posted on September 26, 2008 08:51:43 AM new
Others are welcome to reply as well.
Bill, my next door neighbor has collected stamps since the 1940s and wants to sell his collection on ebay. I am not sure that is such a good idea but do not know where to direct him.
I know nothing about stamps. I suspect his collection may be worth something considering how long he has been at it and how enthusiastic he and his wife used to be about their collecting. He was active president of several stamp clubs over the years. He was an AF pilot and has collected all over the world. His collection includes both individual stamps and sheets.
He knows ebay prices won't be great but I do not know how he might protect himself against fraud should some of his stamps be worth real money.
Suggests on better places to sell than ebay would be appreciated. As would suggestions on the fraud protection angle.
posted on September 26, 2008 10:36:22 AM new
If he was one time president of stamp clubs,he must have some idea how much his collection is worth?
How about going to the stamp dealers to get an idea or attend some stamp shows?
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Gulag-a Soviet era concentration camp is now reincarnated as EBAY with 13,000 rules.
posted on September 26, 2008 11:12:47 AM new
hwahwa, he knows the book value but that does not mean much in the resale world any longer.
He is now too feeble to get out and about but his mind is good and he is somewhat computer literate. He thinks he is ready to learn ebay but I think it would be too much for him to do on his own and I have neither the time or desire to do it for him.
posted on September 26, 2008 12:43:07 PM new
I sell stamps on ebay (powerseller), have for a long time.
If your friend has not sold on e-bay it will be a daunting task to start.
All items will need pictures and that take a load of time.
If i did not have a picture library to work with I would have given up on it.
The resale of stamps today works like this
United States Stamp sheets and unused stamps from 1930 on are worth 50-&70% of face value.
This is assuming that they are mint and unhinged and undamaged. Stamps before that time need to be looked at individially.
A few of these stamps from that time frame are worth some more (not many)
They sell on E-bay for about 1-1/2 to 2 times face value.
I actually make my profit from off e-bay sales and shipping so the margin is thin.
The rest of the stamps will need to be filtered into valuable stamps and large lots and sold like that.
This takes a lot of time to do all of this as well as a lot of knowledge.
This is why most collections are bought out by people like me and Bill and others.
If you need more references for selling outlets let me know at [email protected]
posted on September 26, 2008 01:23:18 PM new
I'm glad LtRay asked this question. I have my son-in-law's stamp album and really haven't known where to start. I appreciate RPMs suggestions!
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posted on September 26, 2008 01:28:03 PM new
I have foreign stamps,what about those,they are used.going back 40s.50s.60s.
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Gulag-a Soviet era concentration camp is now reincarnated as EBAY with 13,000 rules.
posted on September 26, 2008 05:23:41 PM new
Good topic: I was wondering the same. I suscribed to the USPS stamp issues for about 20 years mid 80's to 2007. the stamps are in a trunk most still in unopened mailers. I'm thinking of selling the whole bunch as a lot one of these days.
posted on September 26, 2008 11:04:11 PM new
WOW! Thanks RPM and Bill for being so helpful and generous with your suggestions. I will send them to him and hopefully they will keep him busy for a while.
I really dreaded seeing him get involved with eBay. The last thing he (or any of us) needs is more stress!
