I'm sure I don't need to remind you that purchasing bars can be risky if people have drilled them hollow and added e.g. lead then resealing the drill hole. You can get a gadget that can give a readout of the composition and contents of any items e.g lead, silver, other base metals etc. Might save on grief later on.
But why silver bars instead of rounds that go for a fraction over/at spot price?
I started with bars a long ways back the markups were not too bad.
As for fakes I try to buy from people I know if I buy at this site.
DaveF and lesbiancow have sold to me here. Also Ognasty.
If I buy from a store it is usually silvergoldbull.com or jmbuillion.com