It is certainly NOT always the case of "what you see is what you get"!  With the element of touch absent, online auctions have become an easy way for sellers to pass along fakes and reproductions.  
What's the difference between a look-a-like,  a fake, and a reproduction?  

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 A LOOK-A-LIKE is a piece that was made to LOOK like the original style and shape of the McCoy piece, however, the maker is not doing it to deceive people into thinking that 
the piece he made actually is authentic.  For example, the low double tulip vase shown here is almost identical in style and shape to the original McCoy, however, this piece is NOT marked.  Visit our Look-a-like site for complete information and listings.
A REPRODUCTION is a piece of pottery that was made by someone other than the original manufacturer.  Reproductions are made to look just like the original, complete with the original markings. Because of the way they are usually  
manufactured, as a general rule, they are slightly smaller than the original in size.  However, please keep in mind that some reproductions were made from an original mold, and therefore would have no size discrepancy. Visit our reproduction section for a complete list of all known reproductions.
littleredridinghood.jpg (14167 bytes) A FAKE is a piece that was produced simply for the purpose of trying to deceive collectors into thinking that a particular manufacturer created the piece.  For example, the Little Red Riding Hood Cookie Jar is a FAKE.  It  was NEVER produce by 
McCoy Pottery, yet it bears the McCoy mark on the bottom.  Be sure to visit our FAKES display to see what items are currently being made and called McCoy.

Online auctions and sales have been a valuable tool for many collectors in acquiring rare and unusual pieces for their collections.  However, buying online also employs the opportunity for misrepresentation.  Many sellers are purposely NOT telling the bidders all the details about the pottery they have at auction  Why?  Because many of them know, or at least have a good idea, that the item is not the "Real McCoy".  Don't be fooled!  If a deal looks to go to be true, it probably is!  There are many wonderful sites on the internet that will explain how to determine if a piece is real.  Links to these sites are provided below.  When shopping online, be weary of auctions that employ the following sales tactics!

  Go Directly to:
 

Known Look-a-Likes

 
Low Double Tulip
Whaler Lamp
Pitcher Vase
Frog on Lotus
Frog on Lily Pad
Feather Mixing Bowl

Known REPRODUCTIONS

 

Butterfly Vase
Cookie Jars
Mailbox WP
Leaves & Berries WP
Bird on Flower WP
Uncle Sam Head vase
Miniature Fish Planter
Miniature NM turtle Planter
Frog on Lotus
Man's Best Friend
Leaf/Berry Fan Vase
Bird & Cherries Pitcher
Grape Vase
Heart Vase
Turtle planters
Scottie Dog planter

Known FAKES

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Cookie Jars
Lg. Victorian Shoe
Mini Victorian Shoe
Frog Wall Pocket
Shawnee Bird Wall Pocket
Shell Wall Pocket
  • If a seller has a private auction, BEWARE!  Chances are, they want to hide the email address of the bidder so that knowledgeable collectors can't contact the bidders to let them know they are bidding on a fake!
  • If a seller has his feedback hidden, think twice before buying!  Ask yourself WHAT is in his feedback that he doesn't want others to see!
  • Key phrases to watch for are, "It is impossible for any dealer to be an expert in every type of  antique" or "We do our best to describe the item, although we can't guarantee it's authenticity".  If you see these, again, ask yourself WHY!  It doesn't necessarily mean the item is not real, but it does give you reason to question!
  • Always check what other items are being sold by the dealer.  If you see that over the past month, he has sold 10 "Vintage" Uncle Sam Head Vases, you might want to email him and ask him what his definition of vintage is!
  • Shy away from items that are sold "AS IS", "No Returns", "No Refunds", "We do not sell on approval", and " ALL SALES FINAL".  With internet auctions, it is nearly impossible to "see" what you are really getting. I haven't met a reputable dealer yet, who doesn't guarantee his/her items.
Keep in mind also, that many people selling fakes and reproductions do so without knowing that the item is being misrepresented.  These people however, usually don't try to "hide" behind the auction or block out their feedback!

For information on identifying fakes/reproductions, specific pieces that were reproduced, etc., please check out these excellent sites we have found on the internet.