Posts Tagged ‘selling stamps’

Stamp collecting is considered to be one of the most popular hobbies in the world. This is despite the fact that there is not that much money that can be made from it even if the person has some of the oldest stamps dating back to the 19th century.

Even if there isn’t that much money that can be made, there are individuals who take advantage of it and buy a lot of stamps then sell it to people who want it for a little profit. It has made these people both collector and dealers of stamps.

Just like the regular hobbyist, the dealer has to be careful in handling these. Should any dirt, oil or any damage happen to the inventory, it will be difficult for the person to sell it at the desired price.

The dealer will need the proper tools to handle it. This includes the tweezers to transport the stamps from one place to another. It will really come in handy when the person passes it to the hobbyist who will pay some money so that it can be added to the collection.

Since the dealer has to get stamps from other people to be able to sell it again, this person also needs a magnifying glass so the true value of the stamp can be assessed and proper pricing for those want it can be made.

Storing the stamps till people come and buy it must be stored in an album. The dealer can get this from a variety of places and the nearest are those sold in the local bookstore and at some specialty shops. Since the contents inside are fragile, this should be stored in room temperature and away from direct sunlight.

Dealers need to practice how to use these instruments. Using an old letter with a stamp on it is a good exercise similar to the real thing. By practicing the proper way of handling it, the dealer can make a profit by selling these in good condition.

This begins by putting it the part of the envelope with the stamp in water. When the two begin to separate, the dealer should use the tongs to pick up the stamp. This should be dried using the air and no water must be present anymore when it is placed into the album.

Another place where the dealer can get stamps is at the post office. Since these are sold in rolls and some people are too lazy to go there, the person can buy it then deliver it to the collector with a little profit.

The collector and dealer of stamps can also be found at auctions and exhibits of these small goods. These people can sell a set or in bulk to those who are willing to buy it at the right price.

Another way to get customers will be to advertise in the newspaper by leaving some details and contact numbers. Since there is a demand for stamp collecting, calls will start coming in and deals can be made.

The internet is another venue where the dealer and collector can advertise to hobbyists.

By using everything at the person’s disposal to get in touch with those who want to expand the existing stamp collections, the individual will be making a good income that will be used to buy more stamps and make this cycle continue.

The dealer must have a price catalogue at all times. This will make it easy to get it from other suppliers and give the person an idea how much to sell it to the hobbyist. This can be bought at the local specialty store which gives its standard value in the market.

Stamps are easier to acquire now compared to how it was years ago. By knowing what the hobbyists want regardless if it is old or new and finding the means to get it, money can be made.

Stamp collecting will continue to flourish as long as people need to send parcels and documents to different places in the country and in the world. This will provide the dealer with something to buy and sell with and in the process make some money.

Except for the stamps that you bought at the post office, it is possible to sell stamps and covers in the same places that you purchased.

That means, sell them back to dealers, advertising or sale in the philatelic exhibitions, or sell them to other collectors at the meetings of your stamp club, have a dealer to sell them at auction, or offer them yourself in an Internet auction. Each stamp show, the dealers are there to buy and sell.

There is lot of sales opportunities by using the so-called “circuit books,” a part of the services of some of the philatelic organizations, and then the organization is moving forward with other collectors in the mail. Beneficiaries may choose what to buy send money to the organization, brochures and sends them to the next collector. Circuit books are an excellent way to sell low and middle price of stamps and covers.

Run an ad in a few publications is an inexpensive way to sell stamps. It is a good idea to try and find the best market for your stamps before its time – corresponding to what you have the best potential buyers. For example, offer your collection United Nations a dealer who specializes in Britain is likely to be a waste of time, although sometimes a dealer is willing to buy “outside” in his area if the matter is something that could be delivered quickly. Maybe the dealer may sell to another dealer at a future stamp show.

It will be advantageous for you to organize your stamps in very specific groups, and then offer for sale separately, rather than mixing together different countries and promote it as “the world.” Sometimes it is best to break it up by categories popular news – a group of birds, or trains, rather than a country collection. The reading ads on the market is a good way to get an idea of what sells, and how, so you can price your collection accordingly. The values listed in places like the Scott catalog are estimated retail price of – that you might spend to buy the stamps in very good condition. It is not the price a dealer would pay you, and it is certainly not the purchase price for stamps and less good condition.

A few words on the stamp value: value depends on the condition, on the quantity available, as well as market demand. These factors offset each other. For example, if there are only a few examples of a certain stamp, and everybody wants one. People are so eager to have they will not mind so many flaws. But if there are millions of mint copies still available, then nobody is going to pay top dollar for your stamp or cover.

There may be a lot of copies, and if they are not popular to collect, it does not matter if the stamps are perfect or imperfect, nobody wants anyway! If there are a lot of copies, and stamps are popular, then the best copies command the best prices, but less perfect copies will always be a market. All this is common sense.

There are “modes” and trends of stamps that in other markets and stamps you can not sell today can have their turn at some future time, when circumstances change. But, remember that this is supposed to be a hobby, something to be in the show for fun, not for future profits. Collect for fun and you will never be disappointed.

Getting the maximum amount of money for Stamps is the wish of every philatelist. It is usually possible to get maximum prices for your stamps if you follow certain rules. It is not difficult to follow these rules. However, remember that by following these or any other rules, you do not have a guarantee of a maximum price for your stamps. But, it will give you a guide line that if followed, may help you to get better value for your stamps or collection than if you hadn’t followed the guidelines. The values of stamps are greatly dependent on who buys your stamps or stamps collection.

Finding buyers for your stamps is not as difficult as in the past, thanks to advances in communication and technology. First, find out if the market exists for your particular stamps. You can go to a stamp shop, auctioneer or even stamp dealer to sell your stamps. They will be very happy to sell your stamps, and will charge you with their expenses. If you don’t know how much the dealer will pay you for your collectible, then visit a dealer and ask. Typically stamp dealers or auctioneers will pay you 30% to 40% of the retail price of your stamps if you want cash immediately. But, if you are willing to wait until your collectible is sold, then you may be able to get maximum of the retail price.

Another alternative is to auction your stamps. Here also the rules vary with different countries. Typically you may receive a maximum of 70 to 80% of the sale value after fees and taxes. The one important thing about auctions is that you are dealing with many strangers. Choosing the auctioneer is also very important. Select the auctioneer that has a good record for selling the stamps that you want to sell. Try to observe the auctioneer for 3 or 4 times. This will give you a feel for how much cash your stamps will be sold for in your auction.

After seeing the exorbitant fee charged by the stamp dealers, auctioneer, or reseller, you may be thinking of selling your stamps on your own. If so, then you should consider that carefully before you make up your mind. The average person has very limited resources. You may be able to get an advertisement in a local newspaper, or sell your collectibles at exhibitions by renting a stall. Again in one or two days there is a very remote chance that you can sell your stamps from your stall at the prices you are expecting. If you add all the expenses than you will realize that it is better to give 25-30% to professionals for selling your stamps.

One good practice is to set a minimum price for your collectible before you even consider selling it. Think of how valuable the stamps are to you, and vow not to part with it for less than a certain amount. Then when you start getting offers from prospective buyers, you will know exactly where to draw the line. Much of the time, a seller will get offered an amount of money that is less than ideal, but will be so excited by the prospect that he will take the first offer to come. Avoid making this mistake, as you will surely regret it.

Selling stamps is very different than buying stamps. Selling your stamp collection requires some homework and research. As selling stamps is not an exact science, there are no standard rules to follow but the one important thing that will help you to get maximum amount for your stamps: research. Do as much research as possible on your stamps, their markets, their prices, and so on. To find out present market value for your stamps, check latest standard stamp catalogs like Stanley Gibbons or Scott and watch auctions held by various stamp auction dealers. Of you are thorough and cautious when selling; you could find that your collection hobby is very profitable in the end. Having more knowledge on yours Stamps should give you more money for your collection.