| Fakes & frauds Authentic antique may not be As with any "hot" collectibles or antiques market, fakes and frauds are also well-represented in the world of John Deere memorabilia.
Every day, all around the world, a John Deere collector is scammed out of an extra buck or two (hundred) by a fake item, a dishonest seller, or a combination of the two. Unfortunately, deliberate deception is the primary problem. While we’d like to think that no one in their right mind would bother with the painstaking patience needed to recreate a watch fob, alarm clock, marble, or other piece — the sad truth is, some folks just have more free time on their hands than the rest of us. And as they say, "idle hands are the devil’s workshop." This usually results in the creation of unauthorized antiques, namely a fake, fraud, phony, repro, or rip-off. No matter what you call it, you’d hate to be one of the suckers who pay big bucks for something bogus. Granted, not all fakes bought and sold on the collectibles market are done so knowingly. Many antique dealers and individuals honestly believe in the authenticity of the piece they’re selling. A few of them even have a detailed story to accompany a piece, seemingly ensuring authenticity. However, as we all know, a great story does not guarantee the value of anything! In hunting for collectibles, the challenge comes in identifying that which is not authentically antique. The best way to shop safely is to do your homework first. In all reality, you won’t always have time to play Super Sleuth before buying something you stumble across. Sometimes you may have to decide "fake or find" within 30 seconds. It’s times like this that keeping your cool…and your checkbook in your pocket…make good sense (& cents)! According to Kurt Aumann, nationally-known ag antiques auctioneer of Aumann Auctions, "Your first intuition is almost always right…if you initially suspect it, something is probably wrong." In other words, if something smells fishy (or foul), it probably is! How can you know for sure? Well, you can’t be certain every single time, but a little research and a lot of common sense can go a long way in saving your precious pocketbook from becoming a target for thieves. How dating can help you avoid being duped Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself (and your pocketbook) by determining what’s genuine so you don’t get gypped. Even gullible guys and gals can benefit from a little basic analysis and investigation like this:
Whether you’re in it purely for the fun of the find, or you’re hoping to turn a quick buck, collecting John Deere memorabilia can be a healthy hobby, a lucrative business, and unfortunately, spawn a growing number of scam artists ready to rip you off. Consider yourself forewarned…avoid swindler-like salespeople and too-good-to-be-true tall tales, and maybe you won’t be bamboozled! As they say in Latin, caveat emptor, or, let the buyer beware! Next week The Green Girl will be returning from a pilgrimage to the John Deere mecca--Moline--where she will attend the inaugural auction of the Collectors Center. If you’re looking for a fun Great Green event, this is the place to be. If you’re planning to attend, be sure to look for The Green Girl as she promotes her upcoming book, "John Deere Collectibles." The August 21st column will highlight the weekend’s activities so check back here for the full report! Text © 2000 Brenda Kruse; photos © 2000 Nick Cedar |
As my Dad would say, start with a good hard look right into the seller’s eyes. Try to
read any dishonesty or shady character flaws first.