By Amy E. Feldman
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - How do you know if a collectible you buy is the real deal, and what can you do if it isn’t?
A bloody sock worn by Curt Schilling while pitching in game 2 of the 2004 World Series for the Boston Red Socks (hmmm. Red socks. I get it.) sold at auction for $92,613. Yes, as if a used sweat sock weren’t valuable enough, it was bloody.
So, like me, you may have a few questions. One, how stupid are people? Two, how do you know it’s Schilling’s blood or sock, and three , if you buy a collectible, how do you know if it’s real and what can you do if it isn’t?
There’s no answer to number one. As for question two, Schilling himself put the sock up for auction. But question three is the big one for most people.
First, buy from a reputable seller, whether you’re buying from a famous auction house or off of eBay. Do research on the item you want so you’ll be an educated consumer. For valuable items on eBay, consider purchasing fraud protection and pay by credit card. If, once you get it home, you have reason to believe it’s a fake, take it to a dealer for appraisal. If it’s confirmed a fake, go back to eBay to complain, or if not bought on eBay, complain to your credit card company.
If all else fails, you can file a lawsuit against the seller – and get some bleach for that bloody, sweaty sock.