This was originally posted to eBay by antibootleganimefigure as a guide, but I feel the information only reaches a small amount of buyers so I'm re-posting it here:
When I wrote this bootleg figure
blog, the intent was to give buyers the basic signs that can help them spot a
fake.
However, over the last few months, I've noticed that many new collectors have
been misusing this information, and assuming every tiny
flaw on their figures means they have a fake!
Please keep in mind, that these figures are factory-made, mass produced
products, and that no toy will ever be 100%
flawless and perfect!
Authentic figures can have flaws!
Even legitimate retailers will tell you this!
At the bottom of each figure page on Hobby Link Japan's shop, you will see:
Note: Please note that figures such as this are mass produced and as
a result some inconsistencies in finish and painting may occur; these are not
considered manufacturer's defects. If you absolutely must have perfection,
prepare to do some touch-up work on your own.
Sometimes scaled PVC will have an odd paint chip here or there, seam/mold lines
that show, or a smudge, but you cannot just assume a figure is fake based on a
few flaws!
There are even a few authentic figure manufactures, which just make poor
products, so research before you buy a figure!
Also, please be aware that not ALL figure makers use authenticity
stickers/seals!
No sticker on your figure box does not automatically equal a fake!
If you plan to dispute a seller or store about a fake figure, then you need to
have evidence backing up your claim!
The figures that are featured in my blog were carefully compared against
several different sets of authentic photos.
I did not just assume the figures were fake based on flaws.
Through much research we have found that fakes are smaller than their authentic
counterparts, and at times they even weigh more or less than the
originals.
A lot of work goes into spotting, and it is not as simple as finding a few
things wrong.
If you are a buyer of gachapon, trading figures, prize goods, and other toys
that have a cheap retail price, you may get a low quality figure!
Flaws, seam lines, and poor paint on one of the above figures may not be an
indicator that your figure is fake!!
These figures are NOT on the same quality level as scaled PVC!
If you want better quality figures, then you will need to move up to more
expensive scaled PVC or Statues.
Also, older/vintage toys tend to be of a different type of quality.
The creation process for older toys was not as advanced, as it is now.
You cannot compare the quality of a figure you got, that was made back in 1999,
to the quality of figures now in 2009!