Buying A Collection

I had a man call me after answering an advertisement for trying to form a stamp club in our area and he ask me if I would be interested in buying a collection. He said he had no idea what they were worth but he started buying U.S. Sheets and plate blocks and stamps a few years ago for his Grand kids but they don't have any interest in collecting stamps. So he might as well sell them after hearing my ad for forming a local stamp club. I need some coaching on how to price them. Do I take my Scott's catalog and figure out the value then make an offer. It sounds like he has a very extensive collection of stamps. He mentioned possibly trading for a gun. So it sounds like he might be thinking of a value around $125-$150. Help!! I've never bought like this before. I also got calls from two other people. I'll be checking them out after New Years. Because I haven't collected from 1962 until last August I am missing a lot of newer stamps. I have no Sheets or p[late blocks and he named off several that he has. Do I offer Face Value for the stamps or total the values up and then make an offer? Again Help!

I have a couple ads posted and my club will send people to me as I purchase many collections. First I explain to all sellers that I am buying for my personal pleasure and collection, not as a dealer. Here are some of what I have run across. Many people will bring in the old photo album and think they have the crown jewels. You will find sometimes it is easy to explain they are not with much value and they will be disappointed but understand. Others will think you are trying to take them to the cleaners. These second type I always have at least two cards of other dealers that buy and explain no ill will received and they can check with them. Remember to always take time with all people even if they do not have anything. You might just spark a interest in a new collector.

Now for your question for value. Most stamps after 1930 should be purchased below face with a few exceptions. By the sounds of it he has generally a postage lot. To explain this to people I will show them a 6 inch stack of 3 cent issues and tell them they are just postage. You would be doing him a favor buy buying them at face.
When you run across a collection with older or better items the Scott catalog is just a guide. There is a valuing supplement for the older issues with grades and this comes in very handy. Also start studying auctions and you will quickly get a feel for real value of a stamp.

Finally, never take advantage of someones trust in you to value their collection. We are here to help better the hobby.

1775mac Thanks for your imput. I would never cheat him however I would want a good buy also. I figured at least face value on the Mints as it sounds like most of his stamps are. They sounded like 1999 and newer. Like I said I didn't collect for 42 years so I need them all. I stopped collecting in 1962 and didn't resume collecting until last August. As he described some of what he has. I got real excited and still am. Of course I don't want to show it or be too aggressive either. I will tell him I am not a dealer and am only buying to ad to my collection. I have hi lighted all the stamps I have in both Mint and used in the catalog so he will be able to see what I have and what I need or want. That is if you think I should take my catalog along with me as well as a calculator.I hope others will join in and give me a lot of imput. I am as green as green can get.

definatly be as coutious as possible in all cases good or bad. Then reality comes into play - US seems to hold 100% of face value for most lots on ebay of $50-$100 worth, after that you need to start deducting in percentages of 5-10% If $500 face value go 90% if $1000 go %80-85% more than that 75% is fair on a bulk lot. Catalog is pointless for newer so don't consider the blocks, booklets and full sheets as a premium since most can still easily be obtained. I agree you don't want to cheat the guy but as 1775mac stated if you follow in house auctions the higher the volume the lower the percentage. Explain unfortunatly its a supply and demand issue and the supply far out weighs the demand in this case.

sounds like modern mint. so, basically it's a percentage of face value, nothing more.
Offer 75% of face, because you will never really get more for it. If not than he can use it as postage.

yeah, don't use scott catalog for pricing. Modern mint goes for less then face value.

Just check ebay under postage and see what moder mint (i.e. Post 1940ish) goes for!

I frequent some dealers that sell post-ww2 stamps for LESS than face for use as postage.
They sell for 75-80% of face, so I can imagine what they pay for them!
I asked one dealer why he doesn't sell for face if the buyers are just using them as postage...
He said if he did that, no one would buy them because it is not worth the effort fixing several stamps
to an envelope unless they are at a discount. If he sold at face, people would rather just buy from the
PO and use one stamp.