Stamps to sell.
By MsTickle
@MsTickle (25180)
Australia
June 30, 2007 9:50pm CST
I used to collect stamps. Now the stamps are collecting dust and I would like to off load them. I have first day covers, both cancelled and mint editions and blocks in mint and various used stamps, mostly Australian, some are rare.
Does anyone know how I can sell these? I've looked on Ebay from time to time and never found any so it's a little difficult to know my first move.
6 people like this
11 responses
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
1 Jul 07
Hehe--I used to collect stamps as a kid...had what I thought a lot of vintage stamps...so thought I'd be able to make a fortune...nope..first day covers are different..did make a few bucks with those---They must have places where you are to sell the first day covers though--no?
2 people like this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
2 Jul 07
Try rewording your question. There is someone on MyLot that collects stamps. He is REALLY into it big time and uses all the proper terminology (kind of freaky)!
Which reminds me of a cute story - I was at the vet's the other day with my cat getting him an allergy shot. I am no spring chicken at nearing 60, so when I say that an elderly woman came in and sat next to me, you know that she was in her late 70's - somewhere in her 80's. My cat Charlie is a pretty big guy, weighing in at about 15 pounds. She told me that she had a daughter who has a cat that weighs 22 pounds and has 6 toes on both front paws. She says she thinks cats like that are called pteredactyls! This has nothing to do with your stamps, but I thought it was a cute story and I think stamp-collecting has a dinosaur of a name like that!
Anyway, try to post again, this time using the correct name for stamp collecting. There was another man who answered his posts and was as eager as he. I don't know if I added him to my friends list or not because I think this was about the only interest he had. Good luck Ms Tickled Pink ~Donna
1 person likes this
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
3 Jul 07
Great idea Donna. There were a few posts under this lot, one of which was from a collector. He's American though so it's not of specific use to me but he gave me some great ideas of who to go for and what to look for. Thanks for the ideas and the story. It's good to see you too...have missed seeing you lately...:)
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
16 Oct 07
I am an ex-Australian stamp collector... and I know all about it.
There are two ways to sell your collection. The easy way and the hard way.
First you need to put out of your mind any notion of making a profit or even recovering your money. You have to put a price on the fun you had while you were collecting... and deduct that price from the value of your stamps.
The easy way is to call Glen Stephens in Sydney. He will buy your whole collection without blinking an eye. That is his job. But he will rip you off and give you next to nothing for it.
The thing which has the most value in Australia are Australian mint stamps. You should be able to get 80 per cent of their face value.
If you collected the Australian Dependencies... besides AAT... don't expect much more than 25 per cent of their face value. Ouch! That hurt! Same thing for any stamps from other countries than Australia.
However... if you are prepared to put the work in... you might be able to recover the face value on eBay. But you have to scan everything and break it down... almost selling one set at a time.
You won't get paid for your time... and watch out for eBay's fees. But I sold more that $2000 worth of stamps on eBay and made a small profit. If you have some thematic... it is popular. Thematic on first day cover is even more popular.
The Americans will buy anything with kangaroos et koalas... or anything truly Australian. Another way to get ride of your stamps is to use them for postage to send off those you sold on eBay.
1 person likes this
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
17 Oct 07
AAT is Australian Antartic Territory.
Thematic or thematique comes from the word "theme". It is a subject where people collect only stamps with that particular subject. In general they prefer the first day covers than the stamps... but will also buy the stamps.
The most popular thematiques are "trains" and "birds".
Yes... eBay is a world wide site. When an American does a search for some australian stamps... your listing will come up.
It works on the same principle than myLot or a search engine. It is a matter for you to make sure you have the keywords in your title. For instance if you were selling some birds on stamps... your title would read "Australian birds on stamps MUH 1991".
It is important to state the year and if they are new or used. MUH = Mint unhinged. Which mean perfect condition on both side. People used to attach an hinge on the glue side of the stamp to stick in their album. Real collector often attach more importance to the glue than to the picture. Also be careful with the brown rust spot. If you have rust spot on your stamps... they are only good for postage.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
17 Oct 07
Thanks for this..just a couple of queries...what is AAT? Is that like the South Pole stamps etc?
What do you mean by "thematic"? I know it's an adjective of theme but that doesn't make sense...do you actually mean 'theme"?
My first day covers are from Singapore where I lived for 2 years. I have every first day cover from the time I was there in mint condition.
When I shop on EBay I use the Aussie site. Would Americans use our site looking for Australiana do you think/know?
@serndipty2 (56)
• United States
1 Jul 07
How about "Craig's List" is there one in your area, we sell a lot of things there,I believe it is better than E-bay ...
2 people like this
@youdontsay (3497)
• United States
1 Jul 07
You could always look in the phonebook for a dealer or check the newspaper for announcements about stamp collecting clubs. They would be the most immediate sources of either information, evaluation, or buyers.
2 people like this
@stvasile (7306)
• Romania
25 Sep 07
If it weren't for the distance I would have bought some...
But the postal service in my country is so poor that it would be a pity for the stamps to get lost in the mail.
I tried a stamp exchange with someone from the USA, but the stamps never got there...
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
1 Jul 07
Perhaps there are other people looking on eBay as well and you could be the first to have some for sale.
1 person likes this
@serndipty2 (56)
• United States
1 Jul 07
How about "Craig's List" is there one in your area, we sell a lot of things there,I believe it is better than E-bay ...
