The absolute biggest clue, is does it seem too good to be true?

e.g. a Verese Sarabande Predator for $10!!! no way unless there was a reserve.

Next what is the release label. All these so called 'collector editions, limited archival pressings, private label release' the list is endless.
Also add to this, the titles & the label, Greystoke has Monkey Music, First Knight has Camelot Records etc etc.

Then ask the seller some basic questions, maybe a scan of the actual cd face, 99.9% of actual commercial cds have a mass on information printed on the face of the cd, also what are the cover inserts like, pages images etc.

1 killer way to trace a fake is check the feed back, if you are talking about ebay.
Has the seller recently sold off several copies of the same item. Now there are a number of sellers who buy up multiples & sell them off once the regular supply has dried up, but even they run out & if it's a very sort after title, then just how many 'real 1's' do they have.

To give you an example, I recently sold a China Town on Ebay, it's real & I had 2. ! I bought when it was first released & 1 I was given a few months ago by a friends wife who has since passed away. She knew we both liked scores & gave me all his soundtrack cds. I sold off the duplicates & there were very few, the rest I kept.

But my feed back will not show another China Town being sold in a few weeks as there is no other 1 to sell.

Also another really good way is to actually look at whats being sold, do you recognize the art work, are there too many 'bonus' items being offered & of course sites such as this which has a wonderful data base will give you a great clue as to what's being offered & if it's the right thing.

I suppose last but not least ask the seller to some deep questions, 'how many pages does the booklet have' a scan of the jewel case liner, even a scan of the disc itself.

I have sold 2 scarce cds in my time, I'm not a big time seller, more a buyer & in both cases would have been more than happy to supply anything needed as in both cases I have nothing to hide.

I suppose in the end there are those out to con the market & it's in every market there is & the web is no different & in many cases worse.

Look at the lenghts the film & music industry goes to to try to stop pirates & illegal copies.

My last rule of thumb, if in doubt don't bid or set a limit & don't pass it for any reason.

Remember with rights changing hands all the time & great companies like Intrada & Film Score Monthly & Prometheus all working hard on some of these tough titles, things often do come round again, it's just a matter of time.

maybe some of this helps

andrew

ajbjmdb, January 10, 2006; 4:18 AM

Fellow soundtrack collectors, I would agree with the response above.
know your product, educate yourself on the product you are looking to bid on. this site is the best for information.
do not trust prefilled information or pictures.
many lagitimate sellers use many pictures that identify the product as AUTHENTIC.

check out what else the seller has for auction. too many rare items at once might be questionable? watch the feedback score, if it is low, pass on it.
one other way is to simply monitor all the cd soundtrack auctions. observe what is selling for large amounts. get a feel for the market.
AGAIN, IF IT'S TO GOOD TO BE TRUE THEN BE PREPARED TO PAY THE PRICE.
I learned the hard way, in the begining.

Good luck


tracymark007, January 10, 2006; 4:51 AM

if in any doubt post a link on here and im sure the good chaps on here will assist as they usually do!

anthonynputson, January 10, 2006; 1:11 PM

Hello
I brought two commercial bootlegs of a seller on ebay for about £42 and i'm not sure if there real as this guy sells loads of bootlegs. His member profile is called "dunstansarome" and i was hoping if anyone could help me to tell if what he's selling is fake of not.
Many thanks Joe

josepijoe, August 25, 2006; 6:41 PM