|
|
STARTING YOUR COLLECTION
|
The field of militaria collecting is very extensive. There are literally thousands of items employed by the armies of the
world.
As a newcomer to the hobby it is very easy to get distracted and start buying everything that is green. Many of us have
started that way. You have to be careful because pretty soon you have more items than available room.
Here are some ideas on how to narrow the field of what you desire to collect:
Collect what you like: As a general rule you should always buy what you enjoy.
Investment value : Military collectibles can go up in value. Some of them appraise at a very good rate while the
value of others may remain almost unchanged for many years. Determine if you are in it for the investment or simply
for what you like.
Size : How big should you go? Some of the collectibles can be rather large, such as vehicles. Other are more manageable
on size, like pins and medals. Space can be an issue. You need to determine what will work for you.
FAKE vs REAL
With the increase in popularity of military collectibles many reproductions are being manufactured. It is quite alright
to purchase reproductions as long as you know that you are buying a replica and not the real thing. Unfortunatelly
dishonest dealers are willing to take advantage of people.
The German WWII collectibles are highly reproduced. In many cases the original dye sets are being used to create new
items. Reproductions are also being made for Japanese and American military objects.
Many of the reproductions are coming from countries such as India and Pakistan. Items such as patches, uniforms and
helmets are being mass produced. Visit our section on
spotting fakes to learn more about this topic.
The only defense against being fooled is to deal with reputable dealers. Make sure that you can get your money back if the
collectible you purchased is not real.
BUY NOW
Here are some of the things you need to consider when you are ready to start purchasing militaria.
Purchase from a reputable dealer.
Purchase original items.
Purchase the best condition item you can afford.
Learn the field you are collecting.
BUYING ON THE INTERNET
Buying collectibles on the internet has become extremelly popular. This has opened a window of opportunity to connect
buyers and sellers. The two most popular ways to purchase using this media are discussed here.
Ebay
This can be a great resource. The biggest advantage of using Ebay is the variety. There are thousands of items listed
at any one time. The biggest problem is fraud. Many individuals are selling replicas as if though they were real. Often
times the buyers are duped. It can be difficult, if not impossible to get your money back. Buyer beware.
Private Websites
This can also be a great source for collectibles. The biggest advantage of buying from private websites is that they are
usually small operations so you will receive more personalized service. The owner will be more likely to handle problems
in a favorable way. The disadvantage is that the number of items available is not as extensive.
|
|
|
