And now, for the lovely English Mum, and anyone else with a passionate interest in teapots/scams/the concept of caveat emptor, I present a series of photos of my dodgy teapot, contrasted with the genuine article. Prepare to be (mildly) outraged.
Blurry printing on side of pot
More blurs plus random orange splodge
Fake makers' mark saying 'Stindia' instead of 'Ostindia'
Pale blue fake lid, with off-centre printing running into brown edging
And now, some photos of the genuine article. These are close-ups of a coffee pot I bought on good old English eBay, which doesn’t sell fakes and will actually give you a refund if you are ripped off. Not that I’m bitter. Much.
Genuine lid, dark blue, clear and even printing not running into brown line
Genuine makers' mark, saying "Ostindia'
Genuine coffeepot lid next to fake teapot lid
Genuine coffeepot nose-to-nose with the fake teapot
And, last but not least, a photo of a genuine Ostindia teapot. It’s not mine, alas:
The genuine article. Sniff
Ok, ok, I know my teapot is roughly the same colour, and it’s definitely the same shape, and it’s still pretty much as cute as a genuine teapot. And nobody died, and it really doesn’t matter one single jot. But it is a fake, and I paid for the real thing.
I’ll stop going on about it now. Really. I promise.
February 8th, 2012 at 12:07 pm
It’s not nice to know you have been had, particularly as you were charged for the genuine article and I think Tradera should be jolly ashamed of themselves. But it’s still a pretty teapot and quite a good fake, even if a trifle imperfect. As you say, nobody died and sometimes we need to put things in perspective. Things can always be replaced: people can’t.
February 8th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
You’re absolutely right, Addy. I shall just have to be brave! And, as you say, it is a nice teapot after all – thanks
February 8th, 2012 at 12:20 pm
Oh dear…
Shall we get up a posse and go bitch-slap Tradera? Thieving teapot cheats!
In other crockery news, Adrian broke the lid of the sugar pot yesterday… *sigh*
February 8th, 2012 at 2:03 pm
OMG, I think we need to set up a Distressed Crockery Owners’ support group – and go and bitch-slap Tradera too. Hope you are coping with the tragic loss of the sugar pot … I know where you can get another one … xx
February 8th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
I’m so flattered!! Gosh it really is very blurry and crapola isn’t it. What a con. Oh, and sorry for being so nosy
February 10th, 2012 at 10:20 am
You’re not nosy at all – I was dying to show the world the fake teapot and you gave me a lovely excuse. Yes, it is a bit crapola but I am learning to love it x