I see alot of members selling items and indicate they are recent Vet pick ups. How do you guys go about getting in touch with the vets and their families?

Other than obvious word of mouth via friends and family members, what other ways are their to facilitate these types of pick ups, without being disrespectful.

Right now, adding to my collection is done via shows, the forums, dealers and *occasionally* a vet pick up. I'd like to increase the vet pick ups.

Jim

Jim, I think that most folks would be somewhat reticent in giving up all of their trade secrets but I will say that one of the most obvious and often used methods is newspaper advertising. This is a time tested method that brings results.

I think youd find that term being overused.VET Pickup seems to sell items better.If items are direct vet aquired thats fine but if an item was bought by a Picker and sold to a dealer well then that doesnt sound so romantic.Even if the seller is a VET did the man actually get the item himself during wartime or did he find it in the Garbage when his Neighbor died in the 60's or did he buy the item at a Gun show in the 70's?...Mostly wel will never know.I have had a few vets sell items to me over time but usually Family is the majority.

Tom, I understand your questioning of sources. When I did my motel buys, before I ever started, I memorized where each US Division involved in Europe went and were stationed. As the veteran came in to sell his items, the first question I would ask was: What unit were you in? Next, I would ask: Where did you get this item? What town?
You wouldn't believe how this levels the playing field. Believe me, I had a few who tried to BS me with a story and when I went into detail on locations, units, regiments, etc, the story either was correct or he failed and then when pushed, admitted he really didn't get it overseas and backed out the door.
IF you know your history and have the information, its hard to lie and do it quickly when challenged.
It also helped that my father and my uncle were both in Europe and stayed in the service for 25 and 35 years each and were involved in recruiting, so I did have a good military background and got to meet several of their friends from service (and got some relics from them too).
So, if you work at the hobby and know your history, finding the items from the veterans is easier. Too bad they are all leaving us now.
Ron Weinand
Weinand Militaria

I thought of the newspaper ads... They really work? I see a few constant ones in the paper everyday.

WANTED - WWII military items, awards, etc. Call so and so...

It seems so insignificant. I thought about it, but wasnt sure if it would be worth the money.

Jim

Post notices on the local VFW bulletin boards. Lots of current members have dads, granddads, and uncles that served in WWII, so the word gets out that you're interested

Newspaper classifieds have NEVER been very productive. Only 3% of the readers read the classifieds and, as we all probably know, newspapers are not doing very well with today's public. Readership has fallen into the basement. The only slavation is that the WWII veterans probably still read the papers, but I would question the classifieds. If they do read the classifieds, they have probably already sold.
JMO
Ron Weinand
Weinand Militaria

True enough. AS ron says newspaper advertising might not be as productive as it once was as I have not used that method in about 15yrs but I have heard that it still does produce on ocassion in my region. Remember there are areas in NJ that have the highest concentration of WWII vets then anywhere else in the entire United States. Also true as Ron says lots of the stuff touted as Direct Vet purchase is not. Maybe 1/3 of the stuff I get is actually from the Vet himself. The rest is either from the widow/cousin/brother/sister/son/daughter/neighbor/friend etc. I speak with many WWII vets on a consistent basis and I can tell you that MAYBE 1 out of 10 still has anything from WWII. Most sold, gave away, lost or had stolen their souvenirs years ago. The other hurdle is creating an incentive for them to sell you their stuff that they have held onto for more then 60 years. Money isn't always incentive enough!

I hear what you are saying. I was hoping my incentive for them to sell would be that I am a local person (police officer if that helps and I think it might to them?) who is looking to keep their items and value them for what they are.

I'm not saying that all dealers are, especially the guys here, this way... BUT.. to me, if I was a vet, selling my stuff to some stranger who is just looking to turn it around and make a few bucks on it would bother me. Maybe I'm the only one that feels that way, but I would much rather my stuff goe to someone who wants it for what it is, not for what its worth.

I don't have any children right now. If I end up never having kids, I think I would sell my collection first to a friend or another collector before a dealer.

Thanks for the continued ideas...

Jim

Oh, I see you are from NJ too... did you go to the Union show today? I was working midnights and my show partner got sick, so I wasnt about to trudge 1 hour away by myself. I was looking forward to it too, small as it is.

I live in northern NJ, outside NYC. Always looking for new connections in the field.

Jim

Jim, Yes I'm from NJ, originally from North NJ but i'm presently living in central NJ. I'm a 10 yr Army Vet and that does go a long way with fellow Veterans as does having a true interest in their stories & military history. I consider myself a collector first and foremost. It is not the value of the items that motivates me. I'm in my very early 40's and have been collecting for nearly 20 yrs, actually I recieved my first German helmet at age 10. I have not attended the Union show in about 9 yrs! I don'y know how much it has changed but it used to be a pretty good show attended by some of the bigger brand name dealers.