Thread by @jenoGOs, how collectors get signed albums and how to make sure its real:applies [...]

how collectors get signed albums and how to make sure its real:

applies to majority of kpop groups

* all pics used ctto *

how do fans get signed albums:

two main ways:
1. fansigns
- usually real regardless of in person / online bc the idol is signing the album in front of your face & to your name
- however buying a resale fansign album can lead to scams because this was not signed in front of you

downside of fansign albums:
it is extremely expensive to get into a fansign. many fans have said that they bought 40 albums and didnt win
the avg price is about $20-25 per album
$800-1000 + shipping and they didnt win
its a big investment but if you have the funds go for it

second way: promotion albums
- given to producers, staff, other idols & any other person affiliated with the group
- after promotions they sell the albums to fans
- used to be good mark of authenticity bc it comes directly from the company
- promo signing:

however these are no longer guaranteed to be real:
- manager signed albums (manager signs on the behalf of the artist) is common especially in sm groups

the picture on the left is a signed album from the members
the picture on the right is signed by the managers

both are “real” in the sense that they r from the company but most people consider manager signed albums to be less authentic

another way people verify albums is through the stickers on the backs promo albums
left is a promotion album & the right is a normal album sold in stores

the left has a silver sticker that says bimae (비매) and also a not for sale sticker. the normal album has a golden C1 sticker sticker and a barcode.
these used to be the key indicators for a promo album but now you can buy fake bimae stickers to mock a promo album

not for sale stickers are quite easy to replicate too however some companies have started printing the not for sale section on the actual album instead of it being a sticker
example being these albums

another indicator is that some companies put phone numbers on the back of the albums
its not extremely common but it is there

ur best hope in finding a real signed album is by cross checking signatures with someone who is familiar with them
another way is cross checking with photocards because most photocards have the idol’s signatures on the back

c1 / c2 signed albums do exist and are typically won through fan events (like superstar games)
however recently instead of c1 golden stickers it became this white komca sticker

another way of getting signed albums is through mwave
this isnt a typical way of getting signed albums because a lot of groups dont do it but jyp groups like itzy and skz do along with many others
these come from the artists and company themselves

downside of mwave signed albums is that it is easy to get a messy signature because the idols are signing so many albums. they get tired or their hand starts to cramp.
also shipping is EXTREMELY slow (typically you wait two months after placing order)

it is also easy to forge an mwave album because these signatures are on normal albums NOT promo so a scammer can easily buy a blank album and forge signatures and claim they are from mwave.
it is VERY important to cross check your signatures with these

sellers that sell signed albums (pros and cons)

1. handdollmaking (ebay)

pros:
- has access to many albums from many diff groups
- ships quick
- 100% positive feedback
- provides in depth pics of albums & their condition

cons:
- shipping is expensive
- little sm artist albums

2. chaepeach (instagram)

pros:
- has many different signed albums from diff groups
- good amount of positive feedback
- sells other rare items like polaroids

cons:
- tends to put items for bid or qyop
- fixed price is usually expensive
- has quite a few negative reviews as well

3. m.s_kpop (instagram)

pros:
- has albums from variety of groups
- good amount of good feedback
- can ship to your kr address
- ships pretty quick

cons:
- rude if you get on his bad side
- prices can be expensive
- only accepts friends & family payment (no buyer protection)

- has had a rumor where he forges messages onto signed albums pretending that they were written by the members themselves so i would recommend avoiding any albums with a message
- tends to sell albums that could be fake (claims its from an event or from a friend)

4. hallyusuperstore (ebay)

pros:

- many different GIRL GROUP albums
- sells other merch like photocards and polaroids
- also sells event merch like concert merch and photobooks
- 100% positive feedback

cons:
- very little boy group items sold
- shipping can be expensive

5. mojasajo (ebay)

pros:
- variety of albums
- 100% positive feedback
- ships quickly

cons:
- shown to sell manager signed albums/forged
- shipping & album prices quite expensive
- doesnt reserve albums for buyers (first come first serve)

**best to cross check w this seller**

6. riri_orders (twitter)

pros:
- good feedback
- ships quickly
- has a variety of albums
- cheap prices

cons:
- only does claims so if you are not fast enough to claim you dont get it (no reserving ahead of time)

seller 2 and 6 are based in usa so if you are american you can get cheaper and quicker shipping with those sellers
there could be other sellers too but there are just the main ones i am aware of

for crosschecking i recommend you ask a gom that specializes in that specific group there is a good chance they know the member’s signatures well
the method of comparing with the photocard mentioned prior also works

notes;
- be sure to check to make sure the signature is not outdated (idols change their signatures all the time)
- check to see if there r any differences in pen consistency (if all of the signatures r bold its likely they were all signed by the same person so forged or manager)

- ebay in particular you have to be extremely careful there are several sellers who consistently sell forged albums

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