Maybe an dumb question.

[Lasse L]

Well, this is maybe an dumb question, but you guys know much and might wanna help me out, so please.
Well it is like this: I have lost my detecting the fakes book ( ) so now I dont really have anything i can read to learn about detecting fakes, so there for i ask you guys if you could learn me anything about any general awards, how to spot the fakes, known fakes and so on. This would help me really much so please!

Best regards: Lasse.

[stogieman]

hey Lasse...

... the only bad question you might have will be the one you don't ask!
The only advice I could give would be to study, study, study these forums and the images. Pony up to the bar and join the association. This will give you access to a lot of additional on-line material on the actual Association site. In addition, at least 30% (MINIMUM) of your collecting budget should be used for good, quality reference materials.
And still the best... get out to as many shows as possible and handle the original badges. it's hard to describe, but handling them in hand, or side by side, will go a very long way in helping you to differentiate what's right, from what's not!

[Peter Wiking]

Yes, and as a association member you can buy from the E-Stand here, where all awards and uniforms should be original.

Cheers.
Peter Wiking

[fknorr]

spending money on reference books might seem like a waste but it pays off in the end (and gives countless hours of 'dreaming time' while studying)

I have probably 75-100 reference books and only maybe a dozen items in my collection ('in my collection' = would probably not sell even for an insane amount of money)

or maybe I am a 'book' collector?
I never thought of it like that....

[rhudspith]

Rick gives some good advice, join the association, get some good reference material and always ask questions.

The hard part I found when starting out is the advice on handling originals. Certainly the best way forward but how do get access to originals and how do you know what is original, most of the shows you go to (certinly here in the UK) the stuff is just crap and most dealers will swear on the bible and give you all sorts of stories which can sway the novice collector. I thought I cracked it by contacting a "reputable" expert in the field but got stung there too.

Once you spend some time on the forum the members will get to know you are serious and certainly help where they can. I would say that you are likely to be safe with the longer term members here as "dishonest" people are soon found out and not tollerated at all. Perhaps once you have been on a while you can try and make contact with someone local to you or arrange a meet at a show.

Also as a beginner never buy anything without a return policy, ideally try to get some good photos first and put them on the forum. Also I would suggest you try to decide on a specific area of collecting to focus on and not buy all sorts of everything, unless you have plenty money that is!

Anyway best of luck

Rob

[PaulR]

I too am very new to collecting and have found reference material to be the best way of avoiding being scammed. Even more important than books is this forum. By asking questions and looking up past posts myself, I have had many questions answered. I now only buy from the Estand and from sites of fellow members. I sleep better at night now!

Paul reck