Prices of Uniforms etc.

[JaimeH]

We in the WWII militaria collecting hobby have seen an increase in prices the last few years. Much of this is caused by the internet. But how many times do you return to a site and see the items still there after 1 year or 6 months?

[Rick Research]

I'm not an edged weapons collector (too clumsy), but it seems to me that it is even worse in that field. The "Top Names" issue catalogs whose contents do not change dramatically... from year to year to year. Some items (I monitor Imperial) have been there longer than it takes to get through high school or college. And I'm not talking the "exotic" super-expensive stuff, either, just normal items grotesquely overpriced. (imperial damascus swords for instance.)

We all know dealers who offer items at double and triple what others sell the same items for, and there are a certain number of collectors who seem to take comfort in this overpricing ("it MUST be 'better'--it COSTS more...") or the "cachet" of a Big Name.

The problem becomes when these Vanity Offer prices (the ones everybody quotes, but nobody actually GETS) are accepted as the BASE, rather than the over-the-top end. Like any other supply and demand issue, choking off commerce with unrealistic expectations thwarts collectors and can't be doing much for dealers (of whatever "Size") warehousing material that isn't selling.

[CSP]

And try selling any of YOUR stuff at those prices - better yet, try sell your stuff through these big names and see what a mark up they take. I do not necessarily begrudge this as it is a business on their part. However, I wish there was more trading amongst collectors. The dealer is almost at the top of the food chain - the collector the squirt.
Scott

[JaimeH]

With everyone one having access to these sites ,you can't make a fair offer because you"ll hear "I've seen this on the net for double your offer"

[Jos L C]

Most collectors are buying things for there collection for big money.
It must be quite exciting for a dealer,who just updated his site,to let it go with all those fingers on the buttons who's pressing first.
It's just like overfishing the seas.
I think we all have to let it rest for a few years(that hurts!)Let them dealers beg and maybe the Faking Industries are also running outoff gas.
I'm frustrated too!



[ 02 June 2001: Message edited by: wespennest ]