Cost Of 20 Cent Stamps

I know we all want to pay as little as possible for the stamps we purchase. I've been buying a bunch of Scott minimum value U.S. MNH issues this weekend, and I got to thinking about what all goes into selling individual items on StampWants or StampOffers.

First, the stamp has to be obtained. Then the stamp has to be scanned and listed. The seller also has to handle the item at least twice, then package it and ship it. This process might take anywhere from five minutes or more per item. Even at two or there minutes each, it's a lot.

When I look at it like that, I don't mind paying nine to eleven cents per item. Obviously, on bulk lots or more expensive items this doesn't really apply as the 'cost per minute' is much higher.

This was one reason why, and a good one why my collection turned into a accumulation. Many times have I thought of dealing but I am so far happy to trade or sell at a great discount to the few.

10-4 to that Mac. I tried selling some items on StampWans and StampOffers and it just wasn't worth my time and effort. Maybe when I'm retired . . . .

Hi Guys, it takes a lot of time..sometimes I scan and list a whole two stamps a day..but its for the fun..certainly not the money..to tell the truth I do get a little satisfaction when someone bids on one of my items !

I did also Phil. Unfortunately, I think I took it personally when no one bid on a good lot that I listed at a fair price. I think I must be in love with my stamps. I've heard of dealers going broke because they found it too hard to sell their prized beauties.

Half a lifetime ago a lady stamp dealer told me a dealer should not be a collector..i have pondered that..she said a dealer is in the business of selling stamps..so everything should be marketable..of course some people are living contradictions to that theory...i catagorize myself as a collector !!

I have heard that a dealer should not collect what they sell. It is so much easier for me to sell covers because I don't collect them.

I have been told that too. The advice went something like this:

A dealer who is a collector will hold back all the high quality items for himself. And it is those exceptional items that you can make the most money on.

I can understand this quite a bit. We have one gentleman in our club that recently closed his brick and mortar stamp store but he still keeps up his membership and regularly sells at the club. One day awhile back I asked him what he liked collecting the most. He simply stated he has never mounted or collected a single stamp, all was for selling only.

We have a Dealer in our area that maintains a "Bargain Box". (Myself and another collector friend refer to it as a "Junk Box" just to irritate him.) At any rate, we each will approach him separately at a show, request his "Junk Box" which he will explain in no uncertain terms is his "Bargain Box". We always try to find an item in it that we can purchase just to to watch his reaction.If you show any enthusiasm at all in the item, he suddenly becoimes reluctant to sell it. Much fun.

I love it..i would like to send my wife to the bargain box guys table..he would soon be talking to himself ! My wife has complained that male dealers (what else is there) ignore her or talk down to her etc: but I have seen the opposite also where she kind of brings collectors (old geezers) to a dealers table when she is there ! You know..people like the G man !

I agree fully with the idea that a dealer cannot be a collector. I immediately bond with everything except my junk stuff. I'd much rather give it away because I feel like I'm sharing with friends instead of selling to strangers.

laswabbie I feel you on the point of prefering to share with friends instead of selling to strangers...Even when I really need the cash to buy other stamps...oh what a habit...