First Purchase - Real or Fake SS armbands.

[SteveR]

In very first call I made when I decided to collect, I was told: "Don't buy sh_t. When you buy sh_t, you always have sh_t. Buy the very best you can afford, and it will always go up in value." He was right.

Besides holding $hit in your hand is smelly and nasty.

[bigmacglenn]

I suggest the armband from Grenadier as it's in better condition...By the way, these weren't worn on the battlefield...
cheers, Glenn

[alexanderhistorical]

Buy the better one!

[Friedrich-Berthold]

I say: buy one attached to a black sleeve, attached by a black jacket....!

[COLOR="silver"]

[harryamb2]

I like the soiled one, but would buy the clean one.

[ddavies]

I can only agree with Wagriff's opinion and strongly suggest you take his advice. Condition, like in anything, is everything and though for some new collectors that "used" look can be more appealing at first, in the long run you'll be much more satisfied and have a stronger investment in the "mint" examples. Besides, five hundred dollars for that rough example is just a bit too high IMO.
I would also like to suggest you shouldn't be fearful of buying from collectors, and instead, only buying from "reputable dealers" suggested to you all because you got burnt once. Those "perfect" dealers can be wrong just as much as anyone as we have seen so often before.
In addition to said reason above, buying from collectors is also a way you can get what you want for a lot cheaper. The only precaution I'd suggest in doing this would be you verify the item you're interested in is original on these fora prior to sending any payment; it's important to learn who to trust on these sites just as well FYI. There are many chameleons as well novice, such as myself, on these sites who can give ill advice unintentionally.

--I almost forgot, both examples are indeed original as said and in the end you must remember only you have to be happy with Your decision as you'll be the new owner.

Youthcollectors advice is sound,any reputable dealer can make a mistake.If your unsure you can always ask for opinions on forums from more advanced collectors.And in time as you learn you will find yourself in the position of being able to offer help and advice to other new collectorn.
I'm a prime example,Before joining any forums i used to buy from ebay and all over the place with very little or no research as you can imagine i made quite a few mistakes.
Back to the arm bands I prefer used and salty over mint items.I understand logic in buying mint in a view to selling on in the future.
As already said there both nice examples,I'm sure you will chose wisely.
Cheers
Dave.

[Jaysmark]

I say: buy one attached to a black sleeve, attached by a black jacket....!

[COLOR="silver"]

Um yeah, if you pay for everything but the armband I'm in.

[Jaysmark]

Thanks for all the help guys. If anyone sees a cheaper used version let me know.

[Friedrich-Berthold]

Thanks for all the help guys. If anyone sees a cheaper used version let me know.

Do let me say to you in unvarnished terms that the combination of "cheaper" and "SS" usually equal disappointment if your ambition is to secure an authentic item.

I am sure you can, with huge effort and much time, find something less expensive....but both of these items you have shown us here are less expensive than the other on line sources of which

I am aware. And these are sound sources in my experience. I have worked with both dealers and I vett material for them both.

[Friedrich-Berthold]

I also tried to buy an arm band from a member here, a teen ager, and the experience was a real disappointment and no savings in cost. And no arm band, either.

What I might have saved in a hundred dollars was metabolized by the wasted effort this person caused.

He also stopped posting here, which is for the better.

I never made an issue out of it in public, but I mention this now as concerns the idea that somehow collectors are without fail more honorable than dealers.

As a rule of thumb, SS material is expensive. I can speak from fifty years of experience.