Counterfeit Decks and how to spot them

[@peggysews]

This video needs a million views.

[@caveman3021]

Many of us DO care! I would never knowingly buy a fake deck, but some of those knockoffs would fool many people who know tarot, nevermind those who don't. Thanks for these pointers as they will be a big help to many of us 😃👍

[@jamieloom22]

Thank you for making this video, we all need to be careful when purchasing decks.

[@spideywebz5089]

Thank you for this. I was stung by a seller who used a photo of the genuine Deviant Moon deck for a price not so far out from the genuine article. I had my suspicions immediately - so checked out the author's website and he had an article on how to spot a fake Deviant Moon. I now have the authentic article, and have reported as many counterfeits on eBay as I can find. This has to stop.

[@magickalmooncat]

Thank you for making this very important video, and it's sad to see so many artists being affected by the counterfeit deck market. One time I was looking for a deck and came across a website that appeared to be an online tarot shop, and so many of their decks were listed as on sale which got me so excited at first. But then there were too many decks listed at the same price, when I know it just wasn't possible for those particular decks... and that's when things started looking suspicious. That and the QR code guidebook thing. Doing the research and due diligence is absolutely crucial!

[@the_hermits_cave]

It breaks my heart. This is so good of you though, Ana, in raising awareness. Thank you 🙏🏻❤️

[@anatourian8084]

Thanks Simon, I know it’s not going to fix the issue. But if more people are aware it might reduce it a bit

[@gypsysoul8223]

Thank you Ana! It is so important to have you as a deck creator speak out on such an troubling issue. I am a huge fan of your art and own several of your beautiful decks😊 Blessings ~ Shauna

[@anatourian8084]

Thanks Shauna, I appreciate it! I figured it couldn’t hurt to bring it more to light 😊Hopefully it helps!

[@SunshineDawn7]

Hi Ana ❤I hope you are doing well. I am sorry people are ripping off your decks and everyone else's too ! It really makes me mad ! I started noticing an increase in these fakes during covid. These were very good tips for people to be able to check out before purchasing. It used to be mainly on Ebay. Then i noticed this happening on Amazon and couldn't believe it. I always trusted Amazon but when Jeff Bezos stepped down as ceo the company went down hill. Then i saw it happening on Etsy and i was stunned ! I started checking vin numbers also. I just think it is so wrong for people to do this ! Artist's work so hard and now they might not be able to make the money they deserve because people are buying the knock offs ! I hope a lot of people see this video and start to understand what is happening because many new people to Tarot don't even realize what is going on. I am really looking forward to your Beautiful Tarot of Echos 🥰You are an Amazing Artist and i hope someone puts a stop to the scam decks ! Much love and many Blessings to you ! 💖💖🙏🙏

[@anatourian8084]

Thank you ❤ Yes, that’s so true, Etsy is full of them now. I found pretty much every seller there was selling fakes of my Lenormand. It’s very disappointing. They’re all purchasing from the same source though.

[@deelaity2917]

Dear Ana, thank you for your candor and carefully measured approach to this divisive subject. I'm sorry that as a deck creator your life is becoming increasingly fraught, due to these pernicious, fraudulent activities . My 'due diligence' checklist has grown and has become more rigorous over the years. I urge everyone looking to buy a deck, please take a few moments to ensure the deck you're considering is not a counterfeit. If it is its only purpose is to cheat the creators ( Ana Tourian and many others) out of their livelihood.

[@anatourian8084]

I know it's not an easy subject, and it's never black or white, the truth is somewhere in the middle. However, the more knowledge we gain the better we spot the fakes. Thanks you!

[@CarolAdcock-kg3tg]

OMG I had NO idea this was a thing! However I should have known, everything is a thing and counterfeiting is everywhere. This is so sad. After following you and watching you create your beautiful artwork, the hours it takes etc., it's awful that a deck would be sold for $2, $10 etc. or any amount as a Counterfeit. Thank you for sharing this information Ana. I've been following Closely the Creation of the "Tarot of Echos" (as well as all your other Art Creations) I can't wait to add it to its companion "Oracle of Echos" I cherish my 1st Oracle Deck and when I see it, I think of you the beautiful woman who created it.

[@anatourian8084]

Thanks Carol, I know it's tough to even make out which are fake sometimes. We really are fighting an upstream battle, but hey, we can at least try! I'm so happy to hear you're enjoying the creation of the Tarot of Echoes. I'm quite excited about it! And of course I'm going to have to see how to go about it not getting ripped off before I even print it. Yes, it's a thing. They do that now.

[@CarolAdcock-kg3tg]

@Ana Tourian I just don't understand how that could happen before you even go to print. I'm not sure how you distribute them. I feel like my Oracle of Echos (1st Edition) was mailed directly from you? If you do mail directly, perhaps you can do something unique, Wrap in Tissue with a special sticker w/Water Color, some quick Ribbon tied around the deck with Deck 1 of 1000 (or whatever) or your Signature on the Box 😍 ??? I'm sure you've thought of this already. Something that you could say unless it has .... it is Not an original it is a Counterfeit Deck. Truly a Spiritual Tarot Reader wouldn't want a Counterfeit Copy...those Decks would have some Bad Karma IMO.

[@lazarus30001]

Thanks for the clues ;-)

[@KimberlyLetsGo]

Sadly, there are many who just can't afford the cost of legit decks. They are so expensive now. I suggest saving up and getting that deck you really want because you will get so much more enjoyment out of it than you will a bootleg one.

[@silvermyth2119]

Hi Ana! Would it be safe ordering the Tarot of the Abyss from Amazon? The reason I ask is because when I was hunting for the Tarot of Magical Correspondences by Eugene Vinitski, I became suspicious. It turned out that the deck on Amazon was a counterfeit. I ended buying it from Eugene’s store on Etsy.

[@anatourian8084]

Hi! You can get it directly from the US Games website or Amazon. Just make sure it comes in a 2 part box that doesn’t have a QR code. It should also have the actual book. Not the standard white pamflet.

[@silvermyth2119]

@@anatourian8084 awesome! Thank you for all the great advice!👍

[@laurenhepp4681]

I’d love to buy your Tarot of Echoes Deck but I’m not sure how to get it. On your website the pre-orders have closed. Does that mean I’ve missed out? Or will some still be available to purchase? Thank you 🙏

[@anatourian8084]

The indie edition was up for pre-order in December and January. So, unfortunately that has passed. The deck will however be available in the future since it got picked up by US Games and therefore will be mass marketed 🙂

[@laurenhepp4681]

@@anatourian8084 thanks. I’m sorry I missed out on the pre-order. I’ll look out for the US games version.

[@dryad3093]

Lately I’ve seen a lot of fakes who have similar prices to original and some even put original pictures of decks and sell you fake instead

[@Tarienidu1]

What can you DO about this? Have you stopped the printers ?? Did you get help from the Copyright office?

[@anatourian8084]

Well, unfortunately I pulled the Lenormand off the market. That was an independent deck, so people know that now whatever they’re buying is fake. The decks that are with the publisher, they handle those. they have lawyers and are more equipped to deal with it.

[@Tdiva-Elly]

There are also fake decks that are way more expensive than the real decks these days.

[@anatourian8084]

More expensive and less quality 🫤

[@Tarienidu1]

Temu is selling counterfeits.. sorry.. I had no idea before I bought them... I was just interested in some new oracle cards and this new phenom of mixed readings (now that I am back into this after 30 years away from Tarot!) 😢Uh boy.. They don't come with a booklet.. so that was a oopsie