bobby1948
Departed
Rest in Peace
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Sir Edmund Burke
Posts: 690 
What I collect: WW to 1945; US mnh 1922-1990; US used and unused to 1922
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Post by bobby1948 on Mar 10, 2018 22:37:17 GMT
In another thread, Frog ( firstfrog2013 ) said: "I think I'm more annoyed by the people that find collections in storage and think they're worth a hundred times what they really are.Then clutter up ebay listings with these priceless gems with titles like very rare.I often think about sending emails to inform them to research what they sell but why bother?
I find people much less knowledgeable than in the past and just money hunting.Sign of the times a declining hobby." This irritates me also, Frog. And it reminded me of a true story about a neophyte collector, who, just beginning his journey down Philatelic Lane, made a monumental discovery. In a box of old stamps his mother had sequestered in the attic, he found a small green stamp from the United States inscribed “George Washington, 1789-1797." A stamp which was over 150 years old! He could not believe his good fortune and immediately began spreading the news that he was in possession of a stamp which was sure to be a great rarity, worth countless dollars! His friends were green with envy as he smugly showed it around, and he was on cloud nine; until one of his neighbors popped his balloon and informed him it was the commonest of stamps, and worth less than the 1 penny denominated on the stamp. And as his world collapsed around him, and his friends laughed it up, he slunk off to sulk in the privacy of his room. If he had just investigated further before reaching for the fortune he saw before him....but then, I was only 9 years old!  |
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Post by dgdecker on Mar 11, 2018 0:20:10 GMT
Mr. Frog and Booby,
I so agree with you on this. I have been seeing more and more listings of “ rare” items listed on various online sites. I have been seeing some examples as well that do not look legitimate. Some of these sellers are established and others less so. They are from either Europe and North America. Most of the items in question have been Canadian Colonials or early Canada.
I have taken it upon my self to offer a bit of education to these sellers.
i contact them and pose the question “ What makes this a rare item?” What criteria do you use to give a “ rare” designation? What catalog do you use? For the Canadian colonial stamps, I send a photo of the relevant page fron Unitrade 2018 catalog that lists how many were issued. Your pricing is based on what catalog value? For possible forgeries or fakes i enclose links to sites that list some of the known fakes and forgeries and likes to sites that show legitimate stamps. Also I suggest a few other online sites to show them how many other examples of the “ rare” item the have listed for sale.
I have had replies to 3/4 of my inquiries. Most have been receptive and thankful for the information. A few of them even proceeded to make changes to the sale listing. Others, have been less than gracious and borderline abusive in the response. In those cases, i have contacted the site administrator to advise of my listing concerns.
i am doing this because I feel it is important that potential buyers are getting accurate information in order to ensure they pay a fair price and are getting what they expect. We all want to have a postive buying experience online. I am not shy in expressing my unhappiness when I get something of dubious nature. That is what a “ feedback” feature is for. Do not be afraid to use it. Just stick to the facts and be polite and do not embellish.
so far I have had one seller who took exception and made a “ complaint” against me to site administrators. It was resolved in my favour . The seller has blocked my from making purchases from him. As there are so many competitors out there, it’s his loss. I was willing to do further business with him.
David
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Beryllium Guy
Moderator 
Posts: 5,654
What I collect: Worldwide Stamps 1840-1930
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Post by Beryllium Guy on Mar 11, 2018 2:01:30 GMT
firstfrog2013, bobby1948, and dgdecker, thanks to all of you for your posts. For what it's worth, I agree with you, too. Some time ago, Steve ( tomiseksj) made a post about stamp lot auctions on the Goodwill Industries website. I periodically check that out, and yesterday was one of those days. I was disappointed to see that someone who apparently knows very little about stamps, listed several lots of 15-20 common stamps in each lot, and priced them at a starting bid of $7.99 per lot. I wouldn't have offered $7.99 for all of the lots put together! It is disappointing when sellers do not take the time to do a little research or seek advice from a knowledgeable source before making their listings.
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Post by mdroth on Mar 12, 2018 16:30:50 GMT
Bobby - you had me all worked up. I was fully prepared for a story of someone who had actually found a treasure in their attic. False advertising thread titles!!
Cool story...
But definitely cost me a few brain cells/grey hairs?!
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bobby1948
Departed
Rest in Peace
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Sir Edmund Burke
Posts: 690
What I collect: WW to 1945; US mnh 1922-1990; US used and unused to 1922
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Post by bobby1948 on Mar 13, 2018 18:20:51 GMT
Michael, Always good to hear from you! Sorry I misled you (not really, I enjoy "greying" your hair).  |
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Post by jamesw on Mar 26, 2018 2:50:16 GMT
Ok, I've got a story too. My darling wife and I like to go to estate auctions, though as we get ready to downsize, she's less inclined to do so these days.
A couple of years ago I was meeting her and one of daughters at an outdoor auction in a little town near us. I had something else to do and was meeting them there after the auction had started. When I arrived she proudly presented me with a small cardboard box that she had won for me. Inside were a couple of 1950s QEII definitives and an unused MNH pair of 3¢ Thomas Jefferson prexxies.
Thank you, I said of course. How much did you pay?
$15 was her answer.
As my heart leapt into my throat, and a little squeak passed my lips, I calmly thanked her. Did I do ok, she asked? Yes, of course, but next time, wait 'til I get here.
The QEIIs were used for postage, but the two Jeffersons now hold a place of honour in my American collect. Pound for pound, probably the most valuable stamps in there.
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