The online auction house, ebay, is a wonderful place. I buy and sell there all the time. I recommended it highly. But as with all good things, the old motto "Let the Buyer Beware" is especially applicable. Here are a few warnings:
1. If the seller does not describe a photo as vintage, original, or in similar words, it is probably a reproduction. There is nothing wrong with buying reproductions of course, I buy and sell them myself. But do not pay a high price for a photo thinking you are getting a vintage original unless the seller specifically describes it as such. Ask if you are unsure.
2. All photographs are pictures, but not all pictures are photographs. If the seller does not specifically describe a picture as a photograph, you could get anything. Ask for details before bidding.
3. If you are bidding on an old magazine, e-mail the seller in advance and ask if it smells musty, is water stained, is missing pages, or if it has any other defects. I have had more disasters buying magazines than any other category of merchandise.
4. If the seller does not state specific shipping charges in the item description, ask what they are before bidding. Else be prepared to learn how expensive "shipping & handling" can get.
5. And finally, you are on your own in eBay Land! Winning bidders are not always the real "winners" in a shaky transaction. And know in advance that if there is a problem, eBay may NOT help you out.
Recommended sellers - I have dealt happily with all of them:
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YoungCelebrities (Me! A wide variety of young celebrity collectables)
Showbizkids (Specializes in show business kids)
Photoman88 (Mostly vintage photos with occasional young stars)
Poppy1 (Mostly vintage postcards with some young stars)
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Please bookmark Classic Movie Kids before moving on to ebay. New material will be added regularly.
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