Macidy's Millitary gear search helper:     4-25-06  

 I collect different and unusual millitary pieces. I love to shop e-bay for these pieces, because of all the differing types, ages, and prices. Here is a helpful guide on how I find some of the best deals, and what to avoid.

The first thing I generally do, is get some idea in my mind on what I am looking for at the time: This may be more difficult than it seems. Like most people, when it comes to e-bay, I am like a little kid in a candy store. (This can cause serious problems, especially if you only have a limited amount of money to deal with.) Assuming you and I are not vastly wealthy, lets narrow our focus for the time being.

   The second thing I determine, is how much I am willing to pay for said item. Again, this seems simple, and common sense, but many people I know can spend alot more than they can cover, and go into debt quickly. For right now, lets try to avoid this mistake, and only spend what we can afford. (I can write a detailed "how to get into debt fast" manual later on.)

   The third thing is to start your search and then figure out how to narrow it down, without missing out on some nice possiblities. This is sometimes hard, because different people list things differently than others.

Let us take an "Army helmet" as a good item to do search test drive with. Go to the home page of e-bay, and type into the search column, "Helmet" . This will give you untold number of hits form all kinds of differing types of helmets. Everything from football helmets, to polo helmets, to millitary, and moto-cross. So, lets narrow the search down further, and search for "Millitary helmets". The more specific you are, the closer you will come to narrowing down what you really want to find. Be careful though, not to be "too" specific, or you may lose out. (In my  many wonderings through e-bay, I have discovered items hidden in the most unlikely spots, that turn out to be real gems.

   Ok, lets narrow down our search further again. Say for instance you want a modern kevlar helmet. To find that type, type in the search column "Kevlar helmet millitary" its also helpful to check mark the box to search in titles and descriptions (located in the lower portion of a search page, on the left hand side, in Yellow, under the heading "Search options".). this will usually narrow it down to the point to where you can scan through everything in a few minutes.

   Another easy way to narrow down your searches, and make it easier for you to find that special item, is to scroll down the page, and go to the section to the left of your screen titled "search options" in dark bold print. Here you can really get specific, and get it down to the country or continent you want to search, and how you want to pay for the item. (this is a very helpful, and time saving tool.)

   I almost alway exclusivly use only paypal to pay for my purchases, and almost always only choose to search the US. I do this for many reasons. The most important is I hate having to run out, and get money orders, or bank checks. Its a real pain, and a hassle. Many sellers will not take personal checks, or will wait for up to a week or more to make sure the check clears the bank before sending your item. (This is also a hassle I like to avoid.) The reason I usually only search the US, is because, I live here. Why pay extra postage for an overseas item, when I can get it right here usually, and save a small fortune in postage, and time waiting on the package. (This is of course only If i am searching for a US millitary items) If say, I was looking for a russian WWII helmet, then I would be foolish to only search the US.

   After you have narrowed down your search to the point that you feel that you have a good selection of the items that you want, but not too many, then go ahead and look thru them. (Always look at the persons feed back first.) This will save many headaches, and hassles later.) If they have lower than a 95% feedback, I usually move on. (My personal preference)

   The next thing I look for is if the seller knows what they are talking about, or are they just selling something they found in the attic. (You would be supprised at how many people do not know the difference between a steel pot liner, and a kevlar helmet.) Sometimes you can find great deals on stuff if you know what it is, and the seller does not. This brings me to my next search related item.

   When i look at items to buy, I will not even bother with something if it doesn't have a picture of some sort. If I am bidding on something, I want to make sure with my own eyes what it is I am getting. Nothing makes a person hotter than thinking they are getting a kevlar helmet, and instead receiving a pvc plastic replica instead. (again, some people, buyers and sellers do not know the difference.)

   Another good way to look at items is compare one sellers pictures to another sellers pictures. (The more the better.) Make sure all items are equal. If not, then we may have a problem.

   The next way I narrow my choices down is to look at the shipping and handling charges. (This all sounds very tedious, and time consuming, but if practiced, will only take a glance, and will definatly save you alot of big freight charges.) Shipping charges are all over the board, and many a hidden fee can be concealed within.

   If all are equal at this point, I try to narrow it down to quality vs. price. If I can get item "A" for less, than item "B" , I will do so. A good way to bid i have found, is to bid on item "A" . Bid it at 75% of what you are willing to pay for the item. (I know this goes against everything you have been told about bidding on e-bay...but wait....there is more.) Next part is, also bid on items "B" thru "E" that are of the same quality or similar to the item that you want. (Also make sure that the auction on the afore mentioned items do not end at the same time, or you may lose out.) On items "B" Thru "E", only bid the absolute minimum bid. I usually only bid a dollar or two, plus shipping.  That way, even if you do not get the first item, you have multiple backups in place. If for some freakish, end of the world chance, you do happen to win all the items (Assuming you have not blown your budget) you can turn around and resell all the "bargain" items you won  on e-bay, and make a profit for yourself. If done properly, you can even make all the other wins, pay for the one item you intend to keep.

   Making sure you get what you pay for: It is very important to be an informed shopper/buyer/collector. Most people on e-bay will not intentionally rip you off in my expirience. On occation however, someone will get ahold of uncle jimmy's battle gear from yester year, and try to sell it. They may list it as an item that they think it is, I.E. a currently issued kevlar helmet, when in actuality, it is a 1978 steel pot, that is next to worthless on the open market. There are many good websites that illistrate the different types of helmets, and various millitary gear, and the dates that these items were issued. you can also get alot of great reference books, and info on e-bay too.

   I hope this has been helpful,

              Macidy