The people you encounter...

[Auke]

I was selling a Soviet General's uniform on a Dutch auction site when I received an e-mail from a women that was a model and wanted to wear the uniform during her 'activities'. There was also a picture attached of the women in police outfit with handcuffs in her mouth. At first I thought it was one of Norm's jokes, but when I entered her e-mail address in Google, I was led to some... well... 'unusual' sites, with 'unusual' pictures and 'unusual' bedtime stories. She was willing to pay what I asked for the uniform, but I declined... I don't want to think of my uniform in that context...

Does anybody else have experiences with strange buyers when selling militaria?

[deValcourt]

Certainly nothing like that because I don't sell anything (but property taxes are due next month, so we'll see). However, one of my relatives that I did not know existed, emailed me last week with a "who are you?" because he had just done a search on "de Valcourt" and told me he found lots of "Soviet awards stuff" under my name and a picture of me in my recently acquired KGB captain's uniform.

To cut to the chase, he (so presumably anyone) was able to find my name and email address (and a few other things about me) without too much effort. That's a little unnerving.

Auke, your story is much more interesting. What's that website address?...(just kidding).

Phillip

[Tretov]

I have encountered the kind of interest Auke mention and I have sold some unnamed, usually so-called "overstock" items to people with these and similar interests. Soviet and SS reproduction uniforms are commonly seen on fetish and kinky parties here in Sweden. I have no problems with this. I have more issues with the "professional collectors" who openly dismiss Soviet militaria as junk. I think I mentioned this in another thread.

[Bob]

This thread is useless without pictures

[Tretov]

Originally Posted by Bob

This thread is useless without pictures

I would love to contribute with a pic I have, but I get the feeling that Art wants to keep the forum sober.

[Auke]

I knew you guys would ask for the picture...

Well... OK. I guess this one is acceptable for all ages. So here you go:

[Tretov]

She was older than I expected.

[Esteban_cool]

I´ve auctioned several items, and more than once some people have asked to pay less for them or if I rent them for costume parties/halloween. Of course, I refuse.
Sometimes my replies get rather harsh when they insist, especially when they say "what´s the big deal? it´s just a smelly jacket from an unexisting country! Why won´t you leave it to me for less? I´ll use it just once and then return it!" It pisses me off, but still I am kindhearted enough to let them know they´re WRONG.

[EricFG]

Wow. There's money to be made here you unifirms guys, You know that size smalls are hard to get rid off, and it looks like this woman could wear a man's small. If I had access I'd get a uniform jacket, some breeches, boots and a pilotka. Tack on a belt and some boards, maybe an anniversary medal or two and ask Madame X how many she wanted. Same goes for that DDR stuff; still somewhat plentiful and cheap....

[deValcourt]

Originally Posted by EricFG

Wow. There's money to be made here you unifirms guys, You know that size smalls are hard to get rid off, and it looks like this woman could wear a man's small. If I had access I'd get a uniform jacket, some breeches, boots and a pilotka. Tack on a belt and some boards, maybe an anniversary medal or two and ask Madame X how many she wanted. Same goes for that DDR stuff; still somewhat plentiful and cheap....

You may have something there. The small sizes are plentiful and I wouldn't want to impede the arts...Don't worry Patrick or Esteban, I'm only joking.

Phillip