Bureau urges caution with Jackson memorabilia.

Byline: Ilene Aleshire The Register-Guard

The Better Business Bureau warned consumers Tuesday to beware of overpaying for Michael Jackson memorabilia.

"Collectibles associated with Michael Jackson are selling at a premium right now," said Robert Andrew, CEO of the BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington. But, he said, "Most of these items will not increase in value in the future."

The BBB said that, immediately after Jackson's death, a flood of Jackson-related items hit the market. Before Jackson's death, about 200 to 400 Jackson memorabilia items were listed each day on eBay, according to Smartmoney figures, the BBB said. The morning after Jackson's death, this skyrocketed to almost 20,000 items, including autographs, posters, gloves "and even a Cheeto which supposedly predicted the death of the pop star," the BBB said.

Commemorative items such as T-shirts and special-edition magazines also are being mass produced now, the BBB said. Rarity is a big factor in the value of collectibles, the BBB said, so these items are not likely to increase in value over time.

Andrew compared the frenzy around Jackson memorabilia and collectibles to that following the death of Princess Diana. Commemorative items that initially sold for high prices then can now be found at garage sales for $1, he said.

Kyle Kavas, the Oregon spokeswoman for the BBB, said that the organization goes on the alert when a big thing like this happens.

"That's when people start going on the Internet and looking for the best deals, for something rare. We are taking a pro-active approach," Kavas said.

The BBB offered some tips for fans seeking to buy Michael Jackson mementos:

Get educated. Collectors should research the value of Michael Jackson items before they buy.

Confirm authenticity. The BBB acknowledged that verifying authenticity is often hard. Autographs can be verified by a third party, but for other items it gets down to asking questions, such as how the seller obtained the item. "If the seller can't answer simple questions ... walk away," the BBB said.

Use a credit card. Credit cards should always be used for online purchases, the BBB said. If it turns out the seller committed fraud, the buyer can dispute the charge with the credit card company and may receive some reimbursement.

Buy from a reputable seller. If you are buying online, the BBB said, you should look for the BBB seal on Web sites and click on the seal to confirm it is legitimate. You also can check out a company at www.bbb.org. If you are buying on eBay, read buyer reviews, the BBB said. "When shopping on craigslist, go local and never wire money as payment," the BBB said.

Don't believe everything a seller says. For example, sellers may claim an item is a "limited edition," the BBB said. If the item is being widely advertised, however, chances are it's pretty common, and not likely to appreciate in value, the agency said.