You don’t have to search hard to find someone willing to sell you military medals and patches online, but that doesn’t mean you’ll walk away with results you’ll be happy with. And shopping for military accolades can be trickier than you might expect.

Even if you find an online retailer that you can depend on doesn’t mean that they’re going to have the selection or the expertise you need. For that reason, take the time to consider your options. Evaluating the qualities below will make it easier to find a trusted online source for military medals and patches.

Selection

Throughout the history of the United States, there have been a dramatic number of different medals and accompanying ribbons made. Many of them are discontinued or have been replaced by other medals, but all of them represent a part of military history.

The number of available options becomes staggeringly larger once you take patches into consideration. Since many military patches aren’t officially sanctioned by the brass, the potential selection for these badges is huge.

Take some time to peruse a site’s catalog before you settle on one for good. Wider variety means that you won’t have to settle for less when building out your private collection or constructing a shadow box.

Knowledge

The etiquette and history behind military medals and badges is a highly specialized skill set, and it can be incredibly useful to have a brand by your side that knows the intricacies of the field. While an impersonal wholesaler might be appealing from a price perspective, you’ll see better results by going through a company that knows what they’re talking about.

Look for veteran-owned businesses. Not only do they understand the ins and outs of military medals and patches better than the average civilian, but they also have a reputation to uphold as veterans.

Having someone who can explain the meaning of different medals is a huge boon, but it’s just one of many. If you’re trying to build a ribbon rack or a shadow box, more experienced providers can automatically order your medals or ribbons and arrange them in a way that’s in line with your branch’s protocol.

Loyalty

It might seem odd to expect loyalty from a company, but is it that odd to expect a company serving soldiers and veterans to treat them with honor and respect? If you’re looking for more than a one-time purchase, make it a priority to track down an online source that you can trust.

Online reviews can tell you a lot of the story here. While every review isn’t necessarily going to be salient, the bigger picture can provide you with a far more insightful perspective on how a company does business. Putting aside the quality of the product itself, seeing how a company handles complaints by its customers will give you a better impression of how you can expect to be treated.

Especially keep an eye out for loyalty programs. Many online sources for military medals and patches will provide discounts to recurring customers or even cash back programs that reimburse you for a percentage of your spending.

Getting What You Deserve

Fundamentally, finding an online source for military medals and patches isn’t that different from shopping for anything. Look for a brand that seems trustworthy and has enough variety to actually suit your needs. But don’t be willing to sacrifice quality for the sake of variety. 

And if you get discouraged, don’t worry. There are some seriously high-quality online sources for military medals and patches, and that’s true whether you’re a veteran, an active service member, or a collector.