Buying Vintage Fur

I am writing as the fall is approaching for those who are looking to buy vintage furs in the upcoming season.  A great option for those of us who love vintage style (or perhaps are uneasy about buying a new fur, when the old ones already exist and hence no "new" animals(who, in this day and age may be subject to cruel treatment and painful deaths) will be used for them) vintage furs are a great, usually less expensive option.  The only problem with them is that in order to buy with confidence, you MUST ask the seller questions about its condition.

I have been browsing vintage furs on ebay, and am amazed by how many coats and jackets are listed in excellent condition or good condition, but for a little rip or tear that sellers claim will be "easily fixed".  The problem with this claim is that once the coat or jacket or wrap has a rip in the seam, it means that the fur pelts have not been properly stored and have dried out.  You can repair the rip in the seam in one place, only to have another seam rip shortly thereafter. The fur on a coat is sewn into somewhat thin pellet strips, and the seams come apart when brittle from lack of moisture and age.  Therefore, when a seam on one side rips, the next is sure to follow.  I learned this the hard way by hiring someone to refurbish a vintage sheared mink that I owned.  It was not even a week after one seam was reapired that another would rip even with my careful attention to not move quickly in it so as to stretch the pelts.