Festive Shopping - Don't get Faked!
- Nicholas
- Dec 13, 2024
- 9 min read
A Quick Guide to protect you from buying a fake and some rules of thumb i use!
What a complex world we live in with buying opportunities coming at us from every angle, from the traditional TV, Radio, Magazines and Newspapers to the more socially connected platforms. This is the time when we will be buying special gifts and wonderful memorable pressies for family, friends and loved-ones. Its also the best time to get taken for a ride. Here is an important read for you - especially if like me - you love giving gifts that matter, mean something to the recipient and dont neccesarily have to be brand spanking new. It also means we need to be cautious for those who wish to take advantage of our good nature and pockets!
In the used good markets antiques stores, charity stores, pawn shops, home sellers and traders of all sorts - we are many! We offer products to our target market to lovers of old or vintage but also collectors who are more specific in what they buy. Product range and options abound and seems everyone has something to sell - including us at NostalgiaNique. There are some amazing items on offer and yes we have the priviledge of buying them from sellers after we research/curate and make an acceptable, market related, fair and honest offer - all that adorne our shelves today. Most of us do the right thing to varying degrees and try our best to ensure we run an honest and trusted business.
We at NostalgiaNique focus on three key areas - the best quality, unique and authentic pieces for our store and are careful to ensure that each piece lives up to its name, stamp, markings, reputation and is correct to the manufacturer, designer or artist. On that front we take our time to ensure that you - our customers are safeguarded from spending money on anything but an Authentic #AlwaysLoved piece. If you've managed to read our Interview with SA Decor and Design (follow the link if you read my interview with the CEO of SA Decor and Design) recently you would have seen that curating is our single most important activity as we look to ensure authenticity for our clients.
The process for each object is quite different and cannot use the same process for crockery as we use for a vintage watch or an old woodcarving. This is Obvious I guess but through our interactions we have come across both sides of the spectrum genuine and fake. I will also delve a bit into "Homage" and " Reproductions" version which means in simple terms - means that another manufacturer copied the design of an original from another designer - they are both authentic but the design is copied. We see homage version across the spectrum from crockery, cutlery, watches, figurines,etc.
Reproductions and Homage
Personally I feel that a "Homage" version is not a fake as the manufacturer of the "Homage" version is an authentic manufacturer but I would love to know your thoughts on this matter? Yes its a copy of another design or designer but its genuine and often sold at a fair market value from the manufacturing. This happens across industry and I think as long as the product is not marketed and soldnto deceive the buyer its a fair and honest trade. I am sure that the originating brand may not like it very much.
That being said Reproductions by the same manufacturer are also genuine and authentic. Being a vintage and antique store we try and get the original and stick to the conventions within the industry of an older version rather. Almost all top sports and luxury brands have launched a "Retro" range which gives a nod to the original piece of the 50s through to the 90's. I certainly wear reproductions if manufactured by the same original brand. Again, if made by the original manufacturer there is nothing to fear reagrding reproduction pieces.
FAKES!! FORGERIES!! which are defined very accurately in The Cambridge Dictionery "an object that is made to look real or valuable in order to deceive people". Ja Hey!! I love the "in order to deceive people" part at the end because thats exactly what happens when people pay genuine prices for non-genuine pieces - they are deceived or lied to.
Tiny Details are everything!
A good friend of ours recently paid R9000 for a painting by a well known artist and the certificate of authenticity valued it at R23000. The purchase was intiated on a social media site and concluded after he went for an inspection. He was happy and relied on the certificate of authenticity and purchased it after a bit of a haggle. He brought it in to me for reframing and relayed how he came by the painting. I was initially very excited for him and he asked for my opinion. As requested I took a close look (does the paint lift off the painted surface, is the signature in line with the artist, was the subject matter within the realms of the Artist and was it consistant with anything else I may have seen. I could not see the texture of the paint lifted off the paper but rather on the paper - that miniscule detail did set off low sounding alarm bells but I was careful and respectful not to say anything to him. My advice was to send it to an expert for a re-evaluation and certification and whom I use regularly - he could verify it for him under microscope and I would be happy to arrange for him. We did! Welllll - it was not genuine and the seller as promised, was unwilling to take it back nor provide a refund - "voetstoets"- to this day I believe they are still "in negotiations." I hear you ask about the Authenticy certificate - FAKE!! as well everything and alles was created for the sole purpose of deceit - a quick buck and of little or no consequence to the unscrupolous seller. Addresses, company, contact numbers, registrations, logo were all not worth the paper it was printed on. So lets consider the total loss to my friend was of R32 000-00 - R9000 paid plus R23000 potential value as promised and if it was authentic - which is why he bought it in the first place as an investment and the fact he loved it for the aesthetic appeal for his home.
This is a very simple equation to illustrate the loss and haven't considered what that painting could have been worth in todays market or other external factors.
Fakes are by its nature simply their to con you into thinking you are getting the real deal with an implied future value! (which will never materialise). There are no safe zones when it comes to Fakes - jewellery, scent bottles, alcohol, food items, watches, figurines, artwork, lighters, crockery, cutlery, car parts even ancient artifacts- and the scary part is just how authentic fakes are made to look, they are getting better and better at producing almost identical look alikes with better quality materials to be as exact as possible. We are talking about the high-end luxury branded sunglass at the traffic light that sells for R200 negotiable and at the brands retail outlet costs upward of R3000 non-negotiable.
Sure they are cheaper and most definitely will do the job (for a time and depending what it is) but at some point through normal function or at the time to sell - it will let you down.
Do the work upfront
So how can you protect yourself against being scammed. Well you need to some work upfront to really be sure.
The first rule should be to buy from a reputable person/business. Its so much easier these days to Check references from online channels, to contact the compnany itself or simply read the reviews. Get comfortable before you buy with with the upfront work on who are you buying from. I spend such a big portion of my week simply checking and double checking and doing research on every item - to ensure you get the real deal. I am proud we have never had a return for any reason to date.
Rule 2 - Check the item thoroughly as there will be tell tale signs of mass production or rushed jobs, - inferior materials which are lighter are more modern which could indicate a fake - old stuff was just made to last and therefore in my experience made out of heavier materials and superior craftmanship and care was off the charts. Don't be afraid to use a search engine. I use the internet as well as reference books, brand websites and databases and experience to ensure correctness but a quick search is where I start.
All great luxury brands were METICULOUS about the overall quality of the products they made, there were no short cuts. Yes wear and tear will always play a part but it is also a sign of correct age so check that wear marks are consistant with the item you are buying. Old wooden chairs in original condition for example are almost always scuffed/worn on the legs, arm rests and the top of the chair backs (due to hands resting on them or frequent touching. TIPS Are Free at NostalgiaNique haha. When inspecting start simple with the eyes and hands. Look for small inconsistencies - spelling errors even - if there are markings use your mobile to find a match - dont be afraid to lightly clean around markings to get a clear view, always ask questions and always listen to the answers.
Hallmarks, stamps, engravings and other manufacturer markings are vital to determine the genuine article. Look closely at these. On crockery for example porcelaine is far easier then earthenware to research due to hallmarks, names, dates and artist stamps normally being evident on them. Watches are getting seriously difficult to asses and I often take up to two weeks with an assesment - especially with high-end luxury brands. Fakes watches are lucrative! With a relatively small investment in comparison to the real thing - they get churned out quickly using modern design tools and manufacturing standards - there almost no tell tale signs on the exterior of the piece with faces, hands, crowns, back plates, straps and back stamps all look near identical and sadly they are not as cheap as you would believe. At NostalgiaNique every time-piece is thoroughly researched and verified through certified professional before we even make an offer to purchase. Any reputable seller/dealer should be willing and able to tell you specifically how they went about Authenticating a piece.
I have heard, seen and read of so many deals concluded in Social media sites that have gone south so always try and buy from someone who is trusted and reputable. which brings me to my last important word of advice, if there is doubt - do not part with your hard earned money. If details of ownership or how was it acquired seem far fetched or with serious lack of proof - walk away with your money in your pocket. If questions are not answered thoroughly and you get the sense (gut feel) that the deal is too good to be true - it probably is. If the price is not in line with reputable dealers ask many many questions because in those instances - only one person in the transaction is gonna win - which one remains to be seen through time.
in Conclusion
You will notice I have not made referecne to any specifc brand in my examples which is done on purpose. The second-hand or used market is especially susseptible to fakes and forgeries so I am ultra conservative when assessing, buying and putting a value to the all the items we stock - for the safety and security of my clients this is important work. However, I also know the second-hand market is full of great pieces at amazing prices for genuine and authentic pieces. My rule of thumb is to personally check the item before buying either driving to a home or arranging for in-store inspection before any purchase, consulting with other experts and tradespeople and even my clients who have a wealth of knowledge. I am equally careful about receiving cash in the store - due to - You Guessed it FAKE MONEY!!
I also agree that there is a market for fake/knockoffs/forgeries due to brand association, affordability, ego, etc or else they would not exist..But if, like me care and want the real deal hopefully the advice that I've shared helps and protects you from becoming a victim.
Luxury Brands suffer massive income losses and Reputational damage because of these fakes, artists lose much needed income and businesses and store owners could lose everything they work so hard for, you get "conned" out of hard earned money and savings! The only real winners in the Fake market are the produces and sellers of such items who often walk away unscathed due to little or no accountability and recourse.
Be safe shopping this festive season and we hope that every gift received or given creates a long-lasting and wonderful memory.
Nicholas
Feel free to browse our selection of quality, authentic and rare gifts at www.nostalgianick.com/shop or visit our Lifestyle Boutique if you prefer to see, feel and touch and give a gift that matters.
Nostalgianique Gift cards are available - https://www.nostalgianick.com/gift-card
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