Stupid Retail Pricing For Common Stamps

So here I am, thumbing through the May Linn's and here is a full color ad for some Washington/Franklins, hmmmmmm lets see, a USED 331 SUPERB, PSE 95-JUMBO for only $275.00 ? 2009 Scott catalogue value .40 cents, already then moving along here, how about a USED 334 MONSTER JUMBO, GEM at $125.00 2009 Scott catalogue value $1.50. but wait there's more USED 374 better sit down....... MONSTER JUMBO HUGE! only $75.00,Scott 2009 catalogue .25 cents, whew I don't think I can handle the exicitement of the chance to purchase such philatelic gems with a catalogue value of around 2 bucks for the bargain price of only $475.00. The gods must be crazy. Do these things actually sell? Is there really a sucker born every minute? Should you ever give a sucker an even break? I am sure this ad is full of unbelievable bargains to be had, only to increase in value.

They don't rely on a sucker being born every minute. One born every 2nd day will make them more than happy.

Part of the routine of speculative salesmanship is to constantly present the appearance of high value. Actual value is meaningless when it comes to speculation. The only thing that counts is the appearance of extraordinary value or hefty increase in value.

One person's trash is another person's treasure, and vice-versa. I don't pretend to understand it. It's their money, their stamps, they are free to collect/invest the way the want to. It is certainly not the way I collect.

But, I'm more than happy to pick up the crumbs that fall off the cookie. I've picked up a couple of stamps certified and graded at 90 or better, and paid significantly less than catalog for them. I may have even paid less than the original cost of certification/grading. A case of another person's treasure becoming my trash!

k

Here's another example of inflated pricing based on an ebay listing from someone who apparently has no idea of the value of such a stamp:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bulk-Rate-Old-C...ht_500wt_922

If you look at ebay, there are even some enterprising listings of current US postage stamps you can currently pick up at the post office for face value, that they are selling for 3x and 4x face value (plus shipping)!

Hi

I agree about the stupid prices. Since the advent of PSE grading stamps the prices for these graded stamps are ridiculous. A while back there was an auction, I believe Nutmeg, of only PSE graded items. The prices realized was totally crazy.

Jerry B

Gotta love truth in advertising!!!!

Well, Hey, the ebay listing gave the measurements of the stamp. What more info could you need? That pretty much seals the deal.

Humpy -- you should email he seller and ask if the 1" is the height or the width

LOL I just went to ask the seller a question, I was going to ask if that stamp had the "g" Grill, or the "f" Grill..and guess what... The seller does not take any questions...

It all boils down to the saying, "Education is power".

Chimo

Bujutsu

Agreed Bujutsu - as it says at the top of this forum: "Education is the key to collector success".

We only have one brick and mortar dealer around here within 300 miles. So one day I went to him to fill in a bunch of holes in my kids albums. You know mostly later stuff that I could eventually get below face but since I had a large list and just wanted to fill it quickly went to him. He actually wanted more than scott pricing and got mad when I asked for a better deal. Said he was tired of bottom feeders and no deal.
Long story short he has lost thousands in other sales from me because of not wanting to make a deal.

A dealer HAS to make a profit to stay in business, no way around it and I want them to stay in business. However, he doesn't have to make his monthly profit all on one sale to me! When I go to a stamp show with multiple dealers, I have usually, not always, been able to negotiate to at least 50% of Scott's on non classic items. Less (30%) if they aren't specialised in the are I'm looking for. The dealers who want full catalog value for their stamps I usually politely say no thanks and continue my search. If I can't find what I'm specifically looking for I don't buy something just to spend some money. I will ask the dealers if they have anything unusual in their stock. You never know what they have and sometimes its those items that make the trip worthwhile.

Make you wonder how those folks figure out the values on ebay......dart board?

What gets me is on some of these stamp auction sites or stores you can fill a slot with an inexpensive stamp you need for maybe 20¢. Good deal? Read on, $2.00 S/H and 25¢ for each additional item.