New to hobby - Looking for advise.

[blutundehre]

Maybe .. but MINT badges will always reap the highest return. You can collect the old and tatty, but everyone has one. Minty may not be for everyone, but in the end, those are the ones that never stay for sale for long.

I agree 100% with Darrell. Mint always sells and sells fast and also always at the top of the price scale sometimes even beyond. IMO, "A badge that has character", "combat worn badge" or " the been there look" are all things said to make you feel better about a badge that has been stored poorly. You can pick up a "badge with character" or "combat worn badge" for very little money, but is always near impossible to recoup your investment if you need to.
I say quality above quantity always and you'll never be disappointed when or if you need to resell. I have seen very salty badges sit on dealer sites for years without selling.
Your collection may grow slowly especially with a limited budget, like myself, but you'll never regret the purchases made.
Happy hunting friend and welcome to the forum
Dave

[Panzercracker]

Try finding a hollow buntmetal Hymmen GAB in "MINT" condition. I think anyone here would be satisfied to find one in "combat worn". Those badges are RARE! Same goes for the CUPAL badges. NOT ALL THAT GLITTERS IS GOLD. You can collect the mint zincers, but your "investment" also runs the risk of zincpest, especially in high humidity. If you buy high, you also run the risk of losing high. And, by the way, who says I collect tatty? Like you know what I got Darrell?

[Alex Bolotnikov]

Maybe .. but MINT badges will always reap the highest return. You can collect the old and tatty, but everyone has one. Minty may not be for everyone, but in the end, those are the ones that never stay for sale for long.

100% agree! But you should be careful here - nowadays a lot of heavily cleaned badges are being sold as mint. Especially by big dealers...

[blutundehre]

Try finding a hollow buntmetal Hymmen GAB in "MINT" condition. I think anyone here would be satisfied to find one in "combat worn". Those badges are RARE! Same goes for the CUPAL badges. NOT ALL THAT GLITTERS IS GOLD. You can collect the mint zincers, but your "investment" also runs the risk of zincpest, especially in high humidity. If you buy high, you also run the risk of losing high. And, by the way, who says I collect tatty? Like you know what I got Darrell?

Just take a look at Eddies collection. A lot of minty badges. You may also have to settle for non mint, but I grab minty when I can. Zincers in mint have held their finish for over 60 years and as long as you keep the conditions right they will hold it for 60 more, but buntmetal runs the same risk of losing it's finish.
Bottom line is take care of your stuff and it will stay in the same condition you bought them in. It's not rocket science. low himidity, no sunlight
Dave

[blutundehre]

100% agree! But you should be careful here - nowadays a lot of heavily cleaned badges are being sold as mint. Especially by big dealers...

Very true, do your homework for sure.

[Steve Mezey]

scared off

You guys all bring up good points but you are going to scare off the new collector Dave if you keep bickering? Collect whatever you want and whatever is in your price range. Some people choose to upgrade as they move along. Rome wasn't built in a day! If I were him I would be seriously thinking about collecting stamps. I realize these are all good intentions but the main thing is knowledge and return policies and forums like this one. One must find a comfort level and stick with it.

Steve

[Panzercracker]

A good analogy to this hobby if getting in late is like training for a prize fight. If you get in late, better collect mint if you want to recoup any "investment". Get in early and you can win a few and lose a few before you retire comfortably from it.

[Darrell]

If you are a new collector you will likely collect a "shotgun" approach. Almost everyone does when they start. That's natural. You want to have 1 of everything. The only way to do that is to buy the first one that you see or the ones in ratty condition. You cant collect one of everything in MINT condition. It would break even the most wealthy.

Collect what grabs your eye. What you want. In the end, you will eventually see something of the same in better condition and trade up. We've all been down that road as well.

I would imagine this will be what you do. Good stuff

In 5 - 10 years collecting ... you'll start doing what we've all done.

After all it's a hobby ....

[Darrell]

The best advice is still >>>>>>>

POST ITEMS HERE BEFORE BUYING !

If you are not up to date on what original badges look like, you can get burnt very easily.

[jacquesf]

The best advice is still >>>>>>>

POST ITEMS HERE BEFORE BUYING !

If you are not up to date on what original badges look like, you can get burnt very easily.

Now this is good advice. Jacques

[Kelly w]

And some poeple like the battle worn or been there look. Nothing wrong with that. I do buy non-mint as well. That way you have a character piece and don't break the bank. I rather have 3 character different badges then one expensive mint. But i'm not in it for the long term value. I just collect what interests me.

I agree the best for show and re-sale is mint however. And most WAF members lean that way I think.

And yes always post your pics here before buying or make sure you have a solid return policy if you have it in hand before posting.

Kelly

[Cst. Greene]

I like that - "shotgun" approach, truer words have never been spoken.

Again, great advise from all, thanks for taking the time.

Dave

[Darrell]

I like that - "shotgun" approach, truer words have never been spoken.

Again, great advise from all, thanks for taking the time.

Dave

Yep. And everyone does it.
Usually with the cheap badges. Zinc etc.
But once you get a few, the majority of people upgrade to better quality.
They also sell off the many sub divisions and specialize.

Few and Quality

After all ... you wont keep them forever, but guaranteed ... the ones you keep the longest will be the choice pieces that most others don't have.