| Collecting football autographs is a great pastime for a | | | | guarantee that it is real. It is very easy to reproduce |
| football fan and it can also be a great investment if | | | | this documentation at home so you need to vigilant |
| you decide to sell on your collection for a profit. | | | | when checking the document. It would be wise to do |
| Nowadays the sport memorabilia industry is big bucks | | | | a bit of background research as well so as not to get |
| and as more and more fraudsters try to rip off | | | | caught out. |
| genuine collectors it is important to have your wits | | | | 5) Although the internet is a great tool for buying |
| about you when buying and selling memorabilia. If you | | | | sports memorabilia you do need to be on your guard |
| are new to collecting football autographs or just need | | | | and make sure you only buy from a reputable |
| reminding the best way to collect, here are a few | | | | company with a long track record and good reviews. |
| key points to bear in mind when adding to or starting | | | | Most sites will feature testimonials so check these |
| up a collection. | | | | out and see what other collectors have to say about |
| 1) Firstly, you need to be buyer aware. The best | | | | the service they received. |
| way to avoid being ripped off is to remember if a | | | | 6) If you are a serious collector then it might be wise |
| price sounds too good to be true, it probably is! You | | | | to join a relevant association or organisation so you |
| need to familiarise yourself with average prices of | | | | can talk to other like-minded individuals and you can |
| memorabilia as this will stop you being ripped off and | | | | share tips and advice. Fellow collectors may be able |
| will also potentially help you spot a bargain. You can | | | | to help you watch out for rare pieces! |
| do this by browsing through different auction sites. | | | | 7) Of course the best way to make sure that an |
| 2) Valuing an autograph is not as easy as it sounds | | | | autograph is authentic is to get an autograph in |
| so you will need to do your homework and get a | | | | person. However, this can be very time-consuming |
| feel for price ranges. Things to take into | | | | and hit and miss if the player in question is not willing |
| consideration are the quality of the signature, when it | | | | to give you an autograph. |
| was written, the condition of the material the | | | | 8) Before buying make sure that you get a good |
| autograph is on and most importantly whose | | | | look at the item in question. An authentic seller should |
| autograph it is. | | | | post several pictures of the goods so make sure you |
| 3) You need to be clued up and aware of time | | | | check these properly. If you are familiar with sports |
| periods. For example, if you see an autograph that | | | | memorabilia you should be able to spot a fake quite |
| claims to date back to the 1930's and it is written in | | | | easily. |
| marker pen the chances are this isn't authentic. Little | | | | 9) It may seem silly but check the autograph is spelt |
| things like what the autograph was signed with or on | | | | correctly and that it is similar to other autographs by |
| could make all the difference between a real and a | | | | the same person. |
| fake. Above all don't rush into a purchase, make sure | | | | 10) The final tip is to always be extra vigilant. |
| you research it properly before parting with your | | | | Unfortunately there are a lot of people out there |
| precious cash. | | | | looking to make some fast, easy money by ripping |
| 4) Most pieces of memorabilia should come with a | | | | unsuspecting collectors off. Don't let them! Collecting |
| certificate of authenticity. If your piece does then | | | | football autographs should be fun so don't let |
| great but even then it does not necessarily | | | | scammers spoil it for you! |