Challenge coins

[SarDragon]

Just don't use Vanguard for custom coins. 

They don't want to operate like a business, they won't get my business.  That coin, and many subsequent reorders have now all been handled through another vendor who generally understands the words "customer" and "service" when they're used in conjunction.

One of the Squadrons wanted to order patches from Vanguard. I was asked and I asked for how much. It was three times than what a local vendor charges.

The only way Vanguard survives is that people in CAP think they are the only option.

Not by a long shot. Vanguard's CAP income is chump change compared to their income from their RealMilitary™ sales.

And if you want to bash Vanguard, find another thread. 

[wuzafuzz]

As COWG DC I've been toying with the idea of a COWG Communicator's Coin...just because it would be fun. 

Vanguard might be the preferred vendor but there's no way I'm sending them MY money when they don't even post a sample photo of their product.
http://www.vanguardmil.com/civil-air-patrol-coin-personalization-p-16597.html

I understand they are custom so one pic won't tell the entire story.  A hint of what's possible would be nice.

That Vanguard item is really just for the engraving that can be done on these:
http://www.vanguardmil.com/civil-air-patrol-coin-cap-appreciation-silver-p-15148.html

That clears things up a bit, thanks.  I can see those being useful in the way Eclipse described.  Keep some on hand and engrave locally for quick turnaround.  The completely custom coins sure are appealing though.  IMHO CAP coins would be less "fun" if they all look the same.

When i get back home from my wing conference I'll post a couple more coin vendors. The coins I have came in little baggies with the company name on them, neither of which have been posted here.  (Wing conference = those blessed couple of days where no one is emailing me  :angel:  )

[Private Investigator]

Just don't use Vanguard for custom coins. 

They don't want to operate like a business, they won't get my business.  That coin, and many subsequent reorders have now all been handled through another vendor who generally understands the words "customer" and "service" when they're used in conjunction.

One of the Squadrons wanted to order patches from Vanguard. I was asked and I asked for how much. It was three times than what a local vendor charges.

The only way Vanguard survives is that people in CAP think they are the only option.

Not by a long shot. Vanguard's CAP income is chump change compared to their income from their RealMilitary™ sales.

And if you want to bash Vanguard, find another thread. 

Excuse me for having bad experiences with them. Also when I was "real military" I never did business with them then either. So YMMV   

[Luis R. Ramos]

Oh so now we have to post messages favorably only to a company being discussed? Who made you "Thread Police" to tell others what to post? If someone else has a bad experience with company X, that is great for others to know!

                                 

Flyer

[That Anonymous Guy]

Oh so now we have to post messages favorably only to a company being discussed? Who made you "Thread Police" to tell others what to post? If someone else has a bad experience with company X, that is great for others to know!

                                 

Flyer

Viva la revolucion!

[a2capt]

Well, the "take it to another thread" is kinda implied here, though many threads to tend to melt. There are plenty of even semi-active threads about Big V Issues. The topic here was looking for coin sources. That's all that was being asked.

[SarDragon]

Oh so now we have to post messages favorably only to a company being discussed? Who made you "Thread Police" to tell others what to post? If someone else has a bad experience with company X, that is great for others to know!

 

Flyer

It's my thread. I came on here asking for sources. There have been some excellent responses. The first couple of responses detailing Vanguard's quality and pricing were good. Continually bashing them serves no useful purpose on my thread. That's why I asked that you take it elsewhere.

[resqspc]

When I was on active duty, USMC 1976-1980 I do not recall anyone ever getting a 'challenge coin'. One year for the Marine Corps Ball everyone got a brass belt buckle. In the reserves one year after summer camp the officers presented the most deserving enlisted man a 'presentation Ka-Bar". After "Desert Storm" I started seeing them.

Not surprised by this; prior to Desert Shield/Storm, it was primarily an Army practice that had been in and out over several decades. If the Special Forces guys didn't revive it solely among themselves during the Viet Nam War, they certainly made it widely known. Certainly, for the longest time, the *only* way to get one's hands on a coin (outside of the occasional coin in estate sales/militaria acutions/coin shops/pawn shops) was to get it as an unofficial 'attaboy' from your commander. Later on, at the BN/BDE level and below, they were awarded by the CO or the CSM/SGM of the unit. Some units, over time, designed coins that existed to be given to newbys once they had been there long enough to be considered part of the 'family'--in addition to the CO's coin. The practice appears to have spread during ODS...certainly, when I was on AD, I never had to explain the meaning to any Marine of sailor who served alongside Army units during the Gulf War.

Only in the Air Force (I'm an Army vet who works for the AF as a civil servant) do you encounter the bizarre phenomenon of an all-hands announcement like: "The new unit coins are in--see TSgt Wingwiper to get yours. Cost is $5.00 per coin." And any old schmoe with a fiver can buy the unit coin--which is how I built my collection of AF over the years.

[PHall]

Only in the Air Force (I'm an Army vet who works for the AF as a civil servant) do you encounter the bizarre phenomenon of an all-hands announcement like: "The new unit coins are in--see TSgt Wingwiper to get yours. Cost is $5.00 per coin." And any old schmoe with a fiver can buy the unit coin--which is how I built my collection over the years.

There's a difference between a "Unit Coin" that anybody can get and a "Commander's Coin" that you get when you make the boss look good.

[resqspc]

I've been tasked to come up with a list of companies who make these coins, preferably quality ones. I know some of y'all have had them made. What say ye?

This might help you:

https://www.mypoints.com/emp/u/mysearch.vm?fctb.tb=1&ourmark=1&q=Challenge+Coin+Manufacturers&st=mypWeb

[SarDragon]

I've been tasked to come up with a list of companies who make these coins, preferably quality ones. I know some of y'all have had them made. What say ye?

This might help you:

https://www.mypoints.com/emp/u/mysearch.vm?fctb.tb=1&ourmark=1&q=Challenge+Coin+Manufacturers&st=mypWeb

Thank you.

[Luis R. Ramos]

Your thread? How much money did you pay to post in it?

Flyer

[Peeka]

Your thread? How much money did you pay to post in it?

Flyer

His 2 cents 

edit: to clarify

[wuzafuzz]

Only one of my coins still has the little baggie with a brand name on it.  www.wemakecoins.com    They made the CAP-USAF Rocky Mountain Liaison Region coin I have.  It's a very nice coin.  I have no idea what their prices or service are like. 

[Luis R. Ramos]

His 2 cents 

So my 2 cents should be as important as his, and so are your 2 cents if you have a contrary view... 

Flyer

[Grumpy]

Well, they're supposed to stop making cents pretty soon.  😆

[That Anonymous Guy]

Well, they're supposed to stop making cents pretty soon.  😆

Pennys, now Ill just start giving 5 cents to everyone.

[SarDragon]

I started this thread to gain information. The general dissatisfaction with Vanguard has been expressed here and elsewhere. Pylon made a good general statement regarding Vanguard, and served as sufficient notice to anyone reading this thread that they were not a good choice.

Anything past that was just bashing, and counterproductive to the purpose of the thread. Hence, I asked that such bashing be taken elsewhere.

Excuse me for having bad experiences with them. Also when I was "real military" I never did business with them then either. So YMMV   

Vanguard provides a significant amount of the military insignia available in the exchanges and uniform shop, so I'm sure you did business indirectly.

For everyone who provided info, thank you. If there's someone else who has a supplier that hasn't already been posted, please PM me. I'm outta here.

Vanguard bashers, it's all yours! 

[whatevah]

As an admin, I'm with SarDragon on this. This thread has nothing to do with patches or any other item besides coins.  Any future off-topic posts in this thread will be deleted.

[a2capt]

Some of the various coin foundries may also charge you less if you allow them to list yours for sale in their catalog, or pay ~$2 more to get them "exclusive".