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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: 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
Prefect
Points: 302
Bertha Jorkins! says:
THATS Sooo not rite!!!!:S
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 8:52 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 465
Kathy_Riddle says:
Uh...what??
*laughs* just kidding
i never buy stuff from e-bay
never buy stuff in the net as a mtter of fact..
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 8:52 PM EST
Squib
Points: 188
Triofan4eva says:
Why would you even pay to have someone get a signed book for you? I mean, that fraudlent stuff has been around for years so people should really look in to what they are buying.
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 8:54 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1090
Octavian Petronius says:
That just goes to show you that there are still nasty people out there trying to take advantage of others. I hope those people get what's coming to them. Talking about signatures, I wish JK would come out to my area to sign books!
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 9:08 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2256
Harry Houdini says:
Thats nice that J.K. Rowling is taking the time out to police the crooks on Ebay and like, online fraud.
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 9:09 PM EST
Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 27754
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
Well I would never buy one off of Ebay because I dont really trust people to be telling the truth about autographs......I would buy other merchandice though....maybe...
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 9:14 PM EST
Half-Blooded Fooch
Points: 2447
fooch48 says:
Its great that she's concerned about false merchandise and the overflow of it on to ebay. Its amazing though, how foolish people can be about purchasing fakes!
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 9:22 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 21
Sillie_Solo_Skywalker says:
It's a pity! People do things like that. It's unforgiveable!
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 9:23 PM EST
Chief Brain Washer
Points: 2874
Chogiiiirl says:
I like the way Jo sticks up for her fans. It was great for her to send out a warning on her website. A lot of kids would probably purchase this fake merchandise otherwise.
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 9:31 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 309
Wicked_06 says:
It is pretty bad when people try to sell fake harry potter items online. that really gets to me. If I buy anything Harry Potter i really want it to be real. Thanks for the warning
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 9:33 PM EST
Seer
Points: 15207
Brittany Radcliffe says:
i believe anything JK says about HP stuff being fake.
i will listen to her. shes the creator and so i must do what she says.
no fakes for me.
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 9:39 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1805
Swimangel57 says:
Yes, I have seen those fake items. It really is a bit ridiculous. I would never buy anything that was supposedly signed by JKR! I buy alot of stuff on ebay but nothing like that. I'm glad she brought this to the attention of fans, its important that they aren't victims of this!
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 9:46 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2465
undisputed760 says:
Its too bad people can take advantage of other people like that just to turn a profit. I hope these people are prosecuted if they can find them some how.
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 9:49 PM EST
Squib
Points: 108
XxX-hp superfan-XxX says:
there are so horrible people that do incorrect things, they do an ugly products from hp, I NEVER going to buy it.
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 9:53 PM EST
Student
Points: 232
Moaning Megan says:
I saw some of that fake stuff on ebay, I would love I signed book, but I didn't think she signed that many and how could they prove she did. Thanks for the warning!!
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 9:56 PM EST
Witch
Points: 645
Stage Violence says:
WOW!!! Who would actually think things on E-BAY are going to be what they appear when it comes to something on the forgible side? Oh, I can guess...
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 10:01 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 418
shimmeraei says:
Mmm...this is a problem that will, most likely, occur forever. Well, until the overwhelming popularity of the series ends. Ridiculous, but to be expected...
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 10:04 PM EST
Dragon Rider
Points: 4437
~MalfoyPotter~ says:
How can E-bay do this to this to JK Rowling??? That is so unfair... They just want to earn dont they?...
~MP~
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 10:07 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1198
Head-of-the-Order says:
I am completely outraged that someone would do such a thing to something so pure as Harry Potter! I would love to get an autographed book from J.K.R., but I think I'll get it from her! I don't trust some of the people on eBay!
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 10:10 PM EST
Witch
Points: 983
LuNaWaNaBe says:
Thats really low to do that. I would
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 10:14 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 61
BertieBottsBeans says:
Yeah, those rip-offs are so mean. Why would they want to hurt all of those good people, just for money....Ok, money is nice, but fake signing Harry Potter merchandise is just wrong. It ruins the product altogether. Well, I'll lash back to e-bay with Rowling for some justice.
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 10:16 PM EST
Witch
Points: 813
harrypotterfan4eva says:
I would never buy anything off Ebay. I don't trust it.
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 10:18 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1375
'Arry + Hermy says:
That is horrible and whoever is doing should stop. I feel sorry for the poor Harry Potter fans who were already cheated. This is out of question horrible, good thing J.K. Rowling posted that or I may have received a cheated copy also.
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 10:21 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2767
Professor Grubbly-Plank says:
It is really sad that someone would want to make money off fans of JKR. I hope that everyone takes her advise.
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 10:25 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1418
Wanta House Elf says:
It is pretty hard for EBAY to police this stuff. No one but her knows for sure whether she really signed the items. So unless she is going to check weekly and dob in the liars, there isn't much that can be done probably.
Posted Sep 7, 2005 at 10:30 PM EST
226-239
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