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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
Witch
Points: 699
Mrs.Draco.Malfoy says:
That is really stupid, people shouldn't be fraudulently autographing thigs and selling them, I mean, how desperate is that? ;(
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 6:34 PM EST
Harry's Soul-Mate
Points: 3337
Lea says:
I HATE FORGERS!
That being said, I must add that I would never ever try to purchase some "rare-item" such as a signed HP-book on e-bay!!!!.......
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 6:40 PM EST
Heiress of Gryffindor
Points: 3537
Nienna Narmolanya says:
Ugh...
This is so annoying. Why someone would even buy a signature online is beyond me. I mean, I'd only appreciate one if I got it myself - it's the memory that makes it special after all.
I can't stand it when people try to benefit from the success of others, instead of just trying to make it on their own. Making money off Harry Potter fans - not cool...
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 6:45 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1380
Chadick says:
This is just so depressing, these frauds taking advantage to HP fans to make some money. Well, let's hope that this problem will be solved immediately.
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 6:53 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1492
*PotterPrincess* says:
Oh I cant believe this, this is bad. I mean people try to get money of Harry Potter fans. Even thought i think that if you but a signature of someone its not was significant as if you get it yourself. Besides if you buy it you don't even know if it is unique. Anyways I hate those people. We should really tell them not do stuff like that, even thought we know they will keep doing it.
They seem so desperate. It's pathetic...
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 6:55 PM EST
Chief Auror
Points: 15502
auror_potter says:
Yeah I only buy the the books I don't really go after the other ones.
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 6:58 PM EST
Kathe Mera Kalimera
Points: 7720
dominor says:
Well i don't have a problem,i never buy anything from the internet..But i hate these things..Even if it doesn't affect me,it affects you guys and that is a good reason for me to be angry right now...
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 7:04 PM EST
Ravies Flying Instructor
Points: 3161
love2fly says:
Something I am really not into I would rather get JK's or anyone who worked on the films personally to sign an artical I may have with me. I am a trusting person but I also know my limits.
LOVE2FLY
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 7:04 PM EST
Harry's Mental Advisor
Points: 19432
Smileyradcliffe says:
I really hate it when people do that. It makes me so mad. Not only for me but for the people who actually buy these things.
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 7:05 PM EST
Witch
Points: 823
jade_eyes says:
People are LAME, they are always out for a buck, no matter how many people they run over to get it. I wish there was some sort of protection against it, because I don't want Potter fans getting conned (or anyone for that matter!!)
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 7:07 PM EST
Hogwart's Jedi Princess
Points: 3491
Darth Amanda says:
Yeah, that's kind of stupid to buy something that is autographed. It wouldn't be very special to you if you didn't get it autographed yourself and nobody would probably ever sell the real things anyway.
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 7:19 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2682
hplovergurl says:
I really hate hearing that people are forging peoples signatures. I wouldn't buy something that was autographed unless I saw it being autographed.
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 7:34 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1013
hpotter_gweasley says:
That really makes me mad, people forging signatures of a person who had worked hard (JKR, that is) just to make some quick money.
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 7:41 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1314
Lemon Drop says:
I received signed books for Christmas last year as a gift from my friend. As soon as I saw them I knew they were not real. I am the Harry Potter fan not her. I could not break her heart by telling her that they are fake. So I display them proudly in my home knowing it is the thought that counts and told her not to even look for any signed new books because JKR barely signs anymore. My point is that these fraudsters tend to get the friends and family of the Harry Potter fan because they are the ones who end up buying these signed items as gifts. I think ebay should monitor better.
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 7:42 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 352
Inannalia says:
That's terrible! eBay should do something about that. They shouldn't allow stuff like that on their site. It'll just get them into trouble.
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 7:53 PM EST
The Golden Snidget
Points: 3157
Mrs. Phineas Nigellus says:
That has to be really tough, trying to figure out what's genuine and what's fake. To be safe, I wouldn't buy anything with a sig. Be smart, shoppers!!
*The MRS*
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 7:54 PM EST
Dan Radcliffe's Lovah
Points: 8780
JaDa Radcliffe says:
I hate it when some people do that! Geez! If you want some money, guys, get a job.. Don't use other people..
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 8:02 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 498
chookiejackson says:
I have seen this with a lot of things on ebay. You have to wonder how some people sleep a night!
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 8:08 PM EST
Witch
Points: 734
Fantasy Lover says:
I never knew that. Honestly, what a waste of money! I agree it is better to get signed by J.K Rowling. I wish I got an autograph from the Creater of Harry Potter!
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 8:11 PM EST
Auror
Points: 4080
RON's all up in heRmiONe says:
People can be really stupid sometimes. To fake a signature for a little money. That really sucks.
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 8:13 PM EST
Student
Points: 252
~*bayariagrl*~ says:
That's terrible of them! I mean if they were big fans of something they'd want the real thing. But they insist on tricking fans of something else! That's just terrible. I mena you're paying so much for something that is a fake. I can't believe anyone would do that. I agree with chookiejackson, how do they sleep at night?!
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 8:15 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1023
hpff_#1 says:
You can't say these people aren't smart for putting the most prized object on E-bay. There are too many people out there dieing to have rowling's signature and that's a real money maker. I do hate it but still very profitable.
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 8:15 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2621
hbluvhp says:
How crummy is that?? I hate dishonest people. But thanks to JK and HPANA for letting us know about the ebay frauds. That is greatly appreciated.
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 8:17 PM EST
Witch
Points: 564
val_the_pyro07 says:
Man, no one should ever buy stuff from ebay cause alot of it is fraud, and even if it isnt they dont always send what u order.
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 8:24 PM EST
Points: 59
dumbledorestudent says:
That is really messed up....i mean people must be just money wanting fools to do such things.....tricking kids....me...being 14...hate to see it when little kids are tricked even by their own peers....i think thats plain out wrong!
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 8:28 PM EST
Witch
Points: 753
Mollycoddling says:
First, yes, these scams absolutely suck. But it's hardly new. This has been going on since the dawn of fame.
And while it is true that you certainly gain more emotional satisfaction from a thing you had signed for yourself, you (or your children) will have more FINANCIAL gain from a thing legitimately signed. You think JKR's signature is valuable today? Wait until she's dead.
Before you purchase anything signed (from anyone, but most especially on e-Bay), be sure they have a Certificate of Authenticity. All promotional items with signatures (such as posters or books) will have them. You can even go so far as to request a copy of said Certificate and then confirm with the producer (in this case Warner Brothers) whether it is theirs.
So you can buy these legitimately, from decent and honest traders. You just have to be careful.
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 8:43 PM EST
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