living in Japan) informed me that these
are applied by hand once the products reach Japan.
However, as of recent, bootlegs have been spotted with fake seals placed on the box in order to fool buyers!
Examples of fakes:
Here are a few (and only a few) examples of inauthentic products commonly listed on eBay:
Authentic photos are from HobbySearch
It's best to use sites such as these to help compare photos.
Figure blogs can also be a big help when looking for authentic photos!
Kotobukiya -Pia Carrot 3- Hasegawa Akemi Floral Mint type & Fuyuki
Miharu Floral Mint Type:
Fakes of these two often spotted on eBay as a set for very cheap.
Both fakes look horrid. Both sold out in 2004, and are out
of production!
Authentic: (click the photos below to see more detail)
Kotobukiya -Trista of the Deep Blue Sea- Nanoca Flanka (or Nanoka Franka) :
I had the misfortune to acquire this fake (via seller gundamit on eBay).
Her necktie is not attached at her blouse properly, her hair
covers one eye, colors are off and overall quality is poor!
Authentic: (click the photos below to see more detail)
Fake(L) & Authentic(R) Boxed side by side:
Kotobukiya -Mai Hime- Tokiha Mai:
Colors are darker, paint job is awful, sculpt is poor.
Authentic: (click the photos below to see more detail)
Fakes:
eb craft -Fate Stay Night- Saber
Fakes on eBay look different, and lack the official seal.
The manufacture
has a posted a warning page regarding
the fake!
-Girls Bravo- Miharu by Chara-ani:
This fake is rampant on eBay, and I can't begin to tell you how
truly horrible she really looks compared to the original!
I got this fake myself (via seller Keigohimo on eBay).
If you see the box without the round, Kodakawa sticker (bottom right of box), there's a very high chance
that it is FAKE!
Authentic:
Fake:
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t194/authenticfigurebox/Bootleg%20Figures/100_10441.jpg
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t194/authenticfigurebox/Bootleg%20Figures/100_10301.jpg
A short listing (with detailed descriptions of each) of other bootleg versions often sold on eBay:
Haruhi (Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu)
Kinu Nishimura Collection Cammy
Good Smile Company:
Kazami Mizuho Dessert time
Ichigo
Matsumoto Rangiku
Excellent Model Rukia & Kon
Excellent Model Abarai Renji
One Piece POP figures
Kotobukiya:
Tamaki Kousaka Dorimaga Original Limited
Tamaki Kousaka Ruffle Bikini Red/Black Ver
Kaiyodo:
Asahina Mikuru
Kasumi blue ver.
Alter:
Meg
Saber Swimsuit
Other makers:
(Daiki Kougyo) Tenshi San
(Solid Theater) Banana is a Snack?
(Toy Works) 1/8 Shana Contract of Fate Ver
(Toy Works) 1/8 Shana Flame Haze Ver
(Clayz) Saber White Swimsuit
Recap on things to look out for:
*Very Poor Paint quality
*Poor sculpt & craftsmanship
*Colors that differ, when compared to several photos of the authentic original product
*Box colors and print quality that differ
*Official seals, and stickers missing
*Prices that are too good to be true (sometimes this can be a factor, sometimes not)
*Figure completely sold out in Japan, yet all over eBay!
A message to sellers:
I think keeping the customer's trust should be the utmost important
part running a good business.
When you sell fakes of any kind, you run the risk of losing that
trust!
If you get an authenticity complaint, please do
look into it before making rash assumptions! Make certain you
are getting your products from trusted sources.
After having a few bad experiences with fakes, I personally will no longer trust a seller with even ONE fake!
To Consumers:
If you know you've purchased a fake, it's best to kindly inform the seller, return the item, and get your money
back!
Letting the issue go is why so many fakes stay on eBay! Use
the feedback system correctly! Don't give a positive fb
if you were not satisfied!!
Consumers have to do their part as well =D
Lastly:
Buying from reputable licensed merchants may soon be the only way to ensure that the figure you receive is 100% authentic!
If you must, ask the merchant what distribution company they get their figures from, and for proof of distribution!
http://www.kotous.com/?page_id=1834
Official South American Figure Distributors:
http://www.kotous.com/?page_id=1835
Europe & Australia:
http://www.kotous.com/?page_id=1832
Asia:
http://www.kotous.com/?page_id=1833
All Regions (via Goodsmile Company):
http://www.goodsmile.info/overseas/overseas.html
More authentic distributors are out there, and I will add them as I find more information.
I hope this guide is helpful for all serious figure collectors!
For more informative discussion of fake PVC figures or figures and anime in general please visit: Zero-Type Forums