Selling On An Approval Basis

I have apparently made some sales on delcampe. My sales conditions were that I pay postage and that I would wait until they got their stamps before requesting payment. I think this is good business policy when starting off trying to build long term--and long distance--financial relationships. The value of the stamps is minimal so for me it is well worth the risk. My question is, since this is not only my first stamp sale but also my first mail/internet transaction--what are my chances of getting paid? I checked the delcampe profile of the buyer and they are one hundred percent and all that so I figure hey...see what happens. Any thoughts?

It's very unusual for someone to sell approvals in an open online auction.

Usually approvals are sold at an above average retail price, to compensate for a significantly higher loss factor and the free shipping. Also, if the buyer doesn't pay, it will probably be too late to get the listing/closing fees refunded.

It should be interesting to read how things turn out. Please keep us updated.

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I have been purchasing stamps via the Internet for the past 8 years, and I never had dealings with a seller who would ship the stamps without first receiving payment.

I would hope that any regular participant in one of the online auctions will follow through.

That being said, I would switch to the traditional model, and get payment at the auction end, especially since you can't control who you are going to do business with. You build up relationships as a seller by selling nice stuff at good prices, and then packing items safely and shipping items quickly. Buyers will come back for more.

My 2d.
C.

I probably will switch to cash up front for more valuable stamps but right now as a newbie I am just playing around with 1980' Canadian stamps so no big deal. I guess I felt I really had to sweeten the pot cause I can hardly believe people pay good money for these sticky little pieces of paper!

k I m waiting for you to do the same with your $100 + stamps

bob

you learn something new every day. :)

I buy stamps from sellers on a regular basis. As long as the price and sale were smooth I will continue to buy from them. I wouldn't send out stamps to people I don't know and hope they are future customers. If you have good prices and stamps you will get the future sales.

We would all like to think that everyone is as honest as we are - especially within a group of people of like interests. Unfortunately, that is not going to happen in this day and age.

I will trust APS, GPS, ATA, etc. members much farther than non-members, but even within those organizations there are people being blackballed for unethical behavior every day.

I think you'd be better off with the old philosophy "In God we trust. All others pay cash."

hey sharksfan..you get my letter yet?

I was thinking it would be nice to have something that harkens back to the good old days of getting approvals, but that was me buying and others sending. I knew there was a risk involved for the sellers but didn't understand how much.

Also the mention of getting your ebay fees refunded in the case of non-payment is a valid point indeed. ebay will charge you whether you receive payment within their state time period for that whether you have got paid yet or not.

If you are just starting out getting your ebay numbers built up to a respectable total it might be a good idea to get sales. But to continue on in that fashion is accepting more risk that is warranted. khj mentioned the increase in retail price to cover a bigger loss in approval sales. You will have to do the same to cover losses that may happen.

As others have mentioned, trust is gained by good service and good product combined with fair prices, both product and shipping. And when I say fair I mean realistic enough to cover all your costs.

Sometimes the costs need to be distributed amongst the stamp prices and shipping to keep things looking fair to the buyers.

I can see how to manage the quick shipment of orders but pricing fairly looks like an arcane science to me...but that reinforces my point about wanting to develop a good rapport with buyers.

For avid collectors to either deal amongst themselves or to total strangers, there will either be a codition of deep trust, as in the former case, or else clear rules and guidelines are required,as with total strangers. I'm looking to fall somewhere in the middle, gone by this time next year but in the meantime committed to finding homes for old stamps! (So much for those birdhouses I was going to build this winter.)

Anyway, facing the daunting but fascinating prospect of thousands of future online/mail order transactions, I'll be looking for approval all over the place! Cheers.

I've been selling on ebay since 1999 and now on Delcampe. I like most get payment before shipping, but 90%+ of the buyers will pay within 48 hours. Your buyers are buying more than just a stamp or cover, but they are buying your service thus you'll do best when you describe things well, good pictures, ship promptly, package them securely, good communication and use some stamps when mailing packages (say no to meters unless you are selling to a meter collector). As for pricing, start as low as you feel comfortable. If you do all the above, then the item should sell at a fair market price no matter the starting price.

That's a great thought about the paying for your service, Battle! I heartily agree.

Having bought stuff from Battlestamps... I can say that he is quick to ship and the stuff turns up to be exactly what he says it is.
I have been filling holes in my collection from his auctions. got stuff cheaply and combines shipping is nice.. this may sound like an advert, but if you see something on his auctions you want, I wouldn't hesitate to buy from him.

>> stampvirgin, of course that sounded like an advert...and a mighty fine one...too bad you are bringing coal to Newcastle because I ain't buyin' it! I'm selling it, especially with all this good advice.

Honestly, about pricing, the only way to do it well is to love the hobby because it can sure take up a lot of time. Here is to hoping that the auction style brings out the best in all of us.

stampvirgin: thanks for the endorsement.

It does take time that's for sure, but usually anything done right usually does.