Hey everyone,
I'm wanting to buy my first Strat and I have decided to get a Standard as a first and was wonder if these were faked like it seems everything else are these days.
I have located a couple on eBay and was just wondering if there is anything I should look for before buying from there.

Thanks in advance for any advice you may give,

MC

Just post the ebay link on the Fender Forum most sharp-eyed Stratophiles can spot a fake a mile away and are always happy to uncover a huxter.

_________________
'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Your first indicator may be the price that seems too good to be true.

As noted, ask the experts here. These guys are great!

Found three this afternoon. From ebay item numbers;

230423792159
300380622830
300388242331

Thanks for the help,
MC

Know the year and model your buying.
Be familiar with the neck shape, tuners, tint, logo and serial number range.
Body color, contour, pickups (the poles are a giveaway), neck plate.
If you model comes with a case check the case if its the same.
A changed pick guard can mean changed electronics.

Ask the seller questions.
Is the guitar all original parts and complete? Any modifications?
Has the truss rod be checked and operational?
(If they don't know use judgement here you don't want them to start playing)
Does the neck have any even bow or warp issues?
Any fret wear especially low spots/dents?
Any marks, scratches, dents, chips, splits or wear on the body and neck?
Just tell them it affects your bid price.

Then there is all the usual eBay stuff you have to watch out for.
Sellers history and if anything else rings out as a scam in the advert.
 

All are priced around $200 off of new.

That would seem reasonable. I wouldn't be suspect in that case but the experts here (I am not one) will help you more if you post a link to a particular auction.

Why would anyone want to fake a lefty?

If this is your first guitar and you are learning to play you should buy a right handed instead. When you start being left or right makes little difference.

I'm afraid I'm a lefty for life. I have a lefty acoustic so this isn't my first.

Thanks for the advice in this reply. I think to be safe, I will just go with new. I live very close to Sweetwater Music and I have been there and they will help me make sure it is setup proper and all. Just hoping to save a couple of bucks I guess.

Considering the use you will get out of it and that its your first electric I think new is a great idea. The cost is insignificant over the long term.

Too bad you can't adjust to a right-hand guitar. I'm a lefty but learned to play right handed. Makes for a lot more options when buying gear, and my left hand can fly all over the fretboard at light-speed. If only I could get the right hand and pick to keep up I'd sound like I knew what I was doing...