| Most fountain pen seekers take a stroll through eBay | | | | product you can't personally check out, while buying |
| looking for great deals. However, one secret to huge | | | | it from some stranger. |
| bargains are fountain pens up for an auction that are | | | | Warning: there are a lot of fake fountain pens up for |
| spelled wrong. There are a lot of people that have | | | | an auction on eBay. Do you know how to spot one? |
| no clue what that fancy pen they found at home or | | | | - Does it have a serial number? |
| inherited is worth, so they put it on eBay. | | | | - Where should the serial number appear on the pen? |
| Many people misspell words. They wonder why there | | | | - Is the country of origin spelled correctly? |
| are no bids. Here's why . . . the item does not show | | | | - Name of a manufacturer spelled correctly? |
| up in eBay searches . . . nobody knows it's there. | | | | If you are still unsure on what you are looking for, |
| Many times you could be the only bidder. | | | | there are many fountain pen forums online. These |
| You can find numerous "eBay Misspelling Tools" | | | | experts will be more than happy to answer any |
| available online. | | | | question you might have, just type in "Fountain Pen |
| People have no idea what they are actually offering, | | | | Forums" into any search box and then look around. |
| not only do they misspell the name, they haven't a | | | | Not only should you be aware of fake pens, but be |
| clue how to describe the fountain pen or take a | | | | aware of bidder scams. Although rare in fountain pen |
| compelling photo. It's recommended that you email | | | | auctions, it still happens. This type of scam is run by |
| the seller any question you might have. | | | | one person in control of two eBay accounts or two |
| However, make sure the pen has at least one bid | | | | people with separate accounts. One eBay account will |
| (preferably yours) on it . . . before you tip off the | | | | place a small bid on your fountain pen. Then another |
| seller that they actually have a fountain pen of | | | | eBay account will place a very high bid. Right before |
| substantial worth up for an auction. Once a bid has | | | | your fountain pen auction is about to close, the high |
| been made, the seller cannot change the price or | | | | bidder will cancel or withdraw their bid, leaving the |
| description of that item. | | | | low bid as the winner. Setting a "reserve price" on |
| You can find many of these pens in great condition, | | | | your fountain pen will avoid this scam. |
| minimal brassing, clean and correct nib, a lever box in | | | | Hopefully, this information is beneficial to you in your |
| great shape, etc. | | | | quest to find a great bargain and not get taken |
| There is 'safe trading' advice offered by eBay that | | | | when shopping for fountain pens at the world's |
| you should take to heart. By reading this advice you | | | | largest flea market. |
| will be able to eliminate the anxiety of buying a | | | | |