Article: How to spot a fake deck and why it matters

[Saule]

23 minutes ago, ilweran said:

 

I have mixed feelings about that, because I agree counterfeit decks shouldn't be bought and the artist deserves to be paid for their artwork. But if you inadvertently become the owner of a counterfeit deck what do you do? Passing it on is wrong, but throwing it away goes against the grain for me as well - it's wasteful and not an environmentally sound course of action. So I don't know. I feel very conflicted about it.

I've seen a suggestion to use these decks for journalling or spell work 🙂

[Arania]

7 hours ago, Saule said:

See, I believe it's unethical to continue using counterfeit decks even if they were given to you by somebody else. The art on the cards belongs to the artist, and you are using their property. The artist deserves to be compensated.

When the original buyers bought the decks, the thieves got their compensation for the tools and the paper that they used. The shipping companies got their compensation for bringing the deck to the buyer. Where's the artist's compensation for letting you use their art? And although the deck has been passed onto you, the artist still hasn't received their very deserved compensation.

That is not my problem. I am not losing any money and emotional investment over this. Who is compensating me? If there was a way to get the deck creator their 10% share they would make from a sale, that would be cool, but there isn't. I can't even find copyright info for some of the decks. It seems some creators directly sell through the Chinese market.

 

Not even the platforms I got those decks from care - basically, they can't enforce anything for such products. I would have to bring proof for every single deck I got from someone as to it being not original, who the original copy right holder is etc! The time alone I'd need to do that, no definitely not.

 

Additionally, this only works if you report it within the week after the sale. I do not even have names or contact info for the seller anymore. Plus, second hand market follows different rules than for original sellers. And for original sellers, the copyright holder would need to complain. I am unsure why this rule exists, it is different for big brands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Arania]

7 hours ago, Misterei said:

Now we have this horror described above ... and fake decks sold cheaply to consumers who desire everything and value nothing.

It quite breaks my heart.

Yeah, formerly you'd pick one or two decks and work with them. Now people buy 10 cheap fakes, don't know where to start and give up. It is terrible.

[Arania]

2 hours ago, DanielJUK said:

The deck publishers regularly do legal take-downs of sites illegally hosting the deck books. Every so often someone will link to them here and we must take it down as it is a breach of copyright.

It would be nice to have a digital version or pdf of deck LWB's but with the current piracy I don't see it happening, a good quality book with the deck is a sign it's the official version. I still only see offical LWB's in digital form from self-published decks.

I have gotten digital copies of LWBs from the publishers before when i asked. That was for decks I directly got from them though.

[Arania]

1 hour ago, Saule said:

I've seen a suggestion to use these decks for journalling or spell work 🙂

That's what I use most of my decks for... I do more spellwork and rituals than readings. Where is the difference?

[Chariot]

I wasn't aware that fake decks were such a big deal until after I joined this forum.  And yikes.

Looking over my collection (which isn't huge) I think I only have maybe two left that are probably 'fakes'—not bought on purpose.  I certainly have the 'fakes' radar working now, and won't buy any more.   And if I inadvertently do buy one online, I will return them to the seller and report why. 
 

It's just too easy to snaffle and reproduce somebody's work these digital days.  It's disheartening to read from well-loved tarot artists that they are no longer likely to produce tarot decks any more because they are losing out so quickly to these reproductions.  It's up to us, I guess, to keep getting the word out about fake decks, and how to recognise them.  (Learning about the significance of the Little White Book was an enlightening moment.)  So well done, Tarot, Tea and Me for bringing me up to speed on this issue.
 

I'm one of those people who never buys a used book if the original (by a living author) is still in print.  I do feel strongly that artists should be paid for their work.  Tarot artists are no different.

Edited November 28, 2023 by Chariot

[joy]

41 minutes ago, Arania said:

That is not my problem. I am not losing any money and emotional investment over this. Who is compensating me? If there was a way to get the deck creator their 10% share they would make from a sale, that would be cool, but there isn't. I can't even find copyright info for some of the decks. It seems some creators directly sell through the Chinese market.

 

If you can not find a copyright information well than it is quite obvious it was a stolen copy. All my decks have clear copyright instructions. Not sure about creators selling through Chinese market and I do not fully understand what you mean with that statement.

 

41 minutes ago, Arania said:

Not even the platforms I got those decks from care - basically, they can't enforce anything for such products. I would have to bring proof for every single deck I got from someone as to it being not original, who the original copy right holder is etc! The time alone I'd need to do that, no definitely not.

Additionally, this only works if you report it within the week after the sale. I do not even have names or contact info for the seller anymore. Plus, second hand market follows different rules than for original sellers. And for original sellers, the copyright holder would need to complain. I am unsure why this rule exists, it is different for big brands.

 

That is one of the biggest problems with these huge platforms and that is why we report it, if we see someone selling fake copies. The community has been successful, stores had to close on big sites because of us complaining.

 

[joy]

Ok now we have been discussing long enough the ethics of using fake decks can we all please go back to what this thread is about:
 

How to spot a fake deck and why it matters

 

thank you.

[Doktor_Zeus]

Think I've got another clue to look out for here.

 

When buying from an online retailer, check the name of the publisher. Most reputable tarot deck manufacturers will have a name in plain language, or the name of the author, but there are a lot of rip-off merchants who have names that don't make sense, often being just jumbles of random letters. There's a reason for this: whenever they get reported for selling knockoffs, they simply take down their company, rebrand it, and start listing again. Because the names are so throw-away they don't bother to come up with a sensible name each time. For example, this is probably a genuine deck:

 

 

...however, this (in my estimation) is likely to be a knockoff. Note also the massively reduced price, needlessly long description designed to catch as many searches as possible, and inaccurate description of the deck as 'Tarot'. The original listing also had other warning signs, such as not including a physical guidebook, giving an (allegedly expired) QR code to download a PDF copy of it instead, and numerous examples of awkward grammar and poor spelling in the content.

 

 

Another big giveaway in this example comes if I click on the brand name to display the other things this seller is offering. In the case of the first and probably genuine entry, I get a long list of other oracle decks in similar art styles. In the case of ACCLD, I get silver fabric. A Google search for the same name gives me products like lawn rollers, tower fans and neoprene pants!

[DanielJUK]

good spot @Doktor_Zeus, it's subtly not selling the real thing but the ACCLD deck.

Also the fake decks tend to be always third-party sellers. Direct from Amazon tends to be safer. Same with some other online websites.

[DanielJUK]

I've moved the going off-topic discussion posts into their own thread.

 

The posts stared with @Doktor_Zeus posting here -

 

Quote

I know the feeling. I have one myself that I'd love to make as a physical copy, but I'm too scared that I wouldn't be able to break even on the printing so I only use it digitally.

 

and now continues over here -

 

[Guest]

I don't know if this has been mentioned here before, but if a deck is sold in an unofficial edition, then it's 100% fake. 

 

For example, the Tarot de La Nuit has only been released in Lo Scarabeo's signature special two-part box. Any edition housed in your average thin cardboard box is bootleg.

 

The Modern Spellcaster's Tarot is only available as a deck and book set. If you find a brand new one that's deck only - then it's fake. 

 

The Tarot Del Toro is only available housed in a telescopic box. Any version in a mundane cardboard box is counterfeit. 

 

The Heaven and Earth Tarot has never been released in a tin box, and is certainly never officially available gilt-edged in green! Yes, Virginia, such abominations do exist, and if you see one in the wild you'll know what it is. 

[Misterei]

3 hours ago, Akhilleus said:

The Heaven and Earth Tarot has never been released in a tin box, and is certainly never officially available gilt-edged in green! Yes, Virginia, such abominations do exist, and if you see one in the wild you'll know what it is. 

This sounds like the Lightseers Tarot in a Tin I accidentally purchased on Amazon. So far my only counterfeit ... I'm usually not taken in by con artists ... but funny you should mention the tin and the green edging. *sigh*

[Guest]

6 minutes ago, Misterei said:

This sounds like the Lightseers Tarot in a Tin I accidentally purchased on Amazon. So far my only counterfeit ... I'm usually not taken in by con artists ... but funny you should mention the tin and the green edging. *sigh*

 

Oh wow, didn't mean to dredge up that memory @Misterei. It's just that Heaven and Earth has been my exclusive go-to deck for my personal readings this year, so when I came across it in a tin I was like 🙃.

[Misterei]

1 hour ago, Akhilleus said:

... It's just that Heaven and Earth has been my exclusive go-to deck for my personal readings this year, so when I came across it in a tin I was like 🙃.

That's how I got conned. I like Lightseers, but I wasn't so familiar with the deck or the creator.

Like I can spot a fake Lo scarabeo or a fake Valenza ... but since I purchased my legit full-sized Lightseers on Amazon ... I was unsuspecting of the fake and didn't know Chris-Anne NEVER published a tin version [her fans educated me after!].

I truly feel for newbies who aren't as familiar with the various companies and creators ...

[Chariot]

I totally abhor the idea of counterfeit decks.   There seems to be no limit to how awful these producers are, and how sneaky they can be with their marketing. Some marketing is blatant, but other ploys are less easy to spot—like the deck in a tin, thing ...which I might easily have fallen for. These counterfeiters are discouraging established artists from creating any more decks at all, simply because they will now be instantly stolen and sold more cheaply than the originals. The artists then get no money at all from what they worked hard to create.

It's easy enough to spot most counterfeit decks, once you know what to look for.  As @Doktor_Zeus pointed out, check who is 'publishing' it.  If necessary, research the deck via YouTube unboxing videos. They usually are quite reliable about using real decks, and showing how the decks are packaged, and being clear about the publisher.  And if you're on Amazon, check to see what OTHER things that so-called brand is selling.  (Jaw drops....)   It's also worth remembering that old adage: if it seems too good to be true—it probably is!  If the set price is cheap or just a bit too reasonable  ...beware.

However, it's also a mistake to believe that buying a genuine deck from a re-seller will benefit the artist. The artist gets no money from the re-seller either! If you re-sell an original deck on eBay, YOU—and only you—are getting the money for it.  This benefits the artist ONLY in that it discourages counterfeiters.

WHEN a deck is still in print, by all means buy the original, from either the artist themselves or their legitimate publisher.  Yes, it will cost more than buying a counterfeit, but the artist gets the money, and the incentive to keep going.

If the deck is out of print, then it's okay to buy from a legitimate re-seller.  The re-sellers price their decks on the principle of scarcity and demand—like any antiques or collectibles—so they can be incredibly expensive. You may get a bargain; you probably will end up paying way more than a popular deck cost when it was still in print!  Let the buyer beware.  But do try to buy originals 'new,' if you possibly can. That's what artists need, to keep going.

On a cheery note—if you have to save up to buy an expensive deck from an artist or genuine publisher—or a legitimate re-seller—this should be its own 'de-enabler' exercise!  Just think of the shelf space you'll save!  🙂

Edited December 24, 2023 by Chariot

[gregory]

6 hours ago, Chariot said:

If the deck is out of print, then it's okay to buy from a legitimate re-seller.  

 

Are you saying it's OK to buy a knock-off from a re-seller ? Because no - that's NOT OK.

[Doktor_Zeus]

53 minutes ago, gregory said:

 

Are you saying it's OK to buy a knock-off from a re-seller ? Because no - that's NOT OK.

 

I thought they meant it's okay to buy an original deck from a reseller, but only if you can't get it from the publishers, which is a little harsh. There are plenty of shops that sell decks at RRP and buy them direct from the publishers. But maybe the point was merely not to buy second-hand decks (especially overpriced ones) if you can get a new one?

[PathWalker]

1 hour ago, gregory said:

 

Are you saying it's OK to buy a knock-off from a re-seller ? Because no - that's NOT OK.

No - I don't think that is what they mean by "legitimate"

They mean folks like me, who sell on legitimate decks they have fallen out of love with .

[gregory]

1 hour ago, Doktor_Zeus said:

 

I thought they meant it's okay to buy an original deck from a reseller, but only if you can't get it from the publishers, which is a little harsh. There are plenty of shops that sell decks at RRP and buy them direct from the publishers. But maybe the point was merely not to buy second-hand decks (especially overpriced ones) if you can get a new one?

 

That does seem a little harsh. But I, too, object to people selling in-print decks on ebay for $75 when they are still available from the publisher for $20.

 

1 hour ago, PathWalker said:

No - I don't think that is what they mean by "legitimate"

They mean folks like me, who sell on legitimate decks they have fallen out of love with .

 

Good - as long as that is what they mean, I retract !

[Chariot]

3 hours ago, gregory said:

 

Are you saying it's OK to buy a knock-off from a re-seller ? Because no - that's NOT OK.

No, that's definitely not what I meant!  🙂 Sorry if I gave that impression.  I meant it's okay to buy a second-hand (or brand new) original from a re-seller.  I have a few original decks that I might decide to sell, for example.  They are still original decks; it's just that the artist won't get any money from them being re-sold.  But they aren't knock-offs or counterfeit.  

Counterfeit ones should go straight in the bin.  It's easy to make a mistake, but no excuse for passing it on.

Edited December 24, 2023 by Chariot

[Chariot]

2 hours ago, Doktor_Zeus said:

 

I thought they meant it's okay to buy an original deck from a reseller, but only if you can't get it from the publishers, which is a little harsh. There are plenty of shops that sell decks at RRP and buy them direct from the publishers. But maybe the point was merely not to buy second-hand decks (especially overpriced ones) if you can get a new one?

Yeah, thanks.  That is what I meant.  

Edited December 24, 2023 by Chariot

[Chariot]

14 hours ago, Doktor_Zeus said:

 

I thought they meant it's okay to buy an original deck from a reseller, but only if you can't get it from the publishers, which is a little harsh. There are plenty of shops that sell decks at RRP and buy them direct from the publishers. But maybe the point was merely not to buy second-hand decks (especially overpriced ones) if you can get a new one?

Oh, I see where I made my mistake.  By 're-seller' I didn't mean a legitimate store that is an approved outlet for the deck, and has bought their copies directly from the publisher!  Of course, buy from them.  It's one of the ways an artist and publisher gets their decks sold.

By re-seller, I meant a person who owned the genuine deck themselves, but is passing it on.  

I just did this myself, with an unwrapped brand-new deck.  It was a duplicate for me, so I gave it to a local shop to pass it on.  (I'm not interested in becoming a seller.  I just want the deck to find a good home!)  But the artist won't get any money from the shop, if they sell it on.  The deck has already been bought and paid for.

 

If a buyer is really interested in getting money to the artist (and boosting the artist's sales figures, which can impact on further projects) they should probably buy a brand-new deck directly from the artist, or publisher, or publisher-approved outlet that keeps sales records via barcode, etc, rather than my deck from the wee shop I gave it to. 

Mine IS an original deck, though.   No counterfeiters in the equation.

Edited December 25, 2023 by Chariot