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Post by sunshinerai on May 1, 2023 15:23:38 GMT
I buy all my stamps from eBay. I collect used mostly and prefer decent examples - no tears, thins, creases and if there’s gum, even better!
Sellers on eBay usually post photos of the front of their wares but few post the backsides.
Today I asked a seller if he could send me a photo of the backsides of the stamps I wanted to bid on. He’s response
“These are mainly used so why does the back matter? (Just curious, I only collect MH/MNH but I’ve never displayed them face down)”
I explained “ Weirdly enough, I also don’t display them face down. However, I want to see the full condition of these items which seeing the back helps to determine. For example, tears or thinning might be more obvious, the level of hinging can be seen as can the original gum or potentially, still attached paper. I don’t think asking to see the full condition of an item your buying is unusual.”
His further response “ I’m not complaining, occasionally people ask when the stamps are MH but I’ve never been asked about used examples. Just curious as I’ve never bothered about the backs in my 50+ years of collecting. The only thing for me that is a definite no is foxing. I won’t have infected stamps in my albums”.
Am I the crazy one here?! Curious to others opinions.
Sellers usually just send me the scans no problems and we all move of with our day.
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vikingeck
Member 
Posts: 3,548
What I collect: Samoa, Tobacco theme, Mail in Wartime, anything odd and unusual!
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Post by vikingeck on May 1, 2023 15:32:56 GMT
When I list I usually only display the front ……however I will do a scan of the back if there is an issue, eg a thin or foxed spot , usually if it is ok on the reverse I don’t bother to do a picture .
However I will always provide one if asked, no question.
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hdm1950
Member
Posts: 1,886 
What I collect: I collect world wide up to 1965 with several specialty albums added due to volume of material I have acquired. At this point I am focused on Canada and British America. I am always on the lookout for stamps and covers with postmarks from communities in Queens County, Nova Scotia. I do list various goods including stamps occasionally on eBay as hdm50
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Post by hdm1950 on May 1, 2023 16:22:07 GMT
I like seeing the backs of mint hinged and used. On used with cancels often the perfs may be obscured by the postmark so looking at the back is the best way to see if there are pulled perfs. For that reason I like to see the back on a black background. Pulled perfs really jump out with white on black.
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Post by carabop on May 1, 2023 16:42:11 GMT
Being a MNH collector I always want to see the back of the stamp. I don’t wanted disturbed gum, hinged, thins or any of the like in my album no matter what the front looks like. I would pass on that seller.
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eggdog
Member
I want a new Harley!
Posts: 464
What I collect: It's complicated....
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Post by eggdog on May 1, 2023 17:23:54 GMT
sunshinerai , did he actually ever supply a scan of the back? This conversation comes across as pretty much civil the way you transcribed it; if the guy is stuck in his ways or if he's just chatty or curious, but eventually he sent you what you requested, I'd be OK with him. Otherwise, there's plenty of other dealers around. My verdict: you're not crazy, or even if you are it didn't show up in this exchange  .
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jpotx113
Member
Posts: 460
What I collect: USA, Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Machins, misc. WW
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Post by jpotx113 on May 1, 2023 19:12:12 GMT
I collect stamps, not just the front of stamps. If A used stamp has a thin or writing in pen/ink I do not want them in my collection.
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JeffS
Member
Posts: 2,838
What I collect: Oranges Philately, US Slogan Cancels, Cape of Good Hope Triangulars, and Texas poster stamps and cinderellas
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Post by JeffS on May 1, 2023 22:41:04 GMT
A lot depends on the price range and quantity. If less than $10 or so a polite inquiry about condition would be reasonable. If over $10 or so a scan request might be in order. To ask for scans for a volume of inexpensive stamps would be asking a lot where asking a question of overall condition and the seller’s return policy regarding stamps with unmentioned faults would provide a satisfactory answer. Keep in mind eBay offers better than satisfactory protection regarding damaged goods.
Just my experience and opinion.
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Post by sunshinerai on May 2, 2023 6:47:25 GMT
sunshinerai , did he actually ever supply a scan of the back? This conversation comes across as pretty much civil the way you transcribed it; if the guy is stuck in his ways or if he's just chatty or curious, but eventually he sent you what you requested, I'd be OK with him. Otherwise, there's plenty of other dealers around. My verdict: you're not crazy, or even if you are it didn't show up in this exchange . I have copied and pasted the convo directly so very civil. He sent through the scans in the end so I’m happy |
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Post by sunshinerai on May 2, 2023 6:50:29 GMT
A lot depends on the price range and quantity. If less than $10 or so a polite inquiry about condition would be reasonable. Just my experience and opinion. These are 23, rather difficult to get hold of, stamps for £8. He sent through the scans in the end |
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vikingeck
Member
Posts: 3,548
What I collect: Samoa, Tobacco theme, Mail in Wartime, anything odd and unusual!
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Post by vikingeck on May 2, 2023 6:58:48 GMT
23 stamps at £8 means about 35pence each on average …less than 50c each.
. I can see why on listing, I would not have initially bothered scanning the back ..a lot of extra work but I would certainly do it on request to facilitate a sale.
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