This is intended for the new collector or collectors who have recently joined us on the Internet. More experienced collectors might also benefit from glancing through this, too .

If you got this far, Welcome to GDC. We have a varied and sometimes anonymous membership. Most everyone signed up here to learn or to help build the knowledge base of our hobby. But, you may not have figured out yet that a very few members have signed up to seek out newer collectors so they can steal their money with various scams. Also, if you found GDC then you probably found eBay, other forums, various dealer sites, and other auction venues. They have their share of the same people too.

OK, now for some advice:

- Do not ever respond to unsolicited emails offering you militaria. You have probably been selected as a pigeon to be plucked. One chronic offender is Pawel Tomasz Nowak of Poland. He will send you endless sincere documentation, but he will screw you. 100% Guaranty of that read all about him here:

http://daggers.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/8763084286/m/3490003694

- Don’t buy anything for a while except reference books. Go to shows and handle the stuff you like. Find local collectors who will help educate you. Ask questions here. Until you have a decent measure of knowledge in your particular interest you should keep your hands (and your wallet) in your pocket.

- Do not bid on German WWII Militaria on eBay unless you are considering a $10 tinnie and can afford to loose $12. It is against eBay rules to sell anything Nazi except books and stamps so that if you do get hosed, you will get no sympathy or help from eBay.

- If you DO decide to tempt your fate on eBay:

1. Never bid on an item where the seller’s feedback or bidders ID is hidden or ‘private’. You will hear various ingenious explanations why these are not shown, but do not be fooled.

2. Never bid on an item where ‘all sales are final’. The usual excuse is that these are consignment items, but that is hogwash. Honest sellers of consignments give an inspection periods on consigned items.

3. Read the seller’s feedback. Carefully.

4. Don't pay attention to the 'story'. It is usually 'taken off a dead German', 'brought in by the widow of a vet who needed grocery money', or something similar. It may be true .. or not, but that is not what you are buying.

5. Decide before you bid what the item is worth to you and bid no more. Auctions depend on ego competitions to pump up prices.

6. Do not take up second chance offers or offers from a seller after the auction is canceled.

Some General Advice:

1. Never, ever, buy anything from any of the old Warsaw Pact nations unless you live in that country itself. Once again, a chronic scam artist is Pawel Tomasz Nowak of Poland. He will send you endless sincere documentation, but he will screw you. 100% Guaranty of that

2. Never, ever, buy anything where the payment is required to be by bank transfer or Western Union.

3. Buy only in the country in which you live. You (hopefully) understand the legal system, speak the language, and have access to the police who can follow up your complaint.

4. Request that your purchase be sent via your country’s postal system. Most countries have much more severe penalties for those who use their postal service to cheat people than they do for those cheated via private companies like FedEx or UPS. Pay for insurance and for for signature confirmation of delivery.

5. Remember that images can be stolen very easily so it is NOT a certainty that the seller really owns that item. If you have doubts, ask for a picture from a different angle or picture that includes a simple item like a coin. If you are refused additional photos, it might be because the person does not have the item … or there are cracks or dents that would appear in different views. Move on.

6. If you are in doubt about a seller, do a search here or on other forums. Or, post a question asking whether others have experience of this seller.

7. You should have a "no questions asked" chance to review and return the item with the proviso that you pay the original postage and insurance and well as the postage and insurance on the way back. Do NOT mess with the item because in that case you just bought it !

8. You should not have to pay a "restocking fee" or a similar charge if you return the item within the agreed period. If a dealer site says he charges for "restocking fee" for for items returned under a "no questions asked" guaranty, then find another dealer.

9. If you put an item on lay-away and change your mind, you SHOULD expect to pay some sort of fee as the seller was kind enough to take he item off the shelf for you when he could have sold it to others.

10. "Lifetime Guarantees" are sometimes offered. You should ask what that means as interpretations may well vary. Get specifics.


I will lock this post. If you want to suggest additions or corrections, please send them to me.

Dave

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dave Hohaus,

Dave
I tried sending you a private message but I guess I don't have permission.

Another suggestion for us newbies would be how we should handle asking on the forums about rarity of a particular maker and the McSaar rarity scale.

Perhaps you should suggest that we purchase the McSaar as well as reference books.

As a relative new comer to GDC, I have just come across this thread.

Very valuable advice especially about our “friend” Mr Nowak.

I would however like to comment on a couple of things Dave wrote from the perspective of a bayonet collector.

Never, ever, buy anything from any of the old Warsaw Pact nations unless you live in that country itself

I think this is a little harsh – I’ve purchased 20 - 30 Austrian, Czech and Polish bayonets from ex WP countries and never had a problem.

Buy only in the country in which you live

I buy mainly from within the UK where I live, however, again I’ve never had a problem with the items I’ve purchased on eBay from the US and other countries.

Richie

Richie,

Those comments are meant for the new collector so he does not get scammed until he learn the pitfalls of collecting.

If you have 20-30 bayonets, then you are more advanced than a new collector

Dave