Tips for buying on eBay?

[brandnewfan]

I'm looking to buy an Anton Yelchin autograph to add to my Star Trek collection, since he's passed away. eBay seems like my best bet. Does anyone have any advice or tips when buying on eBay to make sure I get a legitimate and real autograph?

[Hartster]

Buy from a convention promoter who has hosted actors. More than likely, they will have autographs because either an actor signed for them and/or it was part of their contract with the promoter.

Barring that, know and trust the autograph, not a COA, which has no legal standing. Ask for provenance as to where and when the autograph was obtained.

[goswannies]

I'm looking to buy an Anton Yelchin autograph to add to my Star Trek collection, since he's passed away. eBay seems like my best bet. Does anyone have any advice or tips when buying on eBay to make sure I get a legitimate and real autograph?

Signed cards that were released by the card companies (they have authenticity printed on them) are a pretty good option.

Sometimes sellers will include a picture of the person actually signing (but make sure it's the actual picture as often sellers will offer "photographic evidence" but when you look the signature on the photo isn't on the same position as the photo evidence of the celebrity signing it.

CoA's are mostly worthless.

Be wary of pre-prints

Be wary of fakes

Compare the autograph you plan to buy with genuine examples