General Tips/Tricks

Last Update:  7/16/14

Here are some general tips and tricks that I've learned while shopping online (particularly at eBay where bootlegs are more commonly found).  Before I list all of my tips, though, here is the number one thing to keep in mind:

ALWAYS RESEARCH THE ITEM/SELLER BEFORE MAKING A PURCHASE!

The below tips can help you ascertain if an item is a bootleg, but they're not fool proof.  You should still research before disregarding an item completely lest you miss out on a great deal.

For example, you may find an authentic item that has a really cheap price, and is much cheaper than what other sellers are selling it for.  If you disregard the item immediately without doing any research, you may miss out on a good deal.  However, if you take your time and carefully research the item, you may learn that it is authentic and score it for a great price!

With that said, I recommend using the below tips as "red flags."

1.  Beware of any seller from China/Hong Kong.  Many bootlegs come from these places, and I'm guessing that's due to China being a major manufacturer of many merchandise (even Japanese merchandise).

2.  Be suspicious of any "cheap" prices.  If the item you want is cheaper than compared to the average price that other sellers are selling it for, there's a good chance that it's a bootleg.  This is especially true for a "buy it now" item (as opposed to an auction item).

3.  Look carefully at the seller's images.  Bootlegs are designed to look like their authentic counterparts so that they will attract buyers.  However, bootlegs are rarely so meticulously manufactured that you can't tell if it is authentic or if it's a bootleg.

4.  Check the box (if applicable).  Many Japanese companies put stickers on their boxes to show their authenticity, and bootleggers often do not.  (Note:  Keep in mind that some sellers may have boxes that don't have stickers for some reason.  Also, not all companies put stickers on their boxes.)

5.  Beware of anything that says the item is the "Chinese version."  There may actually be a Chinese version (other fans/collectors would be helpful to determine if this is the case), but it may also be a fancy way of saying it's a bootleg.