What Is You Favorite Way To Collect

What is your favorite way to collect stamps?



***Edited by Forum Dad to move to Main Stamp Collecting Forum***

My favorite way is buying stamps is from the sales circuits sent out to members of the American Philatelic Society. These boxes each contain about ten books filled with stamps for sale by other members. There are many collecting categories to choose from. The prices are usually reasonable, and I have several days to look over the stamps in the comfort of own home, with my albums and catalogs nearby to refer to. There is absolutely no pressure to buy anything. If I do decide to buy something, it helps out both the APS and a fellow member. When I'm done with a circuit box, I just mail it to the next member on the distribution list, and send a check for the stamps I kept to the APS headquarters.

The only drawback with the sales circuits is that usually there is not a lot of "better" material in them. To get some really nice stamps I bid in the online auctions. I especially like the Nutmeg and Cherrystone auctions.

Lately I have started going to stamps shows. These are fun, but the nice material is usually at a pretty high mark up over what I can get at auction. However I am getting to know the dealers and making some friends, and I look forward to talking stamps with them.

I buy a fair bit through ebay, but my favorite way to buy is to attend shows and exhibits because I get access to many different dealers in one stop.

I also like to buy from the stamp shop in Shreveport (about 80 miles away) but he's only open three days a week and its hard to get there when he's open.

I live in the wide open spaces of the southwest ,,stamp shows are non existent at least within a couple of hundred miles ,,so I spend some time on ebay and other auction sites .

Metalman

I get most of my stamps off letters at work.
Also, I have acquired a few collections from other people.

Steve

When I was a child, I was sick a lot. My grandfather had a small stamp collection which he gave to me with trust. He also ordered for me 2 albums and a kit of 1000 stamps to keep me occupied. Since then I would always purchase 2 books of stamps at the post office and tuck one away. Family members would divide their stamp sheets and give me a portion. I also purchased one set of stamps via mail order (the Popeye African Collection). Just recently, I won a few ebay auctions from estate sales and I have started writing to pen pals around the world. I am almost afraid to go to a stamp show. Fear of being overwhelmed. Someday I plan to attend.

Stamp shows, ebay and other large venues can be overwhelming. If you get a chance to go to a show, you really should. You can look at the exhibits if nothing else. If you want to buy, decide how much you can spend and stick to it. If you're worried about being overwhelmed, prepare a want list and stick to it as well.

You can learn a lot just from hanging out for a few hours!

I have been lucky to have freind's sister donate a good amount of stamps to my cause. I also like to shop on ebay and a couple of stamp shops on line here in Canada. There is nowhere here in Fredericton to buy supplies exept Canada Post. The lots I have bought off ebay have been great. And I'm also fond of an o-line store called Arpin Philately out of Quebec

Cheers
Dianne

I normally just by them from the post office now that I have most of them from the US. But I originally bought them from private collectors or hounded frriends that had duplicates and worked out some deals.