First militaria destination and the last I check at night!

Combat Relics · Joined: 14 Jul 2007 Posts: 161

I wonder how many viewers realize what an asset this website is.

I check dozens of spots on the net each day for newly offered relics (Ebay is SELDOM checked) I find a moderate amount of new items of interest each day.

This website is checked at least 5, and as many as 10 times per day because so much new stuff shows up from so many sources, and it takes a few seconds to just take a peek at the gallery!

I don't wait and debate, I buy! Did nobody but me see the $285 SS EM Aluminum buckle? I got it!

What about the $85 army general's mint flatwire bevo breast eagle? I would have been happy to find one at $400!

So this site is rewarding me well for paying attention!

We have everything here that is badly needed. We get web traffic and a system to do listings and sales as well as buying.

We have a great little forum (Wish more guys would participate) and the blog is full of useful info and growing.

In time, as it develops, we could see a thriving and expanding community that is THE first destination daily for relics and information. It is also my last check at night to see what I might have missed!

I have found a lot of great items at affordable prices here. I also have met a lot of great guys and had satisfactory experiences with everybody.

I am willing to pay a reasonable fee per month or year to support this site. The cost of designing, building, maintaining, hosting, and evolving a site like this one is high. I see no advertising littering our pages, so the cost is being born solely by the site owner. I thank Bob for creating this valuable resource for all collectors.

If we were all to build our own sites, it would not only be costly in money, but in time. Just monthly hosting with adequate bandwidth allowances would be $50 or more! We would likely never get the traffic, exposure or interaction we can gain here. Of course sharing the site may seem like competition to some. I feel personally it is more comradeship, or a club. Personally I do not wish to be chained to a personal website any more than I wish to be chained to eBan.

The site had only 11 pages of items in July, and currently has 56 pages. (56 x 25 items) of listings for sale. I am guessing that at lease 250-350 additional listed items, must have also been sold in that time. That, my friends, is called 'growing by leaps and bounds'.

What is the selection like on the many sites you have found online? Many sites I see have 'SOLD' on 50% to 80% of the items they still display.

I look at what is listed here, and there are items for every budget and collecting area of interest. The prices of many items are far lower than I see on some similar object elsewhere on the net.

There are many items that should be gone at the listed price. This will occur the moment that seeker finds the site! So if you are on the fence about an item, better keep that in mind!

So I ask you, what other sites are out there to help an individual sell his items, or to buy items without restriction and Big Brother rules?

Combat Relics · Joined: 14 Jul 2007 Posts: 161

I got an email that basically stated that the writer suspected that I am somehow involved with running, and owning this website.

Let me assure you nothing like that is happening. I am just another guy here like any one of you. I am dedicated to being a presence, but am not in charge of squat!

I was a subscriber to the Gauleiter in the 1970's and 80's. Like thousands of other collectors I found that publication to be of prime importance and a valuable asset to my collecting efforts.
Bob Treend is the visionary who invented that immensely influential publication, which we all considered indispensible to the 'hobby'.

He did not grab up the best items, and then publish the ads. That only occurred after he sold the publication. As a result of this and other things, the Gauleiter finally died out.

A collector I have known since 1974, informed me in July, that Bob had undertaken another daring experiment online. I was intrigued.

Especially so, since the huge community of collectors online had lost eBay as a serious destination for relics and for selling.

This website gives the collectors of the world a place to buy and sell, without the restrictive ''Big Brother'' restrictions of eBay.

I came to this site, and immediately I saw the potential. I joined, and have endeavored since then to participate in a thoughtful and helpful manner.

I have met and interacted with some really great collectors here.

I try to give advice that will benefit collectors over the course of their involvement in this field. This wisdom is the product of experience in this collecting area since 1963 when I first started as a kid.

I am also very active in trying to get the word out. Since July 2007, when there were 11 pages of sale items, it has expanded to 57 pages today. That is 57 pages PLUS all the pages of items that have sold!

So guys, if you want to see more great stuff pop up in the listings, get the word out! Make some mention of this site when you are passing around information! Tell people they can buy and sell here! Read the blog! Read the forums and post your well considered input here!

Also if there is a 'real stinker P.O.S. junk item', listed for sale here, let Bob know! He is doing his best, but nobody knows everything!

It is hard to condemn items on suspicion, as we have not all seen every variant of every item. Further sometimes you cannot really tell from a picture (especially a really crappy picture!) So help in this area is welcomed. We all want the site to be as good a source as possible.

Bob Treend · Site Admin Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Posts: 92

Sometimes it's hard to tell if it's better to say something or just keep quiet... Ok, I'll stick my neck out and give my two cents worth.

Nr1seller has been a real asset to this site. He has provided some great insights on the forum, has been a very active seller and has shown that he is reliable to deal with. I know that there are some people who have trashed him on another forum. Personally, I don't think he deserves it. I suspect that the criticisms are the result of rumors that have simply snowballed out of control. Unforunately, when this type of thing starts it's almost impossible to stop. The damage is done. I have never received one compalint about his dealing!

As to the idea that he is associated with me in some way to promote the site. This is completely false. He is a member just like you and that's it. I have never asked him to post any promotions for the site, they have all been his idea (and I appreciate it).

Some collectors/dealers are more insightful than others and are able to see the potential of what I'm doing better than their piers. He is one of them. Instead of doing like some dealers and ignoring the site in the hope that it will go away (they don't like anything that smacks of competition) he understands that this site is a great deal for all collecors/dealers and is making the most of it.

Some of his posts have been controversial. Good! That's what the forum needs. If nothing else they provide food for thought and stimulate debate which is what a forum is all about.

Now, stop reading and post your thoughts on our hobby. We are all interested in what you have to say.

dwhitwo254 · Joined: 11 Feb 2008 Posts: 1

Well I am new here and may not visit much as my militaria collecting is limited these days. I found this site while trying to research some political uniforms I just picked up (assorted stuff). I always wondered why someone didn't start a site where everyone could sell military items unhampered since ebay censorship is rampant.

I don't know of many sites so of course I would welcome recommendations if that is allowed. Seems like the auction houses have everything tied up for buying and selling and I have gotten about most all the information since visiting here last week.

It looks like I have a couple early SA shirts and kepi and ties and one very interesting WW1/Imperial german navy cap.

Thanks for the site
dave

	Militaria Forum Forum Index -> About our Web Site & Forums	All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1