the curse of the young collectors

[WW2JAKE]

There is alot going on with people regarding younger collectors. me being 19 and collecting for years has really opened my eyes to this... whether it be the refusal to sell an item to me because of my "not understanding what it is" or "obvious lack of respect" whatever the case may be with that but ive noticed alot of the times people will try to explain to me the importance of the item which wouldnt be a problem if they knew exactly what it was. sometimes at swap meets or similar people will often even refuse to negotiate a price leaving you watching as a ww2 web belt they told you was $150 sells for $10 to an older guy when they refused to talk a real price.

an other big problem is alot of the time is they know what an item is but assume with young age comes ignorance to the item like the "authentic ww2 paratrooper helmet for only $200" when its a 3 bail Israeli helmet... seen alot of sellers doing this recently and have learned to just walk away with a laugh. but its even to the point when i sell something they will try to buy it for way less than its worth because im automatically wrong about what i have because "i've been doing this longer than you've been alive" (great research and reference points in that impressive argument dont you think?)

but my number 1 biggest problem coming with the curse is being told "you wouldnt know what im talking about just move on" or the very lovely opening of the door with the person you made arrangements with to have them immediately say "you're at the wrong house" and shut the door in my face.

so as a general question to those who have problems with young collectors. why does it feel like you are trying to make some "sacred club" that no one else can join in on? isnt the point of preserving the history so you CAN teach it to the younger generations rather than keep it locked away for yourself and never sharing it with the world?

[72psb]

They are just jealous of your youth.

[militariaone]

There is alot going on with people regarding younger collectors. me being 19 and collecting for years has really opened my eyes to this... whether it be the refusal to sell an item to me because of my "not understanding what it is" or "obvious lack of respect" whatever the case may be with that but ive noticed alot of the times people will try to explain to me the importance of the item which wouldnt be a problem if they knew exactly what it was. sometimes at swap meets or similar people will often even refuse to negotiate a price leaving you watching as a ww2 web belt they told you was $150 sells for $10 to an older guy when they refused to talk a real price.

 

an other big problem is alot of the time is they know what an item is but assume with young age comes ignorance to the item like the "authentic ww2 paratrooper helmet for only $200" when its a 3 bail Israeli helmet... seen alot of sellers doing this recently and have learned to just walk away with a laugh. but its even to the point when i sell something they will try to buy it for way less than its worth because im automatically wrong about what i have because "i've been doing this longer than you've been alive" (great research and reference points in that impressive argument dont you think?)

 

but my number 1 biggest problem coming with the curse is being told "you wouldnt know what im talking about just move on" or the very lovely opening of the door with the person you made arrangements with to have them immediately say "you're at the wrong house" and shut the door in my face.

 

so as a general question to those who have problems with young collectors. why does it feel like you are trying to make some "sacred club" that no one else can join in on? isnt the point of preserving the history so you CAN teach it to the younger generations rather than keep it locked away for yourself and never sharing it with the world?

Greetings Jake,

Long story short, most folks who have been collecting (since they were a kid) have more likely than not experienced this particular (“yer-too-young-sonny”) age issue/challenge (I know, I have many times). My point being, this is nothing new and while unpleasant/highly annoying; please, do not feel like you are experiencing some “new” trend in the hobby. Many folks simply judge people (like books) by their appearance and act in less than a cordial manner, such is life. I would add, today's Vietnam veterans who sell militaria have nothing on the World War II Veterans who used to sell militaria, in terms of being "cantankerous" when so inclined.

 

For every “go get your mother, to buy this knife sonny” or “closed door when showing up to someone who contacted me because of a posted newspaper’s militaria wanted add” I have had those folks who thought it was awesome that a “kid” was interested in their father’s/relative’s military stuff. I even had a few choice items handed over to me gratis, simply because they did not want to charge some kid who actually showed interested in it. I assure you today, as a 47 year-old collector, no one “gifts” me anything, due to my “demonstrated interest” anymore.

 

As far as some elitist club, there are snobs in all collectors’ circles. In any hobby, some folks are pure gentlemen whilst others possess a pathetic need to “lord over” newcomers. Perhaps, they were taken advantage of when they were new to the collecting field and feel the need to make the “new guy” undergo some trial/probationary period. There are too, plenty of folks who are fine one day and then a complete twit the next. Bottom line, I have found it is pointless to attempt to “fix” others’ issues. I collect militaria, because I enjoy the chase and the history of the items involved. When I encounter someone with a bad attitude, I just accept that “today is not their day” and move on, it’s their problem not mine (it always will be). If you take it personal and keep it with you (like any baggage), you will not enjoy the hobby very long.

 

It must be said, I have encountered many folks who were initially angry, standoffish, lordy, and/or downright rude, but in time they either realized the “kid” kept coming back (at a weekly flea-market) and accepted the new reality, or they found someone else who would provide the desired reaction to their shenanigans. Even as a young adult, when someone underestimated my level of knowledge, it was their loss not mine. I have received far more “good deals,” because someone underestimated my level of knowledge, than I ever did because I demonstrated said knowledge. I do apologize, if this all sounds like I’m standing on a soap-box, but I wanted to provide some perspective and you rarely accomplish that with just one sentence.

 

Enjoy the hobby, when you get treated in a less than acceptable manner just remember; it’s their loss not yours.

 

Regards,

 

Lance

 

[WW2JAKE]

Greetings Jake,

Long story short, most folks who have been collecting (since they were a kid) have more likely than not experienced this particular (“yer-too-young-sonny”) age issue/challenge (I know, I have many times). My point being, this is nothing new and while unpleasant/highly annoying; please, do not feel like you are experiencing some “new” trend in the hobby. Many folks simply judge people (like books) by their appearance and act in less than a cordial manner, such is life. I would add, today's Vietnam veterans who sell militaria have nothing on the World War II Veterans who used to sell militaria, in terms of being "cantankerous" when so inclined.

 

For every “go get your mother, to buy this knife sonny” or “closed door when showing up to someone who contacted me because of a posted newspaper’s militaria wanted add” I have had those folks who thought it was awesome that a “kid” was interested in their father’s/relative’s military stuff. I even had a few choice items handed over to me gratis, simply because they did not want to charge some kid who actually showed interested in it. I assure you today, as a 47 year-old collector, no one “gifts” me anything, due to my “demonstrated interest” anymore.

 

As far as some elitist club, there are snobs in all collectors’ circles. In any hobby, some folks are pure gentlemen whilst others possess a pathetic need to “lord over” newcomers. Perhaps, they were taken advantage of when they were new to the collecting field and feel the need to make the “new guy” undergo some trial/probationary period. There are too, plenty of folks who are fine one day and then a complete twit the next. Bottom line, I have found it is pointless to attempt to “fix” others’ issues. I collect militaria, because I enjoy the chase and the history of the items involved. When I encounter someone with a bad attitude, I just accept that “today is not their day” and move on, it’s their problem not mine (it always will be). If you take it personal and keep it with you (like any baggage), you will not enjoy the hobby very long.

 

It must be said, I have encountered many folks who were initially angry, standoffish, lordy, and/or downright rude, but in time they either realized the “kid” kept coming back (at a weekly flea-market) and accepted the new reality, or they found someone else who would provide the desired reaction to their shenanigans. Even as a young adult, when someone underestimated my level of knowledge, it was their loss not mine. I have received far more “good deals,” because someone underestimated my level of knowledge, than I ever did because I demonstrated said knowledge. I do apologize, if this all sounds like I’m standing on a soap-box, but I wanted to provide some perspective and you rarely accomplish that with just one sentence.

 

Enjoy the hobby, when you get treated in a less than acceptable manner just remember; it’s their loss not yours.

 

Regards,

 

Lance

 

i know its nothing new. but there have even been forum members like this which is really making people feel "unwanted on the forum" or so ive been told by people at shows and displays who came across the USMF and have great things to share but have then stopped coming on after a few times because of people treating them this way, i guess i just want to make people more aware of this ongoing problem because ive noticed a majority dont even realize they are doing it so it is mainly to get those people to open their eyes to what they are doing. most of the time i even try to help them identify what they have if they are wrong. i just figure most people will try to stop if they know it is driving people away from collecting.

[militariaone]

Jake, people who behave in the manner which you have drawn attention too, know exactly what they are doing. They behave in that manner, because they do not care about how other people feel, but hey, if you believe highlighting this behavior will change an attitude or two, have at it. I believe it is akin to taking arms up against the ocean. However, I do wish you the best towards your endeavor.

 

Warmest Regards,

 

Lance

[Screamingeagles101]

I understand exactly where your coming from. I'm 17 and sometimes people do try to take advantage. I was at a swap meet and came across ID'd WW2 leggings. I asked the seller how much he was asking. He asked me "do I even know what they are ?" I said "yes I do" he than said, he would take $150 for them. Being that they were ID'd, I would have been willing to pay a bit more than what they usually go for, but $150 was way out of the question.

[tarbridge]

There is alot going on with people regarding younger collectors. me being 19 and collecting for years has really opened my eyes to this... whether it be the refusal to sell an item to me because of my "not understanding what it is" or "obvious lack of respect" whatever the case may be with that but ive noticed alot of the times people will try to explain to me the importance of the item which wouldnt be a problem if they knew exactly what it was. sometimes at swap meets or similar people will often even refuse to negotiate a price leaving you watching as a ww2 web belt they told you was $150 sells for $10 to an older guy when they refused to talk a real price.

 

an other big problem is alot of the time is they know what an item is but assume with young age comes ignorance to the item like the "authentic ww2 paratrooper helmet for only $200" when its a 3 bail Israeli helmet... seen alot of sellers doing this recently and have learned to just walk away with a laugh. but its even to the point when i sell something they will try to buy it for way less than its worth because im automatically wrong about what i have because "i've been doing this longer than you've been alive" (great research and reference points in that impressive argument dont you think?)

 

but my number 1 biggest problem coming with the curse is being told "you wouldnt know what im talking about just move on" or the very lovely opening of the door with the person you made arrangements with to have them immediately say "you're at the wrong house" and shut the door in my face.

 

so as a general question to those who have problems with young collectors. why does it feel like you are trying to make some "sacred club" that no one else can join in on? isnt the point of preserving the history so you CAN teach it to the younger generations rather than keep it locked away for yourself and never sharing it with the world?

Simple answer Jake...do not deal with people who offer such condescending attitudes...The contentions you point out would be an insult to all ages.

[cutiger83]

Simple answer Jake...do not deal with people who offer such condescending attitudes...The conventions you point out would be an insult to all ages.

 

Try being a woman in this world and you will experience even more discrimination and condescending attitudes. Just educate yourself, shake your head and walk away at ignorance. There are people like this in all walks of life.

 

.....Kat

[Dave]

I think Lance said it well.

 

Many of us started out collecting when we were young. I was 11 when I started. Luckily, I was taken under the wing of a veteran collector who helped me out immensely...until I refused to educate myself on the topic(s) and instead became dependent on him to do my research and identification for me. He "tore me a new one" one day over the phone and at that point, I had to start learning on my own. Being young, I got screwed more than a couple times by unscrupulous people and it wasn't really until the Age of the Internet (yes, before some folks on this forum were born!) that I really started meeting other people who were honest and likeable in the hobby. It only took a few trips to flea markets for me to realize that a lot of sellers weren't the most pleasant of people and unless you were a regular customer, they didn't give two s*its about you. I'm sure there are many fine people that sell at them (including some of our members here) but for me, I don't visit flea markets or estate sales. I miss out on some great deals (and don't waste time on a lot of really bad deals) but at the same time, I could go broke buying all the great deals I find elsewhere...and it tends to all work out in the end.

 

With all that said, you're going to find people who are irritable or condescending in ANY line of work or hobby. My wife sells a particular line of jewelry on the side (we all have our hobbies...) Yesterday, we were at a festival in our town where we recently moved where another lady was selling the same brand of jewelry. One glance at the lady in the booth and I knew it was going to be uncomfortable, yet for some reason my wife still wanted to talk to her. So my son and I sat off to the side and I could hear this lady berating my wife for selling the same jewelry in the same town...after all, EVERYONE who sold that kind of jewelry in our town was on "her" team, no one else was possibly allowed to do it (or so she said, of course...) Ironically, my wife actually has far more sales (in our town, strangely...) than this lady, but the other lady felt that she had to show how awesome she was by tearing someone else down.

 

Luckily my wife has pretty thick skin and we got a good laugh out of it as we walked away, but still...a-holes aren't just confined to this hobby or really anything else. So long as humans are involved in anything, you're going to get all types of people with all types of attitudes. It's even tougher on the internet as some people's harmless but "snarky" attitude or comments in real life get translated on the computer monitor as being angry, confrontational, or mean - even though they don't intend for the comments to come across like that. Sometimes if someone's offended, it's well worth the time to send the other person a PM for clarification, or to just simply apologize to begin with and see if that clears the waters (yes, apologize even if someone didn't feel they were the one in the wrong...it's amazing how far that will go...) Plus, remember there are people here from all walks of life and all different kinds of backgrounds. Ages range from the barely-cleared double digits to up in the 90s, with education ranging from pre-high school dropouts to doctorates and everything in between. And, there are a lot of people who aren't really good with written English...even people from this country!

 

As moderators, we try to make this forum as enjoyable and as friendly as possible, and whenever we see something getting out of hand, we try to control it to make a fun place for everyone to be. However, with so many humans involved, we can't possibly control everyone or moderate everyone's personalities and sometimes people are offended by that. The big thing is though to not hold it against the forum, but just realize that not everyone here is as perfect as some of us (okay, kidding...) and realize that we're all in this together, even if it doesn't seem like it sometimes.

 

Dave

[trenchbuff]

Don't get a chip on your shoulder because of the bad eggs. They aren't worth it. Hang out with the good eggs.

[trenchbuff]

 

Try being a woman in this world and you will experience even more discrimination and condescending attitudes. Just educate yourself, shake your head and walk away at ignorance. There are people like this in all walks of life.

 

.....Kat

 

Your a pioneer Kat! Keep it up. Love your posts.

[cutiger83]

 

Your a pioneer Kat! Keep it up. Love your posts.

 

Thanks so much for the kind words.

 

Once in my early 20's, I kept arguing and arguing with this guy at a car dealership. He kept telling me that I was wrong. I finally called my Dad in frustration. Dad called him and told the guy he was wrong that I was right. The guy agreed with Dad. I was so mad.

 

Then there was this moron at my first job who kept getting promoted to the same level as me. Even his grammar was offensive. I got fed up and left that job.

 

The "good old boys club" is alive and well in the South. I learned to fight for my rights at a young age.

 

....Kat

[vintageproductions]

There is alot going on with people regarding younger collectors. me being 19 and collecting for years has really opened my eyes to this... whether it be the refusal to sell an item to me because of my "not understanding what it is" or "obvious lack of respect" whatever the case may be with that but ive noticed alot of the times people will try to explain to me the importance of the item which wouldnt be a problem if they knew exactly what it was. sometimes at swap meets or similar people will often even refuse to negotiate a price leaving you watching as a ww2 web belt they told you was $150 sells for $10 to an older guy when they refused to talk a real price.

 

 

The above never changes. I started collecting when I was eight years old, and I still have dealers at antique markets trying to educate me about items.

[Wharfmaster]

When you interact with people out in the world, it greatly depends on how you look and act. Makes no difference if you are young or old.

 

 

Now that I am old, everyone calls me Sir, assumes I'm long past my prime and treats me like a 6 year old.

 

 

Don't expect that everyone out there is going to be civil and treat you like a pal. There are a lot of anti-social types out there. Surprisingly, many of them are in retail.

 

 

W

[Allan H.]

I have to admit that I have had a chuckle or two as I have read through the posts in this thread and I have to make a couple of comments. First, to all of you young collectors out there- you need to figure out right now that most of the militaria that you come into contact with is going to be VERY common. Why do you beat your head up against the wall wanting to buy a pair of leggings at the flea market where the vendor is offering them for $150 when you can buy all you want on forums like this for a fraction of that price? Why do you subject yourselves to high-handedness from an older collector who wants to sell you an army Good Conduct medal for $25 when you can buy them all day long on line for $5 each?

 

One of the biggest mistakes that I see from newer (not just younger) collectors is that they tend to go to antique malls and flea markets and buy every piece of militaria that they see. DO you really need three 1980's dated mess kits and four pair of WWII shoe laces? I look at some of the photos in the latest finds and see a "Great Day at the Flea" thread where a younger collector shows off a half dozen subdued army patches, four service ribbons, six pieces of misc. collar brass, a plastic canteen and a mess kit spoon as says "I got all of this at the local market and only paid $30. How did I do?" This KILLS me! First, what kind of collection are you trying to put together? Secondly, why are you spending money on stuff if you don't know what it is worth? PLEASE READ THE NEXT PARAGRAPHS.

 

Collectors- most of this stuff isn't overly rare. Unless you decide you are going to collect something like AVG or Alamo Scouts, you are going to have lots of opportunities to own the things you are looking for. Do not get in too big a hurry to "own it all" because you never will. Next, do not waste your time dealing with jerks. If someone is treating you like an idiot or worse, why spend your money with them? Spend your money with people that you trust and who treat you like you want to be treated. There are plenty of collectors and dealers here on the forum who will treat you well. Yes, there are jerks, but you figure it out quickly and then don't need to waste your time buying from them. There are plenty of names of people who post in the for sale section who, once I see they are selling, I don't even bother to look at what they are offering. I don't need to deal with them. That being said, I know that there are dealers here who are willing to work with other collectors. Do you want to buy a $300 Purple Heart being offered on the forum? Send the seller a message asking if they can work with you on payments. I know lots of "serious" collectors who have done this (myself included). You can always ask if they have "any room" on the price, but only do this if 1) you think the price is higher than it should be and 2) only ask if you are prepared to buy. If the seller is selling a $100 patch for $80, don't offer him $50 and then ask if you can make payments or pay him in three weeks.

 

Treat other collectors like colleagues, not like competitors. If you treat other collectors fairly, they will return the favor. If you know another collector is looking for 1918 dated mess kit knives, offer your extra to them at a fair price. You can also work trades, etc. with them which puts stuff you want into your collection in return for something they want. Networking is critical to being able to acquire a great collection.

 

The next thing you need to do is educate yourself. I've been collecting for over 40 years now and I still spend money on reference books. Not all of the information out there is free, and you can't find it all on the internet. Buy books. Read the text. Look at the pictures. I don't care how many times you've seen "Band of Brothers," that doesn't help when determining if a 101st SSI is a WWII example or later or a fake. Next, if you are nervous about a purchase, buy from the sellers with a good reputation. It is better to buy a $100 patch from someone like Bill Scott (RAREPATCHMAN) on eBay and pay a little extra, than to buy from someone's military "Treasures" website and save a buck or two. If you ever discover that the patch wasn't what was represented, Bill will promptly refund your money. I've even seen him buy back pieces that I knew were original just because the guy wanting a refund didn't know what he was doing.

 

Finally, discipline yourself to focus on a collecting area. Be specific. Saying "I'm only going to collect WWI and WWII" is WAY too broad. Stick to a specific unit or units, or pick a more specific time period. Stay disciplined and focused. Collect something you want and something that interests you. Don't collect because everybody else collects it, or because of perceived value. Stick to those areas when spending your money. Walking past a mess kit without buying it at the flea market is not going to hurt you! Save your collecting dollars for items that you want. Make "wants lists" and spend those dollars on items on your list. Don't just buy something because it is cheap. Also, unless you collect variations, don't try to corner the market on stuff. I don't care how much money you have, you can never buy it all, so don't buy just to be buying. This is most commonly seen at flea markets etc. If you find yourself spending all of your money at the flea market, yet you aren't finding anything truly noteworthy, stop going to the flea. EVERYBODY is going to miss good deals. You aren't going to find it all, even if you are at the flea market at 5:00 am and go through it with a fine toothed comb.

 

OK, off the soapbox.

Allan

[Terry K.]

Don't expect that everyone out there is going to be civil and treat you like a pal. There are a lot of anti-social types out there. Surprisingly, many of them are in retail.

 

 

W

Many have been in retail too long that is why they act that way.

 

I too started very young (before 10) and had some of the same experiences, don't worry it doesn't get better, you just get more used to it and walk away(Ha, Ha)

 

[Nkomo]

In my years as a young collector, I can count on one hand the number of times I was treated badly by a collector or militaria dealer. My experience was overwhelmingly positive.

 

From my experience, when people correct other collectors on an identification and tell them their prices are way off base, this creates a lot of animosity (even if the intentions are noble). These kind of things really don't set well with others and can earn you a reputation as a know-it-all within the local collecting community. Please understand that I'm not saying you are doing this or are being disrespectful to anyone.

 

I live in an area with quite a few other military collectors and everyone knows what the other collectors collect, how much they are willing to spend, the times they hit the flea markets or antique shops. They also talk about other collectors and their attitudes. If you get a reputation as a jerk, you can forget about getting any good deals and can expect to be given the cold shoulder. Word travels fast in the militara collecting community.

 

In my estimation, Allan H. nailed it with his response. When Allan H., Tarbridge, Dave, and Lance write a response, you can be darn sure I'm taking their advice to heart.

[Jumpin Jack]

Very interesting discussion. I started collecting at the age of eight. Now, I'm pushing 80. When I started in 1944, the only references that existed were those the military published, thus most of us had to take the long learning path--largely from the Vets returning home. The Vets wouldn't talk about their experiences to their family, but they would to us kids. Over the years when I would set up a table to dispose of duplicates, a young boy, barely tall enough to look over the table, would ask the price of an item. Even if it was priced at $5. or $10. I would ask him how much money he had. The response was commonly $1., and I responded to him that is the price. Bottom line here is, we dearly need those new to the collecting field to grow with the hobby instead of driving them away with the put-down attitudes of some jerks who are only out for the buck.

 

My big hang up where new or inexperienced collectors are concerned are the short-cuts they tend to take where knowledge is concerned. Quite often, instead of searching out a worthwhile reference, they tend to gravitate to the internet for an instant burst of knowledge, or gravitate to someone still in the learning process. The beauty of this Forum is the number of very knowlegeable individuals that are more than happy to share their knowledge. I, for one, have learned a great deal from their experience.

 

I think, relative to the subject at hand, a great deal of knowledge and advice has been put forth, BUT none better than that of Allan Henderson. Please listen to what he has said, learn from it, and follow his advice as it is a capsulation of all offered here.

 

A bit of advice if I may. Treat others as you would want to be treated. Walk away from the people who play the game of the put-down. As you grow in the field, give back to your hobby as it will always need to grow. Today's significant events are tomorrow's history. Jack Angolia

[Garandomatic]

Very interesting discussion. I started collecting at the age of eight. Now, I'm pushing 80. When I started in 1944, the only references that existed were those the military published, thus most of us had to take the long learning path--largely from the Vets returning home. The Vets wouldn't talk about their experiences to their family, but they would to us kids. Over the years when I would set up a table to dispose of duplicates, a young boy, barely tall enough to look over the table, would ask the price of an item. Even if it was priced at $5. or $10. I would ask him how much money he had. The response was commonly $1., and I responded to him that is the price. Bottom line here is, we dearly need those new to the collecting field to grow with the hobby instead of driving them away with the put-down attitudes of some jerks who are only out for the buck.

 

My big hang up where new or inexperienced collectors are concerned are the short-cuts they tend to take where knowledge is concerned. Quite often, instead of searching out a worthwhile reference, they tend to gravitate to the internet for an instant burst of knowledge, or gravitate to someone still in the learning process. The beauty of this Forum is the number of very knowlegeable individuals that are more than happy to share their knowledge. I, for one, have learned a great deal from their experience.

 

I think, relative to the subject at hand, a great deal of knowledge and advice has been put forth, BUT none better than that of Allan Henderson. Please listen to what he has said, learn from it, and follow his advice as it is a capsulation of all offered here.

 

A bit of advice if I may. Treat others as you would want to be treated. Walk away from the people who play the game of the put-down. As you grow in the field, give back to your hobby as it will always need to grow. Today's significant events are tomorrow's history. Jack Angolia

Right on. I'm still young-er at 33, but if the younger than us folks can't be fascinated in it, we, and our estates (for those of us that will let our collections go after our hands are cold and dead) are toast.

[WW2JAKE]

From my experience, when people correct other collectors on an identification and tell them their prices are way off base, this creates a lot of animosity (even if the intentions are noble). These kind of things really don't set well with others and can earn you a reputation as a know-it-all within the local collecting community.

 

when i said "try to help" thats generally on people who say "im not really sure what it was for" yet im not really interested in buying it thats when i offer my help but am told im wrong even though i wouldnt try to offer advice if i wasnt absolutely certain about what it is.

 

to be completely honest i have never bought something at a swap meet or flea market or anything like that, i go mainly to see things. just a few days ago i saw a ww2 navy knife which i know is hard to find. i was grateful that the guy was a friend of a friend. he ended up telling me all about it and how he came by it so on... but i will once in a while run into something im looking for and will ask how much and be completely rejected or they give me the price and they will not negotiate. alot of times ill put them in contact with a guy i know who buys anything and everything he can get his hands on and for the right prices too. but just out of curiosity ive had my dad with me some of the times and he is obviously older than me. and i can go up te guy will do everything he can to push me away and then my dad will and he will be treated right a few times hes even gotten a "yeah just a few minutes ago a stupid kid tried to buy this" story.

 

 

Finally, discipline yourself to focus on a collecting area. Be specific. Saying "I'm only going to collect WWI and WWII" is WAY too broad. Stick to a specific unit or units, or pick a more specific time period. Stay disciplined and focused. Collect something you want and something that interests you. Don't collect because everybody else collects it, or because of perceived value. Stick to those areas when spending your money. Walking past a mess kit without buying it at the flea market is not going to hurt you! Save your collecting dollars for items that you want. Make "wants lists" and spend those dollars on items on your list. Don't just buy something because it is cheap. Also, unless you collect variations, don't try to corner the market on stuff. I don't care how much money you have, you can never buy it all, so don't buy just to be buying. This is most commonly seen at flea markets etc. If you find yourself spending all of your money at the flea market, yet you aren't finding anything truly noteworthy, stop going to the flea. EVERYBODY is going to miss good deals. You aren't going to find it all, even if you are at the flea market at 5:00 am and go through it with a fine toothed comb.

 

OK, off the soapbox.

Allan

and just to point out i am not buying everything i generally stick to things family members could have and did use. which yes is going from pre ww1 to present day. but i can promise that i wont buy a vietnam war grenade vest with intentions of keeping it. because i have no family who would have used that. but i will buy something at a fair price with the intentions of selling or trading. or sometimes its a group deal that is all or nothing and there are things im looking for and the whole set is at a great price so ill buy it and maybe trade some off or sell it infact if you look at some of my recent posts you can see this happening. and no if it is a group from a single vet i will not break it up, it goes together.

 

 

 

 

As moderators, we try to make this forum as enjoyable and as friendly as possible, and whenever we see something getting out of hand, we try to control it to make a fun place for everyone to be. However, with so many humans involved, we can't possibly control everyone or moderate everyone's personalities and sometimes people are offended by that. The big thing is though to not hold it against the forum, but just realize that not everyone here is as perfect as some of us (okay, kidding...) and realize that we're all in this together, even if it doesn't seem like it sometimes.

 

Dave

sorry dave i didnt mean to hold it against the forum or at least didnt mean to sound like i was. i was just saying that because i have had more than a handful of people comment on that and personally i have been very happy here with the exception of a few cases. but i was saying that it is also here on the forum not saying it was the forum or the fault of the forum

[KASTAUFFER]

What a lot of the old cranky dealers at shows and the flea markets forget is that kids are the ones who will be "grown up" in 10 years or less and have a lot more money to spend. You are burning your bridges if you treat younger collectors or kids badly.

 

 

There is a reason advertisers spend lots of money trying at attract Millenials right now ( Those who reached the age of 18 around the year 2000 plus or minus a few years).

 

Kurt

[jguy1986]

As someone in his 20's, I'm not the youngest collector in the world, but I'm generally a lot younger than most of the other local militaria collectors. I might not have the biggest bankroll to spend on this stuff, but I still hit the flea market every Sunday, mainly for the thrill of the hunt for good deals, and because I prefer to handle most things before I buy them. Over the past few years, I've built up a decent relationship with a few regular sellers who let me know when they have something that might interest me, as well as with some of the other collectors that I see every week. The important thing is to be as polite and respectful as you can with everyone.

 

There are sellers that I refuse to deal with because they are serious ol' grumps, and they don't have to be the ones to get my money if they're going to have that attitude towards me. Other guys will have prices WAAAYY above fair retail, and unless I'm really interested and ask if they can do any better, I usually I just walk away, because they have that price on it for a reason and don't want to hear otherwise. Unless it's an absolute one-of-a-kind item, chances are there will be another piece very similar to it at a better price in the not-so-distant future.

 

I've had to learn to be patient, but that discipline has left me with a decent collection on a budget that isn't just a pile of random gear from all eras and countries. If you take the time to search out the good dealers and the good collectors, everyone tends to look out for each other. Karma is a very powerful force, so don't waste your energy on the bad eggs. Sooner or later they'll get what's coming to them.

[automatic]

I'm pretty young, a couple years younger than Jake, but I have mostly dealt with friendly dealers. There is one in particular in the area that "took me under his wing", and I have learned a lot from him. And I have dealt with dealers, buying/selling and trading, who to the best of my knowledge have treated me more than fair. Maybe I'm just lucky?

[BigDogMilitaria]

I have to admit that I have had a chuckle or two as I have read through the posts in this thread and I have to make a couple of comments. First, to all of you young collectors out there- you need to figure out right now that most of the militaria that you come into contact with is going to be VERY common. Why do you beat your head up against the wall wanting to buy a pair of leggings at the flea market where the vendor is offering them for $150 when you can buy all you want on forums like this for a fraction of that price? Why do you subject yourselves to high-handedness from an older collector who wants to sell you an army Good Conduct medal for $25 when you can buy them all day long on line for $5 each?

 

One of the biggest mistakes that I see from newer (not just younger) collectors is that they tend to go to antique malls and flea markets and buy every piece of militaria that they see. DO you really need three 1980's dated mess kits and four pair of WWII shoe laces? I look at some of the photos in the latest finds and see a "Great Day at the Flea" thread where a younger collector shows off a half dozen subdued army patches, four service ribbons, six pieces of misc. collar brass, a plastic canteen and a mess kit spoon as says "I got all of this at the local market and only paid $30. How did I do?" This KILLS me! First, what kind of collection are you trying to put together? Secondly, why are you spending money on stuff if you don't know what it is worth? PLEASE READ THE NEXT PARAGRAPHS.

 

Collectors- most of this stuff isn't overly rare. Unless you decide you are going to collect something like AVG or Alamo Scouts, you are going to have lots of opportunities to own the things you are looking for. Do not get in too big a hurry to "own it all" because you never will. Next, do not waste your time dealing with jerks. If someone is treating you like an idiot or worse, why spend your money with them? Spend your money with people that you trust and who treat you like you want to be treated. There are plenty of collectors and dealers here on the forum who will treat you well. Yes, there are jerks, but you figure it out quickly and then don't need to waste your time buying from them. There are plenty of names of people who post in the for sale section who, once I see they are selling, I don't even bother to look at what they are offering. I don't need to deal with them. That being said, I know that there are dealers here who are willing to work with other collectors. Do you want to buy a $300 Purple Heart being offered on the forum? Send the seller a message asking if they can work with you on payments. I know lots of "serious" collectors who have done this (myself included). You can always ask if they have "any room" on the price, but only do this if 1) you think the price is higher than it should be and 2) only ask if you are prepared to buy. If the seller is selling a $100 patch for $80, don't offer him $50 and then ask if you can make payments or pay him in three weeks.

 

Treat other collectors like colleagues, not like competitors. If you treat other collectors fairly, they will return the favor. If you know another collector is looking for 1918 dated mess kit knives, offer your extra to them at a fair price. You can also work trades, etc. with them which puts stuff you want into your collection in return for something they want. Networking is critical to being able to acquire a great collection.

 

The next thing you need to do is educate yourself. I've been collecting for over 40 years now and I still spend money on reference books. Not all of the information out there is free, and you can't find it all on the internet. Buy books. Read the text. Look at the pictures. I don't care how many times you've seen "Band of Brothers," that doesn't help when determining if a 101st SSI is a WWII example or later or a fake. Next, if you are nervous about a purchase, buy from the sellers with a good reputation. It is better to buy a $100 patch from someone like Bill Scott (RAREPATCHMAN) on eBay and pay a little extra, than to buy from someone's military "Treasures" website and save a buck or two. If you ever discover that the patch wasn't what was represented, Bill will promptly refund your money. I've even seen him buy back pieces that I knew were original just because the guy wanting a refund didn't know what he was doing.

 

Finally, discipline yourself to focus on a collecting area. Be specific. Saying "I'm only going to collect WWI and WWII" is WAY too broad. Stick to a specific unit or units, or pick a more specific time period. Stay disciplined and focused. Collect something you want and something that interests you. Don't collect because everybody else collects it, or because of perceived value. Stick to those areas when spending your money. Walking past a mess kit without buying it at the flea market is not going to hurt you! Save your collecting dollars for items that you want. Make "wants lists" and spend those dollars on items on your list. Don't just buy something because it is cheap. Also, unless you collect variations, don't try to corner the market on stuff. I don't care how much money you have, you can never buy it all, so don't buy just to be buying. This is most commonly seen at flea markets etc. If you find yourself spending all of your money at the flea market, yet you aren't finding anything truly noteworthy, stop going to the flea. EVERYBODY is going to miss good deals. You aren't going to find it all, even if you are at the flea market at 5:00 am and go through it with a fine toothed comb.

 

OK, off the soapbox.

Allan

 

 

Great post Allan. This should be a must read for all newer collectors. Great advice for some of us who are bit older too!

[Baron3-6]

Yep- being young is difficult. I grew up near the SoS in Louisville and I had a lot of stupid looks and hard heads when trying to buy things there.....but for every one of those I had dealers who educated me about something or threw in a few extra patches just because.

 

A little tip for being young and dealing with the old horders who are out to hook everyone - just get their card and smile. And if they ask why you want their card just tell 'em "so I'll know where the big auction will be at in a few years"