Buying and Selling Stamps
Our hobby is unusual, because unlike most hobbies, the money we spend isn't necessarily gone for ever. We hope that what we spend (or should I say "invest"!) in our stamp collections is money that we can get back again if we ever choose to cash out our collection or some part of it, and indeed, part of the fun of the hobby is being able to swap, trade, and indeed both buy and also sell stamps.
Where is the best place to buy Russian stamps? Where is the best place to sell Russian stamps? How to buy for the lowest price and how to sell for the highest price?
No, sorry, I don't have answers to all these questions - if I did, I'd be very wealthy, and relaxing on a beach in Tahiti! But here are some of my own experiences and ideas, I hope they may help you. And, if you have tips or suggestions of your own that you'd like to share, please send me a note and I'll add them as most appropriately possible.
General Background Issues |
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| How Much is My Stamp Collection Worth? | ||
| People
regularly write to me and ask something like "I have just inherited/I have
had for a long time a collection of old Russian stamps. How can I
find out how much they are worth?"
The answer to this simple seeming question is, alas, not simple at all. Here are some general guidelines, however.
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| Professional Stamp Dealers | ||
| If you're
thinking of becoming a full time professional stamp dealer, you might want
to consider the financial analysis in this section first.
And if you think that professional stamp dealers charge too much, then hopefully after reading this you'll feel differently!
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| Stamp Valuation Issues | ||
| How much is a
stamp worth? Why does one catalog show a value thirty times higher
than another catalog for the same stamp?
Well, we don't pretend to be able to fully answer these and other questions, but here are some ideas and suggestions.
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| Stamp Value Trends | ||
| A comment on
observed pricing trends on eBay between May 2000 and July 2001.
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| Are Recent Russian Commemoratives Philatelically Valid? | ||
| An
interesting article that asks a question which most of us take the answer
for granted, and which comes up with a surprising conclusion.
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| Some Negotiating Issues | ||
| When trying to
negotiate price with a dealer, it helps to understand his needs, issues,
and objectives.
Here we talk about some of the reasons why a dealer might be pleased to sell stamps at very low prices, if you phrase your requests in the right manner!
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| Stamps as an Investment | ||
| Good idea or
bad idea? Risky or safe?
The answers are unclear! |
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Specific Places to Buy and Sell |
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| Stamp Trading | ||
| Some
introductory thoughts on how to buy Russian stamps in general, and then
some specific ideas on trading - a great "win-win" way to get exactly the
stamps you want
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| Store Front Stamp Dealers | ||
| The "old
fashioned" and traditional way of buying stamps. Non specialist
dealers present both some limitations and some opportunities to Russian
collectors.
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| Stamp Shows | ||
| Sometimes it
isn't what you see at a stamp show that is your biggest opportunity to
buy/sell Russian stamps, but what you don't see!
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| Mailorder | ||
| Whether buying
bulk stamps or specific stamps, mailorder suppliers fill a valuable role.
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| Internet (non auction) | ||
| Essentially a
modern updating of traditional mailorder suppliers, but now making it
easier for less reputable traders to appear and disappear.
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| Traditional Auctions | ||
| Best when
buying/selling high value stamps.
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| Internet Auctions | ||
| Creating a
revolution in our hobby. A whole new dimension to stamp trading that
you need to be part of.
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Buying and Selling Strategies |
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| Tips for Buyers and Sellers | ||
| Some ideas to
consider when buying or selling stamps.
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This page last modified on May 15, 2010