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Collecting a Piece of Entertainment History

By Barbara Crews, About.com Guide

6 of 8

eBay - - Be Careful!

Several studios have authorized dealers who sell their props on eBay and at times you can get a great buy on these auctions. And occasionally a real gem will be offered on the auction site that is from a private seller.

But beware!

Castillo estimates that up to 50 - 70% of the auctions on eBay may be fake and fraudulent.

Also watch out for those items showing up on these auctions that are actually off the shelf pieces (that anyone can buy), such as generic salt and pepper shakers. If you buy something like that and later doubt the authenticity, how do you prove it's a fake or for that matter how do you prove it's real?

When an item is a generic background piece, it's often just put back on the warehouse shelves to be used in other films.

Remember a COA is easily fabricated.

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