gwb123 Posted October 20, 2014 Share #1 Posted October 20, 2014 Maybe I am just slow to notice things, but I've just woken up to what seems to be an ever increasing number of dedicated For Sale Facebook pages devoted to buying and selling militaria. I'm just curious if anyone has had any experiences with these? I'm not asking anyone to reveal their personal hunting ground. I am just asking if these have lived up to your expectations as far as quality, price, etc. The immediate drawback I see on these is that there is no mechanism for resolving disputes, and no guarantee you are going to get anything for the money you send. But perhaps I am too cautious. The positive is I see that Sellers can post items with few restrictions, and apparently zero fees. We've had a lot of comments on here asking for alternatives to eBay and other commission based on-line sites. Is this the new direction of buying and selling? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedLegGI Posted October 20, 2014 Share #2 Posted October 20, 2014 I'm involved in quite a few of these pages and see quite a bit move across them. I've bought some from there and the transaction was smooth. I think one bonus to these is that it is very public, the seller's name is known and if they mess around karma is just a post away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lytec Posted October 20, 2014 Share #3 Posted October 20, 2014 I am on a few of them but unfortunately most wont ship to Australia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted October 20, 2014 Share #4 Posted October 20, 2014 I won't deal with Facebook. Never again. Got rid of it 6 years ago and haven't regretted it, if I miss something awesome so be it Besides, students have a tendency to look up their instructors. I don't need 100+ creepers requesting me a month Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David D Posted October 20, 2014 Share #5 Posted October 20, 2014 I sell sometimes on the WWII for sale on FB I'm not a fan if it. People like what you have for sale but don't on me or they start deprecate covversations on it. I haven't sold on it in a few months. -Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob M Posted October 20, 2014 Share #6 Posted October 20, 2014 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1466389186930507/ This is a facebookgroup for US WW2 for sale militaria (only). I moderate it myself and worldwide shipping is a must and so is paypal due to its insurance. Relatively new group, but haven't heard any complaints about any wrong deals whatsoever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNY Militaria Posted October 20, 2014 Share #7 Posted October 20, 2014 I noticed that some (way more than this forum) buyers/sellers on the FB sales pages are not serious. They either overprice/don't actually know what they have, or don't follow through with commitments to buy. I listed a couple very cheap items to try it out and had two separate people commit to buy. Both people then fell off the face of the earth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill in VA Posted October 20, 2014 Share #8 Posted October 20, 2014 The mere requirement to accept Paypal would be enough to keep me away. Paypal has got some great protection for the buyer, but almost nothing for the seller. It only took me one time of getting bitten before I dropped it. They act as if only sellers are thieves and cheats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_rambow Posted October 20, 2014 Share #9 Posted October 20, 2014 I have found that commodities for the average collector/reenactor go very fast when priced fairly (things like basic uniforms, canteens, equipment, even long arms, etc). I have not noticed “collector” grade items moving very well. I have found a few great deals (WWI shelter halves for $20 apiece) and some other basic stuff, but in general there is not much to die for. Like with anything, there were always be people asking way too much for common items that can be had immediately for 1/3 the price from other sources. Usually I will post things here on the forum first, then on the Facebook pages, then (if I really want to get rid of it) I’ll go to ebay. As a younger collector (24), I have a large number of friends and acquaintances that I know in person who are active on the same pages, so it has helped my friends get things that I didn’t know or forgot that they were looking for ( which I can give to them the last time I see them). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David D Posted October 20, 2014 Share #10 Posted October 20, 2014 I see very basic items sell very fast on them but good stuff doesnt sell. on the one i belong to i think it is mostly reenactors not so much collectors. -Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MasonK Posted October 21, 2014 Share #11 Posted October 21, 2014 I've joined a few but find most items being sold are TR or reproduction US (for reenactors). Haven't purchased or sold anything yet, so can't really comment on experiences. I won't deal with Facebook. Never again. Got rid of it 6 years ago and haven't regretted it, if I miss something awesome so be it Besides, students have a tendency to look up their instructors. I don't need 100+ creepers requesting me a month Not that it would persuade you to return, Brig, however you can set your profile to private. Mine is set so you can't find me by searching on Facebook or in Internet search engines (Google, Yahoo, etc.). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David D Posted October 21, 2014 Share #12 Posted October 21, 2014 Thats what i do as well. i haven't gotten 1 friend request from someone i don't know since i joined. -Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brig Posted October 21, 2014 Share #13 Posted October 21, 2014 I've joined a few but find most items being sold are TR or reproduction US (for reenactors). Haven't purchased or sold anything yet, so can't really comment on experiences. Not that it would persuade you to return, Brig, however you can set your profile to private. Mine is set so you can't find me by searching on Facebook or in Internet search engines (Google, Yahoo, etc.). I'm happy to stay away from it entirely. Too much drama Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleEnvelopment Posted November 3, 2014 Share #14 Posted November 3, 2014 I made one purchase on there once but it was the only time I was able to find an item that met my collecting criteria.There is a lot of reproduction garbage. Also a lot of nameless surplus type items sans history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strawberry 9 Posted November 3, 2014 Share #15 Posted November 3, 2014 When I was on Facebook (I quit too) I was a member of a few pages. I never saw anything I had to have and the few things I did see were overpriced. It makes since, no fees for the buyer and a worldwide audience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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