Manions International Auction House severely misrepesentented and counterfeited item. Ripoff! Kansas City Kansas

Kansas City, Kansas is located in Wyandotte County. If you have anything in writing from Manions' indicating that this purchase was "the real thing", you might want to contact the District Attorney and find out if you have any recourse for a fradulent sale. The corporation is still listed with the Kansas Secretary of State. This is from the Secretary of State's website:

Business Entity ID Number: 0817379

THE MANIONS INTERNATIONAL AUCTION HOUSE, INC.
4411 N 67TH ST
KANSAS CITY, KS 66104
Close Corp [N]
Tax Year End [12]
Date of Incorporation [07/21/1983]
Last Correct Annual Report [12/2003]
Next Annual Report Due Date [04/15/2005]
Extension [00/00/0000]
Forfeiture [07/15/2005]
Expiration [12/31/9999]
State/Country Formation [KS]
Resident Agent
SCUYLER M.P. KURLBAUM

3853 N 63RD
KANSAS CITY, KS 66106-0000
County: WY
Business Entity Type
DOM: FOR PROFIT CORPORATION

Business Entity Status
CORPORATION IS ACTIVE AND IN GOOD STANDING

I came across this old report while doing an Internet search, and I am very sorry to hear you had a problem.

The company has recently undergone a change in ownership, and we are working hard to rebuild the business. I am not familiar with the specifics of your situation, so can't comment on them directly.

I can say that in the arena of collecting militaria, there is sometimes a fine line between what is considered original and what is considered a reproduction. One expert says an item is an original, another equally respected individual says it is a reproduction - who is right? This is why there is never any substitution for plain and simple education in your specific area of collecting interest: buy all of the reference books that you can, stay up to date on developments by joining different online collecting community, and attend militaria collecting events whenever you can to see items first hand and speak with others who share similar interests.

However, the fraudulent individuals who reproduce many of these historical artifacts are getting very good at their craft. This makes the possibility for error - even by an advanced collector - even greater. This is why Manion's has a very liberal return policy. Sadly, reading the date this report was posted, the window for returning the item has closed. We do not own the items sold on our auction, as they are consigned by collectors throughout the world, therefore we cannot offer an indefinite return policy.

Again, the company has undergone a recent change in ownership and we will NEVER knowingly offer a reproduction item for sale as an original. We regret hearing you had a problem in the past and would like nothing more than to regain your business.

If there is anything I can do to assist you in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me personally.

Andrew
Manion's International Auction House