| If you're looking for a specific and genuine vintage | | | | its the exact brand pictured in the auction as some |
| t-shirt, you probably aren't going to luck out at your | | | | sellers are pulling the ol' switch-a-roo. |
| local thrift store. Take my word for it - I was just | | | | Always check the sellers past auctions to find out if |
| there and grabbed all the good stuff. Besides, eBay | | | | they keep listing the same questionable items over |
| makes it so much easier to get the exact shirt you | | | | and over. This can be done by selecting "list" on the |
| want immediately. So now that you're serious about | | | | right hand side of the specific sellers auction page |
| finding that authentic New Kids on the Block tee | | | | where it reads, "View Sellers Other Items". After it |
| you've always wanted (seriously?), we've compiled | | | | fetches their current inventory - along the left hand |
| an informative little lesson to help you along the way. | | | | side within the yellow "Search Options" area check |
| PASS THE SEARCH BAR EXAM | | | | mark, "completed items" then click, "show items". |
| Use the search bar to find your item and go with the | | | | Also get to know your favorite seller's grading terms. |
| most basic search terms possible, such as "New Kids | | | | View several of their items and take note of how |
| vintage t-shirt" If that initial search brings in too many | | | | products are listed using different descriptions, such |
| results, you can narrow your focus by adding words | | | | as, "mint," "excellent," "good" or "poor." In the same |
| like "NKOTB," "concert," or other related words. | | | | way sizing can vary, some vendors have their own |
| Sometimes shirts are described in different ways. For | | | | grading system. |
| example, a Led Zeppelin shirt could be listed as | | | | SAY NO TO REPRO |
| "vintage Zeppelin jersey" and wouldn't appear in your | | | | Reading this guide is an essential step in learning to |
| search results if you entered "Zeppelin vintage t-shirt | | | | "say no to repro." Making sure your item is genuine is |
| " Go ahead - and enter each one of those queries | | | | tricky sometimes, since listings can be misleading. |
| and you'll see how they fetch different results. | | | | The recent surge of counterfeit vintage shirts on |
| Remember that varying your search by leaving out | | | | eBay breaks our hearts. Some of these operations |
| the word "Led" may also increase your hits. Make | | | | sell very convincing fakes (we're actually amazed) as |
| sure to mix up your search terms as much as | | | | well as genuine pieces. Others print new designs on |
| possible and be creative to broaden your search | | | | plain vintage shirts. Many of these dealers buy repros |
| outcome. | | | | in bulk - so you'll notice multiple sellers carrying many |
| SELLERS WITH GOOD GRADES | | | | of the exact same prints. With all these creative and |
| If you find something you like, make sure the seller is | | | | sneaky techniques, it's become even trickier to get |
| reputable. You wouldn't buy a watch from some | | | | the real deal. |
| dude on a street corner wearing a trench coat, | | | | Often, the listings will not display the tag - it will be |
| would you? Most eBay vendors don't specialize in | | | | removed, or look like an uncommon, yet |
| vintage shirts sales; thus they may not grade their | | | | vintage-esque brand, ie. "Mahagamage." It's gotten so |
| items accurately. Some sellers are fly-by-night | | | | out-of-hand that designs originally printed on only one |
| reproduction operations while some luck out by | | | | colour of shirt are starting to appear in an array of |
| raiding their granny's closet and find out she was a | | | | other colours. If Bill and Ted were to chime-in now, |
| closet death metal fan. These dealers usually won't | | | | you can bet they'd say, "Bogus!" |
| provide sizing data or photos of an item's brand or | | | | If the written details and photos in the listing are |
| flaws. | | | | scarce and non-descriptive, do your research. Keep in |
| Transactions with a seller like this can be hit and miss, | | | | mind some listings misuse "vintage" as a keyword to |
| too. Sometimes you'll receive an item that doesn't fit, | | | | generate exposure for other items. Look for sharp |
| is in poor condition, or is not a real vintage article. | | | | close-ups of copyright printing and date subscripts. |
| Always check out a seller's eBay rating and | | | | Consider the actual look of the printing, as many |
| comments. If you see a bunch of buyers who have | | | | reproductions use just one color. Also inspect the |
| complained about receiving a fake item, one in poor | | | | quality of the printing - watch for inaccurately sized, |
| shape or the wrong item, take those comments as a | | | | wrongly placed, poorly coloured or pixelized prints. |
| sign of a bad trend. | | | | If you understand the screen printing process you'll |
| If the merchant is listed as a "power seller," it's an | | | | spot the knock-offs more easily. Screen-printed items |
| added bonus. This designation means the seller has a | | | | are made in stages, with each colour printed |
| more consistent selection of products and maintains a | | | | separately. So when a shirt has a 5-colour design, it's |
| 98% positive feedback rating. This rating is difficult to | | | | passed under 5 different screens to add the |
| achieve if you aren't honest about the condition of | | | | appropriate colour to the specific locations on the |
| your shirts, especially when it comes to vintage | | | | fabric. Think of it like a jig-saw puzzle, where each |
| clothing. | | | | colour is a separate piece, and when put together, |
| DO YOUR HOMEWORK | | | | makes up the total design. |
| Don't get us wrong - there are plenty of professional | | | | What does this analogy tell us about identifying |
| vintage outfitters to choose from on eBay. With | | | | fakes? First off, most counterfeiters don't have the |
| these organizations, the guideline is: what you see is | | | | original image to work with, so they scan a copy of |
| what you'll get. Most have a strict policy of not | | | | it. The integrity of the design is compromised |
| dealing in reproductions or fakes. (Repros and fakes | | | | because colours and fine lines aren't matched |
| make us genuine vendors angry... Almost as angry as | | | | properly. Sometimes entire colours or details are |
| Axl Rose was when some fan threw a water bottle | | | | omitted if it's too difficult to pick up or used very |
| at him during a G 'N R concert.) | | | | little in the original design. |
| Honest sellers take the time to accurately | | | | Given these indications of forgery, the example |
| photograph and grade their vintage t-shirts. They also | | | | below shows a comparison between an authentic |
| provide measurements so you can compare them to | | | | design and a forgery, with close-ups of their |
| an article of clothing you already own. It's not a good | | | | subscripts. Notice how the copyright symbol is missing |
| idea to "eyeball" your size, since each t-shirt seller has | | | | from the fake. When compared side by side, it's |
| a slightly different method of determining sizes. To | | | | obvious to see which is which. On their own, though, |
| make it more confusing, in general, a vintage large is | | | | it's less apparent which is the repro. Do comparative |
| a medium by today's standards. In other words, | | | | shopping. |
| always compare chest and length measurements to | | | | Also factor in the shirt's material. A lot of vintage |
| ensure the item will fit. Most sellers won't accept | | | | shirts are made of a 50/50 poly-cotton blend, while |
| returns due to sizing issues. And if they do, you'll | | | | the 100% cotton blends are a more recent trend. |
| most likely lose out on the shipping fees and wasted | | | | Get to know your vintage shirt brands by the tags. |
| time. | | | | This labeling is a great indicator because many of |
| Understand that you are purchasing a "vintage" shirt | | | | these companies are no longer in production. Names |
| which has been worn to different degrees. That is, | | | | like Screen Stars, Springford, Sportswear, Touch of |
| unless the item is listed as "new old stock" (NOS) or | | | | Gold and Ched are good examples of genuine tag |
| "deadstock." If the shirt is NOS, it has not been | | | | names. Hanes, while still in production, has seen |
| washed, so factor in slight fabric shrinkage when | | | | different phases of labels over time which can easily |
| measuring. New old stock usually exists as a result of | | | | be identified with a particular era. |
| a retailer who stored away the clothing decades ago | | | | If all else fails, politely ask the seller if an article is |
| because it wasn't selling. However, also be aware | | | | genuine vintage, as this factor is an important |
| that some counterfeiters are claiming their repros are | | | | element in deciding on a purchase. When confronted |
| new old stock to justify being in mint shape. In this | | | | with a question of this nature, merchants will |
| case be extra cautious in making sure it's a true | | | | probably respond with their honest opinion. |
| vintage brand. When you receive the shirt make sure | | | | |