Auction Prices?

I know this has probably been discussed over and over before but please humor me so I can get up to date responses.

In relation to book value (Scott, Brookman, etc) how much do you pay for stamps on online auctions?

For stamps that are not that rare and that are not just absolute must haves that you are willing to pay a little extra for.

I generally feel comfortable at 50-60% of book. Am I paying too much or am I a cheapskate? Just curious where other collectors are at on this subject.

Thanks!

BT

On ebay I try to pay 10% of CV. Unfortunatly, when I sell on ebay I get even less

It all depends on several factors.

1. Most important is condition, all perfs intact, centering, and overall condition.
2. If unused, does it have original gum ? Is there a Hinge ? Is there a hinge mark ? if so is it lightly hinged ? Heavily hinged ?
3. If used, what Postmark or how has it been cancelled ?
4. Rarity of piece.
5. Age of piece

Some things will drive prices up over 50% of catalog value and I've even seen Stamps achieve and surpass Catalog value, but not many. If it is an everyday Stamp then 10%-15% should be normal. If it's something I really want then I go up to 40% of catalog value but 10%-25% is probably normal.

Between 2 and 400% - depending on the item.

If its a common stamps usually around 10% of listed prices (as mentioned above) but for rarer items or items you really want, you could go above catalogue prices if there is enough demand.
Sometimes you can get lucky on ebay etc. and you may be the only bidder.
I guess it's just impostant to set yourself a limit per item as if you get into a bidding war you may later regret the top price you paid.
One last thing when searching on ebay, make sure you are searching worldwide, as many items can be on offer with good international postage rates.

I agree with stallzer there is several factors to take in account. I prefer to buy lots or collections on ebay, this way I pay minimum catalogue value. The last lot for auction I won on ebay were stamps of Sweden mint hinged and used. I paid about 6% of catalogue value. I was lucky for this auction as there were some complete expensive sets in the lot. Some expensive sets are more hard to obtain for cheap and in good condition. Sometine they are only obtainable as "buy it now" at more than 50% cat. value. In all it also depend on how long you are prepare to look and wait for a good deal.

Apparently I am paying way too much for stamps on ebay. My two main collections are US and Cayman Islands. With the Cayman stamps I usually will have to pay at least 50% of book value for even newer issues within the last ten years which I would not expect to be that rare.

I obviously need to rethink my strategy.

Thanks for the replies!

BT

Along this trend, I have some medium priced items to sell. Like a USA 115 with a $240 CV. Where would be the best place to sell it? ebay will net me $20 if I am lucky. Any auction houses would take such an item? Any other ideas?

Big Texx




On newer issues it's normal to pay more. There is different ways to collect. Some collectors just buy what they can obtain at low price. No expensive sets and no recent issues also and I mean mnh stamps.

It ALWAYS boils down to "How much is it worth to you", and the range of answers kind of tell you that, but as a rule of thumb 10-20% of catalog value for common stamps and however cheap you can get the more rare items.

I believe to properly answer this question, one must know the writer's definition of "Online Auction". When I read the post, ebay never entered my thoughts. Stamp Auction Network, is where most of the real Auctions are listed online and that is where I do most of my looking/purchasing. Not a lot of common stamps and you won't find rarities going for 10%. So, one must know the the venue to which the original poster was referring.

Based on the original poster's comment regarding online auctions I would think he was referring to Stamp Auction Network if he's paying 50% of catalog value. I naturally think of ebay as it is the largest online auction place for Stamps that I'm aware of. Unless you're looking for something very rare I'd stick to the ebay's, Delcampe & Bidstart as there are no buyer premiums to pay.

I'm like Chas - if I want something, and I know it's tough to come by, catalogue value is almost irrelevant. For my Canada MNH collection, I'm missing most of the uncommon perfin OHMS stamps. They virtually never come out of hiding - I saw some in a Vance auction once and double catalogue value wasn't enough. So, triple it is, next time I see them. Or quadruple ....

Ryan

Stamp Auction Network was my original meaning. However, I do buy a fair amount on ebay as well. It seems the higher the value the lower percentage you have to pay for it on ebay. Why is that?