Wittman - so many daggers in stock

[twoodson412]

In my opinion, military for investment is a tough one, because military collectibles, even daggers, are not liquid. However, if you follow the old investment strategy and buy and hold for the long term, it may make since to consider some items investments. In 20 or 30 years, I am sure WW2 items will sky rocket, just like they have since the 70s and 80s.

On the other hand if you think you can buy something now and sell it for a 40 percent return in a few years, good luck....

[Bob Hritz]

I can't speak for the investment issue because no one knows the future economic situation.

As for why Tom Wittmann has so many daggers; he deals in daggers. You don't want to go automobile shopping at a dealer with 3 vehicles to choose from. The logic says you go where you can select the model and condition that suits you. I will say that Tom puts his money where his mouth is. He is an active buyer of daggers at every show he attends. I have had him buy daggers, at my asking orice, and offer them on his list. It goes to prove that many collectors will pay a premium for the comfort of knowing the seller, his expertise in the field, and his reputation.

Bob Hritz

[mrec27777]

so whitt buys from you ,and people pay premium price for his items ...hmmm......what you trying to say ???? EC

[fdodge]

so whitt buys from you ,and people pay premium price for his items ...hmmm......what you trying to say ???? EC

I think Bob was very clear.
I have bought daggers form private parties and from a dealer or two, including Wittmann. I have no problems with any of my purchases. Wittmann has much more exposure to the hobby than I. I don't have the time or money for all the travel and sometimes I will pay the premium and figure I'm still ahead because I didn't have to pay airfare or a hotel and meals out and was making money because I didn't have to take time off work. If Wittmann makes a couple hundred bucks on a dagger I buy from him, I'm fine with that. It's in my collection and I'm happy.
It's free enterprise baby. Probably not alive and well in the country you come from but that's the way we do business here. We all have a choice on who we want to buy from.
So, WTH are you trying to say?

I would like to add that my customers pay a bit more for my services due to my experience, expertise and my years of experience. There are many cheap contractors in my area and they stay pretty busy, and so do I.

[11C]

I too have sold many daggers to Tom and seen them re-listed on his site. When he used to have the old "Offering" I was always amazed how much better they looked it there than on my wall. I never felt that he ever tried to get me to lower "my" price and I cannot complain with anything I ever purchased from him. I think he runs his business in a very professional manner and I understand you have to make money on your sales or you go broke. I figure, from my experience, he works with about a 20% profit on the best quality material and somewhat less on the "average" daggers. Unlike other dealers, he has lowered the prices on most of his inventory to reflect the change in markets. I'd buy from him today, if he had something I really needed. That's my take.....

[Ron Weinand]

Tom Wittmann is a full time dealer with the expertise to be a leader in the field. This is what you are paying for when you buy an item from him. He advertises, works the shows, supplies the merchandise and assumes the risk and has the knowledge. I guarantee you that he devotes more time to the hobby than 99% of you who are reading this thread. This is what you are paying him for when you buy from him. From what he invests in this business, he is like a Doctor of Daggers and well worth the price he asks.
Now, in the practice of daggers, does he make a mistake now and then: sure, we all do, but don't sell him short. He has done and will continue to do a lot for the hobby. Probably gives back more to the hobby than most full time dealers.

[kiwitedferny]

Tom Wittmann is a full time dealer with the expertise to be a leader in the field. This is what you are paying for when you buy an item from him. He advertises, works the shows, supplies the merchandise and assumes the risk and has the knowledge. I guarantee you that he devotes more time to the hobby than 99% of you who are reading this thread. This is what you are paying him for when you buy from him. From what he invests in this business, he is like a Doctor of Daggers and well worth the price he asks.
Now, in the practice of daggers, does he make a mistake now and then: sure, we all do, but don't sell him short. He has done and will continue to do a lot for the hobby. Probably gives back more to the hobby than most full time dealers.

As we say 'Down Under' - "Yip. Bloody Oath, Mate."

[JohnZ]

Isn't it interesting that many of the same people who think that dealers making a profit (is. Selling an item for more than what was paid to buy it) is obscene are the same people who insist on making money on their own purchases.

Does anyone out there not understand how businesses work? Or do believe the hype when you see an ad for items selling below cost?

On top of the legitimate dealer or business markup, when you buy from Wittmann, you also get his expertise and his warranty. What do you get when you buy from a collector? Or do you think that when a collector sells, he doesn't want to make a profit?

John

[mrec27777]

I think Bob was very clear.
I have bought daggers form private parties and from a dealer or two, including Wittmann. I have no problems with any of my purchases. Wittmann has much more exposure to the hobby than I. I don't have the time or money for all the travel and sometimes I will pay the premium and figure I'm still ahead because I didn't have to pay airfare or a hotel and meals out and was making money because I didn't have to take time off work. If Wittmann makes a couple hundred bucks on a dagger I buy from him, I'm fine with that. It's in my collection and I'm happy.
It's free enterprise baby. Probably not alive and well in the country you come from but that's the way we do business here. We all have a choice on who we want to buy from.
So, WTH are you trying to say?

I would like to add that my customers pay a bit more for my services due to my experience, expertise and my years of experience. There are many cheap contractors in my area and they stay pretty busy, and so do I.

EC

[The Red Baron]

Tom Wittmann is a full time dealer with the expertise to be a leader in the field. This is what you are paying for when you buy an item from him. He advertises, works the shows, supplies the merchandise and assumes the risk and has the knowledge. I guarantee you that he devotes more time to the hobby than 99% of you who are reading this thread. This is what you are paying him for when you buy from him. From what he invests in this business, he is like a Doctor of Daggers and well worth the price he asks.
Now, in the practice of daggers, does he make a mistake now and then: sure, we all do, but don't sell him short. He has done and will continue to do a lot for the hobby. Probably gives back more to the hobby than most full time dealers.

[Serge M.]

Has anyone looked at just how many daggers Wittman has in stock? He has so many daggers and swords it's crazy. Maybe this is a good thing but in many of his ads he openly talks about investment potential - but has the market for blades topped out years ago? Will a nice standard nickel ss degen go for not more than $10k? It seems so, I had a good look thru his inventory and he has like 10 to 15 daggers per category for sale - wtf is going to buy all his avg daggers where he asks for top price, not to mention his 3.5% credit card policy where he demands that u help pay for his past cc fraud issues...

In THIS country, buyers prefer to have a selection to pick from, the more the better.

In THIS country, we have a right to ask what we want for ANY item. Let the market determine the rest.

In THIS country, MORE of good is considered BETTER then less.

In THIS country, we feel proud of any man or woman who has succeeded to make their hobby into a successful business, who also gives employment for five people. WE like that in THIS country.

In THIS country, collectors honor those who have made such a huge contribution to this hobby for over 40 years as Wittmann Militaria has. We don't ask " Oh My, it seems you have too many daggers in stock-

In THIS country, we have a saying regarding 'choice': If you don't like the music, change the channel. However, in THIS country we love to have a choice. That's why we have so many numerous and varied stores, because in THIS country the more we have to chose from, the better we like it.

In THIS country we can put a price on any personal item we want. Someone else might think $10,000 of that early nickel SS Honor Degen is too high, but the next guy is glad he found it for that price, as other guy was higher, and not is the same condition. We, in THIS country, like that. That's normal for us.

In closing, In THIS country, most citizens have a understanding of what 'investment' means. They know that all items of value, do not always go up in price at all times. Most people in THIS country also know one thing: If you can find a better deal - Buy it.


-wagner-

[The Red Baron]

In THIS country, buyers prefer to have a selection to pick from, the more the better.

In THIS country, we have a right to ask what we want for ANY item. Let the market determine the rest.

In THIS country, MORE of good is considered BETTER then less.

In THIS country, we feel proud of any man or woman who has succeeded to make their hobby into a successful business, who also gives employment for five people. WE like that in THIS country.

In THIS country, collectors honor those who have made such a huge contribution to this hobby for over 40 years as Wittmann Militaria has. We don't ask " Oh My, it seems you have too many daggers in stock-

In THIS country, we have a saying regarding 'choice': If you don't like the music, change the channel. However, in THIS country we love to have a choice. That's why we have so many numerous and varied stores, because in THIS country the more we have to chose from, the better we like it.

In THIS country we can put a price on any personal item we want. Someone else might think $10,000 of that early nickel SS Honor Degen is too high, but the next guy is glad he found it for that price, as other guy was higher, and not is the same condition. We, in THIS country, like that. That's normal for us.

In closing, In THIS country, most citizens have a understanding of what 'investment' means. They know that all items of value, do not always go up in price at all times. Most people in THIS country also know one thing: If you can find a better deal - Buy it.


-wagner-

FREAKING LOVE IT.

[DAGGERMAN]

Wittman - so many daggers in stock

I usually do not reply to any forum period but this post is one that needs to be addressed. I have purchased over the years untold amount of daggers and swords from Tom Wittmann. Some people feel the need to belittle him by referring to him as "witty, I find that rather rude but it sums up the caliber of the person and their posts. Who would bother to waste their time with a child like poster in the first place is beyond me.

To move on with the point about prices and inventory he has on hand. Like many other I do like having a multitude of choices to pick from. This Quantity of items "COSTS" to keep on the shelf waiting for someone to purchase. Until these items sell there is a owner of these items who purchased with their own funds , you know
"THE DEALER" in this case Tom Wittmann.

Now if you do or do not consider militaria a investment many sure do myself being one of them. I have paid Toms prices for many many years. the items i purchased 25 years ago where i got Gouged for when bundled with items i have purchased more recent if sold today would net a gain after U.S income tax and the dealer buying them at wholesale from me a amount most could retire on while all the while have the item to display/enjoy/show off and have fun with.

Not too many items you can purchase and not take a hammering on the same day you buy it let alone enjoy then sell years later at a profit or even at a small loss.

Owning the item has a cost and a gain in the case of good quality military items over time the loss is small and the gain usually sizable. If you buy today to score tomorrow then gents you have come to the wrong hobby/investment.

In closing Tom Wittmann has done more for edged weapons and military collectibles then any ten men while doing this service and making money. This is what its all about. To me Tom is a great businessman and a great guy. I sure most of the intelligent folks on here have a dealer they feel the same about. For the nay sayers well its your petty thinking which keep you down and not "Wittys" prices. Daggerman

[Seigfried]

The amazing thing is the hagglers in the US market tend to be the Euros and the Brits, who want to bargain while coming in with currency advantages of 38-68%.

The £:$ rate at the moment is crap so we don't have any 'advantage'. As for haggling, I would be quite happy to pay most US dealers' prices, but we have to take account of our customs who stick on a 20% tax plus the extortionate overseas post.

[BrianK]

In my opinion, military for investment is a tough one, because military collectibles, even daggers, are not liquid. However, if you follow the old investment strategy and buy and hold for the long term, it may make since to consider some items investments. In 20 or 30 years, I am sure WW2 items will sky rocket, just like they have since the 70s and 80s.

On the other hand if you think you can buy something now and sell it for a 40 percent return in a few years, good luck....

This is the point I was trying to make. In this month's Military Trader magazine Bill Shea agrees that dagger prices are down. Have fun, enjoy collecting daggers, just don't worry about investment. With many collectors 50 - 70 years old they may not be able to wait 20 - 30 years to cash in.