by: Gary Prestwich

With the popularity of Beanie Babies, there is a problem with counterfeit or copy beanie babies on the market. Some copies are easy to spot, but some are getting quite clever in their attempts to sell less than true quality products. To be sure of only buying the genuine article make sure that the seller can be easily contacted and try to ensure that they are a reputable dealer who shows references on their website and feedback from other customers.

If you are already a collector then you will probably know what to look for in a genuine article, but if you are not familiar with the real thing then it is best to seek advice before buying so that you avoid the disappointment of falling for a replica. There are many Beanie Baby shows which are a good place to get the feel for the fabric and feel of the beanie. It is worth remembering that replicas are usually imperfect copies in more than one respect, so there may be several tell-tale signs of being a counterfeit.

The tags are usually the biggest give away for a replica, try to learn about the different generation hang tags and tush tags and the way that the information is printed on them and the wording that is used.

http://www.babybeaniecollectables.com