How do you avoid fakes on ebay?

[murmur]

I ask this just out of curiosity.

I read in McKeown's that fake Leicas are a real problem. I'm not a Leica collector myself, but knowing this sure does scare me away from ever bidding on one in an online auction. So I was just wondering, what do Leica collectors do about this? Are you able to identify a fake without touching it, or do you simply avoid buying online? Or do you just risk it?

Murray

 

[doubs43]

Murray, your best defense against fakes is knowledge. Study genuine Leicas and also the cameras most likely to be used as the basis for a fake. Handle as many as possible and learn what to look for. The devil is in the details and knowing exactly what to look for is your first line of defense. Then look at the seller and their record. Ask questions and for an examination period with right of return if it's not as it's supposed to be.

Sellers, OTOH, also need to exercise caution as buyers have been known to purchase an item, replace good parts with bad from a camera they already own and then demand a return and refund.

If the item gets into serious money, I'd want to be able to examine it firsthand before buying. Or, if that's impractical, I'd ask someone I trusted to do the examination. It pays to be careful.

Walker

 

[RObert Budding]

I buy large items from reputable dealers, such as KEH. For auctions, I try to buy from sellers with a lot of positive feedback but, even so, I have been burned a few times - let's see, there was the "mint lens with separated elements, and the closeup lens with fungus.

Robert

 

[RML]

The fakes usually occur with the older Leica models like the Leica II and III. The fakes are usually made from early FEDs and Zorkis and once you know where to look the fakes are rather easily detected. Find yourself some photos of the Leica II and III models and compare them with the FED 1 and Zorki 1 models. Then hunt eBay for fake/copy Leicas. Especially the Nazi/Luftwaffe copies are a hoot and give you examples of what to expect.

I've never seen a fake Leica M, unless it must have been a non-original black paint one.

 

[jaapv]

Good advice I would like to add: know your serial numbers and and don't be greedy. If it is too cheap it is 99% certain to be a fake. Btw. good feedback on e-bay can be hijacked as well.....

 

[Pherdinand]

The easiest to avoid fakes is not to browse e-bay LOL