Buying from outside UK

[Khyber]

Hi all.

No offence meant to friends/collectors/dealers from these countries but is it OK to buy from ebay dealers in Ukraine/Bulgaria/Spain/Italy etc. Also, how are postal services in these countries? I am from India (not the best on ebay!) and have only bought from UK dealers and a couple of times from Canada and Australia. I really don't know the ebay scene in continental Europe. So just want some advice before I bid.

Thanks in advance!

[Artynut]

Hello Khyber, I've had one trade with a Russian, no problem and two from one dealer in Spain, no problem. I guess the best you can do is to check their feedback column. I'm in Canada. Good Luck!.

[High Wood]

I buy and sell items on ebay and will not sell to certain countries unless the buyer agrees to pay for International Signed For postage. That way both parties are covered if an item fails to arrive.

With regard to buying militaria on line from some of those countries that you listed, I would ask myself why are so many unusual/rare items coming from such countries if there has been no military connection with them? The obvious exception is Crimean War items coming from the Ukraine but why are British Indian badges turning up in Bulgaria and Romania? I think that the conclusion is obvious.

Caveat Emptor.

[Khyber]

Yes, that was what worried me..It's quite difficult to find Indian Army badges in India, so a little surprised they're turning up in the CIS countries...

[manchesters]

Bulgaria is a big No No.
Centre for fakers.

regards

[navyfred]

Hello Khyber,

I'm UK based.I have quite a wide collecting interest and do buy a lot on eBay. I tend to think about where items are likely to be found before I buy. I entirely agree that Indian badges being sold from Eastern Europe do raise questions. I have bought some good Bulgarian items from Bulgaria for example.

I have found that if you collect badges to any of the Commonwealth countries then you are best to source them from Commonwealth countries. I think that people have found it easy to move around Commonwealth countries in the past. As many had military connections and some were collectors, then there are good items out there. If you are looking for older Commonweath items the the UK is probably the best place to look.

Just my experience and opinions but hope this is of some help.

Regards fred

[David Tremain]

I would agree with Khyber about not being able to find Indian badges in India. When we were there a few years ago I couldn't find anything, apart from a couple of buttons and a cadet pin. Another badge our guide found for me turned out to be an Air India Purser's badge (shown on the Forum shortly afterwards) and not something to do with the Indian Air Force.

David

[Peter Brydon]

Funnily enough in many years of collecting to the Kings Liverpool Regiment, I have found items for my collection all over the UK and elsewhere but relatively few items to the Regiment actually in Liverpool .

P.B.

[fougasse1940]

Advantage of buying British or Commonwealth items outside the UK or the Commonwealth is that there is a bigger chance items are wrongly listed and thus draw less bidders. Having said that, you can be equally ripped off by British or Commonwealth sellers as well.

Best and most honest advice is to gain sufficient knowledge to buy with confidence from anywhere, there are no shortcuts. And insist on internationally signed for postage.

Rgds, Thomas.

[Khyber]

Thank you all for the replies!

[Frank Kelley]

LOL, agreed, truly shocking!

Originally Posted by manchesters

Bulgaria is a big No No.
Centre for fakers.

regards

[Frank Kelley]

I find that a little surprising. in particular, if you are talking about pre 1947 rank and file.

Originally Posted by Khyber

Yes, that was what worried me..It's quite difficult to find Indian Army badges in India, so a little surprised they're turning up in the CIS countries...