UBB.threads Forums General Interest Community Center How has the Internet Affected Our Hobby or You

The last 20 years has seen the rise of the Internet, and just as importantly, digital photography and the ability to transmit good photos in seconds. This has totally changed the landcape of many hobbies.

How has this affected YOU or our hobby of collecting military relics ?

I'll start it off:

Bad: Images can be stolen so some %^@$*% can sell items they do not own

Great: I can send images to experts to get a read on an item.

2d opinions are just a click away.

Couldn't imagine the hobby now without the internet..

It sure has changed the nature of big militaria shows. They used to be about the only way to see all the goodies for sale. Today, you can it all on the Internet.

Little chance of the big score in your local auction as every man and his dog has viewed the catalogue on line these days

You are right about that AJ. Sellers and auctioneers must be pleased.

I've given up going to auctions where the catalog is on line. I've seen worse bidding wars and overpayment at those than on eBay.

Sellers at shows seem better informed as well. I presume motel buyers are seeing this too.

Dave

Steffans,,Manions, and DG and even the old Shotgun news [for military],I think they all went the wayside due to the Internet!

Iterestingly, I believe it has expanded the market place and made it global and peaked the interest. IMO, it has added a number of new collectors (sorry, I can't identify the age) and my business has went to another level. While prices are going up and the competition is much more intense, it is still a hobby where those with knowlege have the advantage IMO.

its opened up the US and Germany to those of us down-under, vet pick ups here are few and are between for TR stuff. of course it all depnds on your collecting tastes our draconian gun and import laws are a right royal pain in the a$$

it has also enabled me to meet a hell of a lot of great guys like Andy Legere (Militarynut) who still help out newbies like me.

cheers

Having only collected for 3 years I couldn't imagine what the hobby would be like without the internet, although I am lucky enough to have a local militaria shop. The knowledge you can tap into here is priceless, as is the experienced views available at the tap of a few keys and the participation of a learned and helpful peer.Regards Andy.

It is such a double edge sword; it has opened up a world of on line friends and customers to us, and provided a source for rare things I look for myself that I would not have otherwise found at shows. ( US Home front flags) It has also allowed me to ID and authenticate items almost instantly.

But it has given Mr. & Mrs. J.Q.Public access to the same information (including this website) that I have studied, worked for, built up relationships, etc. it also offers them many other places to sell. We just lost out on a nice early SS dagger from a 97 year old lady, as after we made our offer, sent it down to one of the "big boys" in the dagger world. Even though his initial offer was less then ours, once he had it "in hand" he holds the cards...

Also people come into the shop knowing more about an item that we do because they spent hours on Wikipedia, then they say "well I saw it sell for X on the internet...."