Vectis Auctions...

[Billy Boy]

I've happily purchased a few vintage Star Wars lots from the Vectis Auctions in the UK, as I previously I mentioned in this RS thread!

Vectis gained quite a bit of publicity from their Palitoy Auction last year!

Sadly concerns about Vectis seem to be rife concerning their sale of deceptively graded and obvious reproduction items? The matter was discussed in this recent RS thread!    

I emailed Vectis directly pointing out my observations on the issue and then made this query on their own forums! I've now waited over a month and still haven't had a response?        

Vectis is a major player in the UK! It is connected to the 'Barry Potter' Collectables Fairs and the well established Collectors Gazette paper! Sadly their knowledge on vintage Star Wars is either very limited indeed, OR they're fully aware of selling fakes and overgrading items?        

I obviously feel that this 'problem' will only get worse? =

Hence I ask anyone who shares my concerns to email Vectis with your personal opinions and respond to the thread that I have started!

+ WARNING! = They're expanding to 'across the pond'!!!  

IF we don't make our concerns 'public' we'll be having to deal with crap like this RF Boba Fett, for years to come!

Bill  

[Thomas Grey]

Thank you for the heads up Billy Boy.

It's always good to have others watching your back. I must admit I am not familiar with Vectis or their services, but I am more aware and appreciate your inquiry and the measures you have taken to attempt to make the collecting and auction world a trustful and reliable place.

[Billy Boy]

Andrew Reed from Vectis contacted me today! This is how I responded! =

Hello Andrew!

I had originally emailed Vectis about this 'situation' over a month ago!


I've sadly observed quite a few 'suspect' items sold through Vectis over recent years!

Recently a few re-carded items with have 'sneaked through' like this SW Death Squad Commander with REPRO bubble! Potential bidders were warned in various forums about this one though! =
http://www.vectis.co.uk/auctiondet.php3?item_id=195721&retPage=280104

You can compare it to this authentic example Vectis auctioned too! =
http://www.vectis.co.uk/auctiondet.php3?item_id=195714&retPage=280104

Most shockingly of all is this OBVIOUSLY FAKE Rocket Firing Boba Fett you've sold THREE TIMES!!! =
http://www.vectis.co.uk/auctiondet.php3?id=193767
http://www.vectis.co.uk/auctiondet.php3?id=63157
http://www.vectis.co.uk/auctiondet.php3?id=1821

Genuine examples with COAs actually sell for thousands! This was auctioned by Vectis as an 'authentic' item, when it's quite clearly NOT!

Items like this are simply ridiculous! Fellow collectors were warned about this figure twice too! =
http://www.vectis.co.uk/auctiondet.php3?id=93204
http://www.vectis.co.uk/auctiondet.php3?id=65095

It's certainly not a prototype item! In fact funnily it's just exhibiting signs of plastic degradation!!!

As for 'accuracy'... most collectors are very wary of the grading scale you currently use and how you apply it to vintage carded Star Wars figures and boxed items! In fact it's this general lack of accuracy that puts off a lot of potential bidders!

What personal experience have you had in collecting vintage Star Wars items and toys in general? Items are often vaguely classified and described?

How the sale of FAKE items like the Rocket Fett figure have been able to slip the net is beyond me? This is honestly quite a serious problem!

Kind regards

Bill Rodgers


I'm hoping it might help them revaluate their current approach to vintage Star Wars auctions?  

Bill

[DSJ™]

Well this is certainly interesting. Thanks for posting this Bill. Nothing like stopping people scamming buyers.

I must look more in the completed section of the site. A few pages to look at.

Good luck Bill.