Protocol Question

Greetings,
I seem to be in a real inquisitive mood lately. I have another question for the group.

I recently bought a set of US 1870-71 banknotes. They arrived today. While examining them, I noticed a very well done repair of a small tear on the 155, the 90 cent Perry. (Of course it had to be that stamp! )

The description was listed as: "bit of tape on back, but no repair seen." The repair really is well done and probably no more than a millimeter in length. Had the seller not said anything, I probably wouldn't have examined it so closely. Curiosity got me wondering why there would be tape on a stamp and no repair.

Overall, it is still a nice stamp and I'm very satisfied with the rest of the set.

I paid on the low end of what I expected to pay and I am strongly inclined not to ask for a return or a replacement. Heck, I hope I look half as good as that stamp when I'm 139 years old!

So here's my question: "Should I just mention it to the seller in a side email or let sleeping dogs lie?"

What would SCF'ers do?

Thanks,
Dan

I would mention it. It is possible he/she did not see it and you may get an apology.....if nothing else. Would make you feel OK about the deal at least.
If the guy/gal was trying it on, he/she may think twice next time.

Londonbus1.....always mentions defects when selling

And therein lies my dilemma. I am satisfied with the purchase. There are almost always some issues with a stamp from the 19th century. I expect that. In fact, I'm suspicious if there aren't.

The seller *did* bring it to my attention by mentioning the tape. The only way I found it was to scan the stamp at 300 dpi and magnify the heck out of the area until the scan was on the verge of pixilation. The back is clean and I didn't notice any problems either on my first inspection.

I've uploaded the scan I did. The tear only becomes noticable at this level of magnification.



That level of examination for each stamp is an awful lot to ask from any seller. I'm sure there was no intent to misrepresent the stamp.

I was just wondering if I should mention it as one collector might do to another or just let it ride.

Nah, don't bother. It's almost like saying "You misled me in your ad, but it's okay, I'm still happy". This would them put them on the defensive and your mitigating the situation would make little impression.

The most important thing is that you paid on the low end and you're happy. The rest just doesn't matter.

An afterthought:
I guess the question I am asking is the relationship between a seller and a buyer versus between collectors.

Many of you have sold a lot more stamps than I have. Would you take a comment about a fault differently if it came from a buyer rather than a fellow collector?

I'm sure there was no intent to misrepresent the sale and I don't want to kick up a lot of dust with the buyer. The seller noticed an issue and brought it to my attention. We just came to different conclusions. LOL

Well, the opinions are 1-1. Is anyone going to break the tie?

This is what happens when I look at my stamps on a rainy Saturday! LOL

Having read the more detailed info from Danstamp and others, I would still mention it.

But maybe that's just me.

In the end, do what you are happy and comfortable with.

If it was purposely misleading I would say something but by the way you have described the situation I would let it ride,that's my view on the subject.


regards Harry

Sounds like the seller made an honest disclosure. If you are happy with the stamp, that should be the end of it.

Butch

I'm with londonbus. I believe as a seller, I would like it pointed out albeit by a satisfied customer.

If you are satisfied to the point that you would purchase again from this seller then assume that the seller intended no misrepresentation.

If you do not trust the seller enough to purchase from them again, despite being satisfied with this purchase, by all means mention it to them.

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses.

The mixed responses sort of confirm my initial hunch that the seller would take my comment as an accusation of his misrepresentation of an item as a seller or as a poor collector.

I don't want to give the seller that impression. I collect old US stamps and frequently come across faults and some very novel attempts at repair. I think they are interesting and fun to share with other collectors. My comments to the seller would have been along those lines: "Ya know that tape you mentioned? Guess what, it's a very well done repair. Neat, eh?"

After reading your responses, I'm pretty sure the seller wouldn't take the comments in the spirit they were given. I'm going to keep my mouth shut.

I like stamps with "character." LOL For example, I bought this Scott 122 with my eyes wide open:



What at first glance looks like a smudged cancel on Lincoln's head is actually a repair. Most of the back of his head is missing! LOL Someone took the time to carefully ink in a 2-3 millimeter hole.

I know that greatly reduces the market value of the stamp. The seller knew it as did I. There was no misrepresentation. The stamp has character and a unique history that I appreciate.

Not everyone enjoys ratty old stamps. I need to keep that in mind!

Thanks all!
Dan

I totally agree with your attitude towards old stamps and your final decision regarding this matter. I like stamps for what they are; a piece of history.

Good on ya

Dianne