Altered Stamps?

Hi,
I collected stamps when younger and my wife found my old album which in turned sparked my interest. I purchased stamps off of ebay. I noticed a few of the stamps appear altered. Example: Perforation into the top part of the stamp, stamp not having perforation on the top, the stamp not being centered correctly.

I just purchased a Scotts book, but it has not arrived as yet. Also since I purchased these I read that ebay was a haven for such things. But, the article was written a few years ago. I didn't pay much for these and they all look mint. The seller had a 100% feedback. I just don't want to collect stamps that are not truly mint.

Thank you for any advice. - sammieg

Welcome to Stamp Community Forum, Sammieg!



Those problems do not imply they have been altered. They are more characteristic of lower grade stamps (i.e., poorly centered), straight edge stamps from the edge of the pane, or booklet pane stamps.

The unethical seller usually alters a stamp to make it look better, not worse.

Kim

The amount of mint's I purchased were 20 for $6. I just looked through my albums of the mint stamps. I have somewhere around 100 mints and all are perfectly centered. After purchasing them I was thought that was odd for a seller to sell thatmany mints for $6.

Does anyone purchase off of ebay? Just curious as to whether I should stay away from the stamp sections. Another question - on a sheet of stamps are those stamps surrounding the outside of a sheet perforated? These stamps are primary famous people from the 20th century.

Thank you for you're reply. I am rekindling an old hobby. I just about fell over when I saw that the Scotts Album sells for $500. I have an old Minkus "The All America". I have ordered the Minutemen album. - Sammieg

G'Day Sammie and to the forum,

that's the first time I've seen a triple post

Thank for the Welcome Harry! Yes, I goofed. I sent a letter to the staff asking them to remove two of them. I would hit arrow to go back and it would send out the posting once again. I didn't realize what was happening. - Sammieg

It's not unusual for bulk lots of common mint US stamps to sell for at or below face value.

It's hard to answer your questions without pictures, as there are quite a few US stamps that fit your description.

It's sounds like a common thing with centering on the lower grade stamps and as Kim said a few photo's will help identify the problem.
thanks and regards Harry

Ho Sammieg, welcome.

I buy and sell on ebay and there are always going to be people who try to sell things that aren't the best for more than they are worth.

Look at the feedback and look at the pictures and then ask for better pictures and explanations of anything that you are concerned about. You can find out a lot about sellers by how they usually answer they mail.

Don't think that everything is going to be perfect when sold as that is why there are premiums on the better stamps. Most stamps are not perfect. But, that is OK for me as I am not either.

The catalog prices are just what dealers are selling really good versions of the stamps for at that time. ebay prices will usually be less than catalog and depending on condition also.

Some sellers call a stamp very fine, for example, but when I look at it it looks like Fine or Very good and not all sellers disclose the flaws or faults of a stamp (which they really should I think). Sometimes people male mistakes, and a good seller would admit his mistake and refund your money and apologize.

Do not assume that the words that are describing the stamp(s) are accurate. They may be, only to the sellers standards, which may be lesser than yours.

Photos / scans of stamps. Maybe your library has a scanner and you can log on to one of their computers and use the scanner and either take it home and edit and crop it and resize it or do all that there. My library has better software on their computers than I do.

Harry, here is the 2nd time.

k

Harry, here is the 2nd time.

k

Harry, here is the 2nd time.

k