The Business Of Stamps......

note; I removed this from another thread in order to gain some insight as to my concerns aboput stamp sales as a business.

I am doing exactly the opposite of what I had intended to do when I , four years ago, at auction, purchased a few private small stamp collections,...... collecting. I bought these to make money....resigned and determined to not get sucked into the collector's vortex of compulsive, obsessive overly analytical identification of every country and stamp that I touch. I have been scanning, and researching endlessly for a long time, with every intention of achieving capital success and even the hopes of landing the "big tuna".
I am currently working on a website which will allow me to hopefully display, for sale, an educational, and instructional presentation of what I have. As much as I know that I should start another thread to discus this question that I have regarding selling, knowing the underlying policy of the forum to not be selling, etc, until after 50 posts, etc, I am curious as to what the opinions are of those of you that do sell for a living, as far as the best/better sources for this. I have been on ebay for 15 years, but never with stamps, and am registered with most of the other stamp auction sites, have yet to pull the trigger as far as a seller.....being a pathetically compulsive buyer of everything that I think I can resell for a profit. Now that I have bared my soul for the entire eworld to read, I open my mind to your ideas....

I generally buy the occasional collection only if theres something I want/need and then hope to maybe recoup my expenses in keeping the few and selling the remainder. From what I've gathered and its only been a short time frame this can be achieved most of the time. Granted I'm not spending $1000 trying to keep $800 worth and selling the rest for the $1000. Problem is time invested and there are 2 ways to look at that. 1. You'd just be watching TV so hence your time isn't relevant or 2. Your time is worth X in dollars. By the time you do scans pics somewhat catalog or organize it is hard to pay yourself $5 an hour. The only way I have seen for true profit is to be more into high dollar classicsand you better have the right resources and funds to play with the whales. For the most part if you can add to your collection and maybe break even all things considered your doing OK even monetarily as your personal collection value increases. There in lies another problem when and if you decide to sell of your personal collection -- sell all at once and you'll loose yet break it all up and your back to what is time worth to do so. Tough game to be in both internet or a store . I live in an area with population of maybe 500,000 if you include all surrounding areas and there is not 1 stamp dealer so that speaks volumes. Those same deals that you are getting are the same that many others get regularly . If your having fun keep going but if your looking to pay bills theres better options.

There is such a massive learning curve when it comes to being a stamp dealer that I am convinced it is not something you can ever do very successfully without spending considerable time and money as a collector/philatelist.

I enjoy selling some of my duplicates or stamps that are not on my "collect" list, but truthfully, every one that leaves the house is like sending my most prized possession away. The only thing that saves me is the fact that I am of the opinion that my stamps are going to a home where they will be cared for and enjoyed. - jeff

Totally agree with smauggie-- Really need to know things like the back of your hand and that only comes with time. And then $$$$$$$$$$$$. Selling/ trading here and there is fun and all part of the hobby .

Sell for a living ? my dear man I would have to work 72 hours a day 365 days a year to pay my monthly cable tv bill or my monthly gym dues !!

I sold off part of my collection once for a very good cause. I sold whole albums and stock books on e-bay at a fraction of their worth. I would not want to be a dealer in todays market unless I had big funds backing me to the point of being able to buy up the big collection and piece them out. Also hire someone to do the drudge work.

Philb wrote:




You surprise me !
Got a pic?

Mr.Lovell wrote:




I can send you them back if you are upset, honestly, I don't mind.

Londonbus1....Now I feel bad.

I have already spent the money, scanned the stamps,
combined the like stamps, edited the majority, filled numerous
vario sheets, etc.....The time card is bursting, the receipt box is
overflowed...time to follow thru......

If you want to trade for income, stop collecting.

Create a virtual collection where you insert an image of the stamps that have passed through your hands.

The temptation for a collector is to keep the cream that makes all the money for a trader.

i have heard it from the dealers..if you deal..don't collect !! Sounds harsh..but think about it !! I sell my dupes at 1/3 catalog..and buy things I need for my collections..would be great at the end of the year to see...items purchased $ 700 items sold $699 !

Londonbus what do you want a pic of me in my shorts and undershirt?..i can not bring a cel phone into the locker room for turkish bath pictures !!

yes, I have a difficult time considering the opportunities presented to me....and would have to be extremely focused in what I am trying to do....