How do I buy tubes?

My suggestion is searching at www.vintagetubes.com. Check it out and see how they test and sell vacuum tubes for more than 20 years.

I posted this thread, because I wanted to know what the members thought, about how to purchase tubes. Whether one should purchase, by the name printed on the tube, or by what manufacturer, actually made the tube? I know what I think, I'm interested in what, you all think.

The reason I started this thread, long ago, was I sold some tubes, that were relevant to this. They were Siemens NOS E188CC's. They were new, unused, but were labelled something else. I used pictures and descriptions, but still the buyer initiated a claim, because they were not labelled Siemens. I wanted to see if the A-gon community, felt as I did, or as he did.

You’ve been pondering about this for 18 years? I thought I was the only one here with too much time on my hands!

I use to shop around for the best price but not any more.  I use a vendor whom has earned my business by selling tubes that are tested and burned in. I pay for the service but to me it's well worth it.