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SEPTEMBER 7, 2005 at 3:36 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: JKRowling.com
JK Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books, has updated
her web site with a warning to all her fans about the fraudulent number of autographed & unauthorised items that have appeared for sale on eBay.
From the update:
A recent perusal of the e-Bay stocks of 'signed' Harry Potter merchandise was quite alarming for the person who allegedly signed these stacks of books, posters and even, in one case, an unauthorised biography that I would never, and have never, put my signature to. As far as I could tell on the day I dropped in, only one of the signatures on offer appeared genuine. There seem to be a lot of people out there trying to con Harry Potter fans. The same is true in respect to the huge number of unauthorised Harry Potter e-Books and audio digital files that users of e-Bay have offered for sale to Harry Potter fans.
I would be delighted if the online community of Harry Potter fans canvassed e-Bay directly, asking that they be protected against this exploitation.
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226-239
Not the Messiah!
Points: 3735
icabarburus says:
Whilst I have bought stuff on e-bay before, I'm definitely very wary about claims of "signed" mechandise when I buy. I definitely wouldn't buy anything supposedly carrying the signature of someone famous. There are enought low-lifes out there trying to make a quick buck by hunting on naive fans.
This isn't a slur against all sellers on ebay - I've had some brilliant dealings with genuine sellers, but there are scumbags out there! So buyers, beware of all purchases!
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 2:45 AM EST
Witch
Points: 958
Ron+Hermione says:
I hate it that people are so low and that ebay does hardly anything about it!!!!!
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 3:23 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1353
Sabrina13 says:
I'm glad she keeps up with these things. *Nods approvingly*
All those people who make those fake mechandise and books are scumbags. icabarburus, I used your insult. Hehehehe
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 4:01 AM EST
The Usual Suspect
Points: 3421
Orchid says:
I can't believe people do this, it is so wrong to take advantage of people like that.
eBay should do something to stop it, but it would probably be quite difficult, as there are already a number of "fake" things being sold there as handbags and jewelery.
Just don't buy HP stuff from eBay...
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 4:04 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 449
Nemevii says:
As soon as there is something that you can make some money with, be sure that tons of fake one's will appear. But there are also a lot of people that want to have one of those items, and buy whatever they get. I think those so called collectors items should be baned from ebay and others.
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 4:14 AM EST
Voldie’s Psychotherapist
Points: 3693
Thursday Next says:
Ahhhh how annoying- people will take advantage of anything.
Thanks for the warning!
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 4:16 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1248
Ivay says:
Why do people have to use Harry Potter in a name of disgrace? Harry potter is such a good thing and they are using it to con people...i dont like this at all!
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 4:30 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1059
.:harrylover:. says:
I sogjetst that those ******* people try too read the books so they find out that YOO DONT CON HARRY POTTER FANS!!!!
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 5:01 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1500
krystle_clear says:
I would never buy anything signed off ebay, you just never know if its fake or not! J.K.Rowling is completly right they shouldent get away with this kind of stuff.
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 5:17 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 356
aussie_auror says:
Thats really low! tring to rip off anyone is wrong!!
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 6:02 AM EST
canon
Points: 2575
gaea says:
JK Rowling vs. E-Bay and E-Bay wins. She needs to tell Voldemort that they are selling his horcruxes. He would fix them but good.
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 6:16 AM EST
Order of the Phoenix
Points: 4073
Eleanor says:
That really gets on my nerves!!! Why do people want to con people?!?!? It is really childish!
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 6:27 AM EST
The Chosen Hobbit
Points: 2447
Enisnitch Baggins says:
I have no intension whatsoever to buy one of those HP stuff from Ebay. I want one, off course, but I will just hope and pray that someday I have the chance to meet JK herself and ask for her autograph. That would be a sweetest of my life.
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 6:46 AM EST
Squib
Points: 122
XxMLExX says:
Well how nice of her to inform all of us! It is just too bad that poeple do that.
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 6:55 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1968
Silverblood says:
This is pathetic but what did u expect? In fact do you really think that JKR could signed all this stuff???
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 7:01 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1055
bushbaby14 says:
When there is a phenomenon like Harry Potter - I guess there will always be those willing to cash in on fans blinded by "genuine" merchandise.
I'm glad JK has time to look out for this stuff and keep us all in the loop. She definitely cares for her fans. :)
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 7:53 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1493
Hedwig4eva says:
Some people will just try to get money any way they can. I'm so glad to hear that JKR herself tries to look out for her fans by looking on e-bay herself for things like this. It just shows her character and that she truly appreciates and values her fans. Just one more reason we all love JKR!!
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 8:05 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1372
mynanfanciesdumbledore says:
I can't believe the check of some people, where do they get pf trying to con innocent people, Children included in their scams.
could say some very rude words but I won't.
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 8:39 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 710
Potter-crazed says:
I dont understand how people could run such a scam!!!
Potter fans would be so disappointed to find out that they have perchased fake merchandise with fake signatures!
I agree with those who say 'it is only speacial when you get it signed yourself' but some people just cant afford to travel and its really hard to find her!
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 10:00 AM EST
Witch
Points: 619
dance_girl says:
Thats very weird! I mean who would want to go on eBay and buy something that is "signed" by JK Rowling without actually seeing her do it? Those people must be desperate!
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 10:53 AM EST
The Fifth Marauder
Points: 2771
Curious Werewolf says:
It's really bad that people do this, and I'm glad that JKR had done something about it. Also, for the people who are stupid enough to buy a fake signed thing off eBay (and don't realise), they will be pretty disappointed when they find out it isn't real.
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 10:59 AM EST
Vader's Veela
Points: 3858
seekerfan says:
Wow. I have an autographed poster from Chamber of Secrets, signed by like 20 people from the movie. I sure hope it's real. All you can do is try to buy from reputable sellers. I love it anyway. I guess I'll choose to believe it's the real thing.
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 11:24 AM EST
Squib
Points: 177
Jeffaplus says:
GRRRRRR ... I hate it when idiots on eBay try to take advantage of HP Fans like this! Shameless. And the folks who run eBay are doing nothing about it, darn it.
Oh well ... just don't go looking for HP merchandise online.
70 DAYS TILL GoF!
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 11:45 AM EST
Squib
Points: 164
vintalite says:
Why can't they do something good for a change.People beleive them.Now it will go down the drain.
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 11:54 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 639
Cameron the House Elf says:
I'd be very sceptical of anything saying it had JK's signature on it. She doesn't go around signing just anything. As for movie posters with actors signatures, I bet those would be a safer bet. Actors DO sign things a lot.
I'm glad JK's alerting everyone about what she finds, and I think it's great that she's mobilizing the online community to attack eBay for more reputable HP products. Way to fight the power!
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 11:58 AM EST
The Faerie Queene
Points: 3277
merri maven says:
I would never buy anything like that on ebay. If I had a copy signed by JKR, I wouldn't put it up on sale on ebay so why would other people?
Posted Sep 8, 2005 at 12:29 PM EST
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