Bill Shea Floch badge

[Rick C]

“He's honest and runs a stand up business.”

Call me silly but, Bill’s leaving the item or items ‘up’ after having been made aware of of their compromised status is like the FDA notifying Tyson Foods of their chickens being contaminated with salmonella and their response being “we’ll get to it when we get to it.” or, perhaps, the NRC telling Vermont’s Yankee plant that they were leaking radionuclides into the Connecticut River and their response being they’ll “look into it when they have time.”

This instills “trust”?

Just saying…

[PaulR]

I agree. I have done business with Bill and I have a colleague who has done a ton of business with him. He's honest and runs a stand up business. Reproductions can be tough to spot sometimes but, to my knowledge, Bill has always made the situation right. -Ger

I am not a huge volume collector (I dont buy a lot of things from dealers), but I've known Bill both professionally and personally for many years. I can tell you that he would not purposely misrepresent an item. If one slips by him, I can tell you that he will do what it takes to make it right.

[pln0226]

Gentlemen.....this is Patrick, Bill's son and business partner. Some of you know me but for those who do not, I have been working full time for him since 2008. This is MY user ID, his of course is Bill Shea. The post in question was done by me for him when he was away on vacation and did not have access to the internet or a computer. The issue was brought to my attention by a friend so I called Dad and asked for his opinion and how to proceed. He simply asked me to write on his behalf. I didn't realize this was "against the rules" and obviously wasn't trying to be at all sneaky. Thanks to those who notified me so I could come on and explain. As for the items in question, they are off the site and marked with a big "R" so they will no longer be faking out good intentioned people. I do 99% of the descriptions on the website with my Dad there to help me out on stuff I have questions about. If an item on the site isn't correct, its my fault and I will accept full responsibility. I appreciate all feedback, positive or negative. Our goal is to have the best militaria site on the internet. Dad has been involved in the hobby for nearly 60 years and has made his reputation by having quality merchandise and the best customer service. We plan on doing the same for another 60!

p.s. regarding the SS grouoing, if you read the description it clearly states at the beginning that we purchased not directly from the family but from another party who got it from the daughter of the SS man. There is a bill of sale from the original purchase from her dated 2003. This is how it was described to us when we purchased it in 2013.

[theodore giles]

Patrick,
You do have the best militaria site on the internet
THEODORE #14

[pln0226]

Patrick,
You do have the best militaria site on the internet
THEODORE #14

Thanks very much!

[ebj]

Thanks, Patrick. It's so easy to point fingers when one is hiding behind a mask, isn't it?

I have bought and sold with Bill over many years. I began collecting before most of you were born! He is an honest dealer as well as a real gentleman. I'm sure none of you ever had a repro slip by?? None of us are immune from such items, even the most conscientious of collectors and dealers. Pay attention to Norm, amigos!!

[Jo Rivett]

stop the Schicky Mickey

Thanks, Patrick. It's so easy to point fingers when one is hiding behind a mask, isn't it?

I dont hide behind a mask, and when i point fingers, it is because fingers need to be pointed.
I still cant agree with the basic blanket-clause of "discuss item and not seller". If we are all up for tracking fake items, and assembling some kind of reference library of them to aid future collectors, then the same should not only be allowed, but also encouraged when it comes to the source. To "quietly remember" who was selling the fake, to help future collectors and give them a more-or-less idea on the dealer - in question - or being praised. To give people an unbiased view of the track record.
If people (collectors and dealers) are really here as members to learn, then without question what you will see over time is the same dealer, making less and less mistakes. Common logic.
This way, if this were true, maybe Bill`s site would in time turn into the "Best site on the interweb".

I for one cannot agree at all. Bills site is superseded in every department by a wide choice of modern, up-to-date sites. Better in user friendliness, graphics, assortment of items, and especially value for money, as Bill`s prices are sometimes i n s a n e.

I speak the truth only, and most of you who dont "need" to post anything here, know it!

[ebj]

Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.

Marcus Aurelius

[Dietrich Maerz]

Marcus Aurelius was surely relating to his devoted love of philosophy. To transform this into our hobby is wrong, plain and simple. At least 90% of our our hobby is fact based, supported by documents and solid forensics.
If one believes this not to be the case, studies of religious or philosophical matters in a monastery might be more adviseable.

Is is surely true that we all make mistakes and nobody is free of errors. It is how it is dealt with that shows the true gentleman and scholar. And how one operates when nobody is looking or is capable of judging price or quality ....

Dietrich

[ebj]

Marcus Aurelius was the Roman emperor-military commander whose memoirs were found after he died on the Roman frontier, probably from exhaustion after thirteen years of grinding warfare against the Germanic tribes. I am sure those years holding back the Germans heavily influenced his thoughts. He was not just a philosopher.

[ebj]

I've seen fingers pointed at the names of a number of prominent forum members/dealers since I joined this forum. Remember how many fingers are pointing back at "whoever the shoe fits." Seems to be getting worse! Maybe time to "move on!"

[Darrell]

I've seen fingers pointed at the names of a number of prominent forum members/dealers since I joined this forum. Remember how many fingers are pointing back at "whoever the shoe fits." Seems to be getting worse! Maybe time to "move on!"

Don't you know that there are many here that are perfect and know everything there is to know? Some have taken their ball and gone home on this and other forums because they couldn't take it like they dish it out.

Make's me chuckle how stupid it makes them look every time they open their traps ...

[Ralph Arndt]

Bill is a honest straight up guy, I have always been happy with his items. Ralph

[Brian R]

Marcus Aurelius was the Roman emperor-military commander whose memoirs were found after he died on the Roman frontier, probably from exhaustion after thirteen years of grinding warfare against the Germanic tribes. I am sure those years holding back the Germans heavily influenced his thoughts. He was not just a philosopher.

I'm not sure that's relevant. Collecting (determining originality and historical significance) is definitely fact based, with a sprinkle of informed opinions. Marcus Aurelius' thoughts and beliefs are related to other facets of life.

[Dietrich Maerz]

Iam sure those years holding back the Germans heavily influenced his thoughts. He was not just a philosopher.

Well, maybe he also collected German militaria and was duped by the German dealer Cholerik? Who knows?