A reputation is all important

tiger2 · Joined: 11 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

I notice some mud slinging is starting on this forum. That's to be expected, I see it on others too. I think we need to be careful when we are making accusations in public about another collector or dealer. People tend to believe anything they see in print and, once said it can't be un-said.
One writer on this forum refers to reading bad things about a collector on another forum and is basing his opinion of the collector on what he has read, not what he knows. Is this wise?
I've been a collector for a lot of years and have been to a lot of shows and met and lot of dealers and heard a lot of talk etc. etc. One thing I've noticed is that, over the past few years, there has been quite a bit of jealosy develope between the so called ''big time'' dealers and collectors. They seem to be forming mutual admiration societies and if you not a member, watch out! The S.O.P. seems to be to support their buddies with glowing admiration and to call anyone else a sorry SOB who sells nothing but fakes. It's too bad but that's the way things seem to be going.
I've met the dealer/collector who was slandered in these pages and, although he is a real ''character'', I didn't get the impression he was a crook (like some I could mention). I have seen his inventory of items and once, many years ago, even visited his home. He has thousands of items and I'm sure has had tens of thousands pass through his hands. It would be a miracle indeed if he was never fooled by a fake that someone else spotted. I do notice that he gives a very good guarantee with his militaria and I've personally never heard anyone complain about him not honoring it.
So, lets give the benifit of the doubt, and cut some slack for him and all the others who are doing their best in this difficult hobby.

The Thicket · Joined: 17 Jul 2007 Posts: 86 Location: Right Here.

Tiger,
I agree with what you have stated... This used to be a hobby, and a very fun one at that where everyone was happy for the next guy who would unearth a wounderful find, or go to a show and find a killer deal..

Just a thought.

der oberst · Joined: 16 Jul 2007 Posts: 4

If a reputation is so important in this hobby then why is it that year after year I see the same crooks at the shows selling fakes right and left??? There is one guy, I'll call him BJ, who has been around for years and has a reputation, and well deserved, for selling high price fakes. He specializes in 'art object' like bronze statues. This creep has been selling this garbage as long as I can remember and he is still able to push the stuff off at the shows. A bad rep has not slowed him down one bit. It's a sorry state of affairs!

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