Stamp Evaluation Check List

This topic was started on another thread but wandered off it's topic. I feel strongly enough about this and am seeking your input and thoughts.

About evaluating


First I must say I am not an expert this is why this statement go's on every one of my listing. In addition to this I have come up with a check list that will be shown in the listing and will go with every sold Item. As some of may know, I am a huge, active, advocate for making ebay a safer place to due business.


eBay Buyers

"As some of you may or may not know, there are some very unethical sellers here. I personally know, as I have been bitten more than once. Like most of you I am only a hobby stamp collector and ebay seller. Additionally, I make no claims or wish to present myself as an expert at Identifying or grading stamps. This is why I highly encourage you to take the time and have the stamp that you are intending to bid on, or after you buy it, looked at by a professional expert. I highly recommend William Weiss, not only is he quick, and at his ridiculous low prices, in my mind you would be foolish not to do this. Here is a link to his ebay selling page;"


stamps.

I would greatly appreciate having your comments about this. Good/bad suggestions etc.
Ron

I like it the statement. Could be finessed a bit to smooth it out and make it more readable but it is OK as it stands.

What is the work sheet pic down below the statement? I can't read all of it, it is too small, can you scan it at a lower resolution like 100 ppi and thus get a bigger picture? Oh, is this Weiss's check list that you get when you use his service?

As the Stamp Community motto says 'Education is the key to collector success!'. The more you know the better you feel about your purchase, I would think.

DAAAAAAAAAAA!
I am so stuck on scanning at 600 dpi or higher I never thought of dropping down to 100 to have a larger image.

Check back in a few for a readable one.

I hope this helps, for some reason my scanner sstarted dropping parts of the scan when I went down to 100 dpi. This is at 200 and now it looks fuzzy.

I'm not sure about the rest, but for me it is still just a little small to see legibly . Perhaps 1000 dpi and crop out as much of the blank white area as possible ? BTW, I think the checklist for items like these is a very good idea and I have seen other top sellers use a similar list, and I stand up and applaud your effort to make ebay a better place for all. This hobby needs more people that feel the way you do about selling.

yeah I can not read the form either...

but I really do like that you are looking out for the buyer.. as a person who is new to collecting it kind of helps me to know the seller is some one who actually cares and is also in the hobby. I really like that you point to a specific person to evaluate stamps because this opens some doors for that person too again when one cares for other members of the over all community (the hobbyist) it shows in your transactions.. very nice job...

I'm a bit ambivalent about certificates. If you are spending the sort of money you will to require certificates, you should have sufficient skill and knowledge to determine it for yourself.

It is just one expert's opinion against another to me.

A big problem with ebay is that honest sellers will says, "if you're not happy, I'll give you your money back". Many shonks selling regums and reperfs knowingly offer the same to avoid scrutiny.

In the end your knowledge and expertise is your protection.

Mind you, if you want to collect 19th century mint never hinged and think ebay is the place to source it, be prepared to be disappointed when your discover how expert the Eurpoean regummers are.

I'll give you an example or two. The Australian 1918 2d Orange KGV Head with inverted watermark should be collected only with a Burracoppin WA postmark. Anyone attempting to sell you one with any other postmark is mistaken or deceptive. I've seen apparently lovely sets of the 1902 Australian Postage Dues fine used with Melbourne postmarks. They were cheap and from a known dealer at the time. The problem is these stamps were never issued to Victoria so cannot have a valid Melbourne postmark.

You could get 10 certificates for $100 ea or send $1,000 on your own library and develop the knowledge for yourself.

Deferring to the knowledge of others in many cases is false economy. I have a used copy of the Australian postage due 1937 6d SG D110 with a certificate stating the stamp is genuine. What a waste of money, determining that the stamp is genuine is not difficult.

There are exceptions and I would never purchase a mint set of the Australian Kingsford Smith 1931 "OS" overprints without a certificate. They are easily faked and only fools would purchase these on ebay unless it was a recognised trader.

I have tried again and this looks somewhat better




Comment please
Ron

It's OK Ron,
but splitting is a fair bit of work.

You should really be able to get a clear A4 sized
sheet within 95Kb given the right circumstances,
but I am not able to advise how.

I scan an A4 sheet and save as a *jpg
It usually runs out at about 230Kb
and then I use a image resizer. (ACDSee)

I would never buy a stamp on ebay that needed a certificate.

If I'm looking for serious-level stamps, I will buy from a reputable auction house.

Just my two-bob's worth

I like the idea that you can sell stamps without being an expert, but by giving an honest and thorough description, which is what you are doing.
On ebay.com vehicles listings there is an automatic checklist that comes for sellers to complete. It covers things you want to know about a vehicle, such as mileage, number of previous owners, whether automatic/manual. OK, you can (and should) list all these details in the body of your listing, but as a quick-glance reference, it works well. What you have done is the equivalent for stamps. The information is clear and that can only be a good thing for buyer and seller alike.
My only suggestion might be that it is done in a digital format rather than handwritten and scanned, which might look better and be easier to read on your listings page.

Thank you everyone for all your input. I am trying to figure out how to print this work sheet in a jegp format. For some stupid reason my printer is refusing to print the color? So until I can figure this out I will be sending a digitally formatted work sheet without the scans printed on it. Not what I would like, but I need to start.
Some of you made comments about not wanting to buy up-scale (high dollar)items on ebay. I partly agree with you, The only way that I been successful is by trying to be up-front with my customers. Yes, there has been the occasional problem, but I have always addressed them promptly and politely. Now most of my loyal customers know and trust me to the correct thing. What I am trying to say is, it is OK to buy on ebay, but before you invest any large sum's take the time to get to know the seller.
I have come up with a short check list that I advise all new ebay buyers. While this nothing new I just believe it can not be said too many times.
Here are some things to look for in an on line seller:
All listing will have clear, crisp, unaltered scans.
If back of stamp is not shown in listing they will provide it at your request.
The seller will amend the standard return policy to allow certification. (usually 30 days)
Seller will promptly and courteously reply to any and all questions you my have about a listing.
If a seller fails in any one of these simple areas, DO NOT BUY from that seller.
All the best
Ron

Ron, please post a link to your auctions when they are listed.

Thanks,

I will be happy to do this. No problem
Ron

Ron,

Great idea and I appreciate your efforts. I couldn't see in the worksheet but do you use a numbering system for a final "Grade"?

I hope not because that would set you up as an expert and then that would put a target on your back. I would perfer to see the worksheet as a "Stamp Defect Descriptor" rather than a "Stamp Grader" without a final "Grade".

The #2 I got from you is a great stamp, for me. Someone else may not be so enthused and perhaps cause some negative comments, comparing your grade to the PF or others.

No!
Putting a number on any intrinsic item in my mind is something that could never be accomplished. To prove my point, if you look at all the "stamp grading" systems you will see that there is at least one category that reads something like "over all appeal". Basically these are loop holes where the grader can fudge the score based on there likes or dislikes. Also, as you pointed out it would mean that I am trying to put out that I am an expert which I am not nor do I ever wish to be considered one. During my initial "brain fart stage" I did call this work sheet a grading from. I quickly changed this upon realizing the mistake.
By the way I am glad you like the duce. It is a nice stamp
Always
Ron