Auction websites currently have a lot of counterfeit guitars that look like genuine brand name products, and feature brand detailing like headstock logos for Ibanez, Jackson etc.  These guitars do not offer the feel, sound or quality that people expect from companies like Ibanez.  In fact, what you are getting are cheap nasty imitation guitars. 

If a "brand name" guitar is up for auction or on a buy it now for a rediculously low price which seems to good to be true, and is a fraction of what a new or used brand name instrument would typically sell for, or if the postage costs are more than the price of the guitar itself, its more than likely a counterfeit of a brand name.

The best protection against being ripped off or disappointed is to buy your new or used brand name guitars and instruments from  genuine reputable ebayer or dealer who sells at realistic prices, where the listing make sense, and the photos match the descriptions of the instruments advertised, and who also have excellent feedback from other ebayer who have bought genuine brand name guitars and parts from them.

Please don't get me wrong, as an ebayer myself, there are loads of decent and genuine guitars and instruments on ebay and other auction sites like this one, some for very good prices (new and used), but they are realistic prices and are not up for sale for buy it nows of £1.99 with £199.00 postage.  If in doubt do some research, check the prices and descriptions advertised against retailer websites on the internet, or in magazines, or even by visiting your local music shop, ask the auction seller some relevant questions regarding the item advertised etc, and after doing all this if you still have doubt in your mind about the item being sold, then the best thing to do is stay away from the item and look for another.

Regards

Guitars-Amps-Instruments