You will need to do alot of reading and research about the history of China-talk to collectors,see the collections of snuff bottles or embroiered things when they come to your area. I hired an appraiser to come in and look at alot of the collars and shoes I have (available in my store-Sandras Treasure of the Sea) Also I have found not everyone agrees on what an item is or how old it is. It has been a really hard job-lots of internet searches and hours of time.I have traveled to the areas in China looking for things to buy and bring home. In the end I brought home many things that I loved. Lotus Shoes,Embroidered Collars,earmuffs,and other Special pieces. I found clocks from the Mao revolution time(every family had one)and other European Clocks in China from the different groups that were living there. I has been a great experience.

I have been collecting all things metal for 40 years, I am a purveyor of metal with value, I collect coins, guns, knives and swords. I have several samurai swords brought back from WW2, and a few I picked up here and there. I know there are Chinese rip offs,,,,BUT, they all arent, how many Japanese soldiers with swords went to China? Yes, a lot. And these blades still exist, redone with new fittings, some arent good jobs but many are excellent swordsmiths with years of expeirence, they are selling new swords and advertiseing as such. The old blades are easily identifible, usually the hammon is gone but the hada is there, many are valuble. They were left behind by soldiers whom had to leave them in a pile as they surrendered, now where did they all go,,thousands and thousands of blades. The antique shops on E Bay from China arent all rip offs, any idiot can tell a machine blade from a handmade. If you want decoration, they have, if you want tameshigiri ready, they have, all for a price, a good folded HRC55 or better will cost $300 at the low end and $750 at the high end, actually, the Chinese have made cutting targets, affordable,and we have never seen as many people playing tameshigiri. Be careful,study the pics and write the store with questions, just dont ask where they got these blades, thats the 100,000 dollar question.Learn about them before buying,become knowledgeable about blades, and the Chinese found swords might surprise you. Many collectors are badmouthing them, because the value of their old sword has gone down, due to the newfound Chinese market.

eBay buyers need warranties offered for their large purchases to feel confidient that they are covered. Most big sale items are overlooked because thier is no warranty offered from the seller. This needs to be changed so that the buyers feel that they can buy with confidence. Buyers need to be covered in the event that their product breaks or just not working once it arrive at their house. Look and see if the seller offers this and if they don’t email them and try and them started Seal the deal with a warranty!

Even though some of the copies are fair to good immitations of some top manufacturers they are that & nothing more ….dont go there u will lose money in the end…….especially with companies such as FriskMart etc …. the products come mainly come from the same source…..& companies such as the above are con artists…..already Fraud/criminal charges are being laid against them….

Dont waste your time or money buy only from established dealers or pvt individuals with good feedback…..

This will save you in the long run good luck & dont buy Chinese Fakes!

USS NORTH CAROLINA if you ever get a chance, you must visit to the USS NORTH CAROLINA she is moored in the cape fear river , just across from the city of Wilmington North Carolina . She was mothballed after the war - never receiving up grades or post war modifications - she is truly one of the finest living history museums / war memorials in the nation . You will go below decks - check out the big 18″ guns ….. You can even operate the elevation wheels on one of the 40 mm antiaircraft weapons . If you are lucky , you might get to meet LEO , one of the ships ‘guides’ this ‘ old salt ‘ was stationed on the North Carolina from her very first ‘ shake down ‘ cruse , through the end of the war ….. When the ship was anchored along side the USS Missouri , in Tokyo bay …………….., witnessing the surrender of Japan . He has more than a few war stories to tell , and if your lucky ,….. he might be happy to share some of them with you . The big ship is the closest thing you can get to traveling back in time ….. I consider the old battle wagon the ultimate collectable …. While she is a bit too large to keep on your shelve …. You can visit her , just about any time you want to !

It is the fact known by sellers and not always understood by bidders,that eBay often does not give the automated save on postage with combined multiple wins mailing. So it is fine tip for buyers before paying for single item (even if You received the bill for won item!) to ask seller to wait for more of potential winning bids within soonest hours or days. After the winning of a few items make the request for total (automated payment with PayPal will just count all separate postages together) and most sellers (not all) will gladly combine the postage.
I also advice sellers to combine postage when it is possible,and trust me,this honesty will be valued by thankful buyers within many and many returns to Your items and many new purchases in future. Sellers might also be willing to mention along with the billing that buyer can wait for more items to end to save on mailing costs.