It's not just online auctions. You have to be extremely careful at train shows too. I have seen table after table with fakes and various restorations that sellers try to pass off as originals. These sellers always seem to hold themselves out as experts, and they sure know enough to price every item as if it were original.
I confront these sellers every time with evidence their item is fake or restored. Invariably, they suddenly feign ignorance and act like they know nothing about trains to get off the hook. My favorite BS line is "I don't know anything about the item, I'm selling it for a friend". After I walk away, they continue to try to pass it off as original on the next potential buyer.
I get very frustrated at the amount of time that I spend having to pick through all the fakes and repaints. Finding an original 2341 is difficult. Wish you the best of luck.
