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Apr 05, 2026

How to Spot Fake Antiques Online and Safeguard Your Purchase – Expert Advice from a UK Valuer

AI Summary
A UK antiques specialist explains how counterfeit items—like a falsified Lalique vase—are proliferating on online marketplaces, and outlines practical steps buyers can take, from demanding provenance to using eBay guarantees, chargebacks, and legal remedies such as Section 75 claims.

When Kayleigh Davies, a seasoned valuer at the auction platform Auctionet, examined the base of a vase marketed as a genuine Lalique piece, she immediately recognised the deception. The word “Lalique” had been crudely engraved onto the bottom, a trick the seller hoped would inflate the price.

Davies rejected the item, noting that without the fraudulent engraving it would have been a saleable piece. Her experience underscores a growing problem: traditional antique scams are being amplified by the reach of internet marketplaces.

Typical red flags

Fraudsters often disguise flaws—such as restored cracks or repainted toy cars—while claiming pristine condition. Even high‑value items like original‑packaged Star Wars figures can be misrepresented by placing cheap replicas in authentic‑looking boxes.

Other warning signs include unexplained scuffs on glassware, suspiciously perfect finishes on aged objects, and a lack of clear provenance for autographs. Davies advises buyers to ask probing questions; a dishonest seller is likely to become evasive or refuse further details.

Electrical collectibles, such as vintage lamps, pose additional hazards, as faulty wiring can lead to fire risks.

Consumer safeguards

Platforms like eBay enforce strict policies against counterfeit goods and offer a “money‑back guarantee” that protects purchasers when items do not match their listings.

In the UK, Citizens Advice confirms that buyers have a legal right to a refund for fake products. If a seller refuses, shoppers can:

  • Initiate a chargeback through their bank if they paid by debit card or used a credit card for purchases under £100.
  • File a Section 75 claim for credit‑card purchases over £100, shifting liability to the card issuer.

Suspected fraud can also be reported to the national Report Fraud centre, and to local Trading Standards via Citizens Advice.

By staying vigilant, demanding documentation, and leveraging consumer‑rights mechanisms, buyers can reduce the risk of falling victim to counterfeit antiques and collectibles.