2009 Scott Catalogs 69.95 Each

At the risk of sounding cheap...its kind of hard for a worldwide collector to keep up with current catalog values when you need 6 volumes A to Z at the 2009 retail price of 69.95. Like $420 dollars for a set..i can buy almost a years supply of stamps for my collection for that amount...i have the 2005 scott catalogs on CD and my hardcopies are a mix of 2003 and 2006 books. At one time I used to buy one book a year like the G to I contained many countries I am interested in. Would like to hear what other Scott catalog users do 1

I bought a mixed used set 2003/4 from my local hobby store for around 8 dollars per volume - but I am missing the G-I. I plan to replace in a mixed fashion as used copies become available.

Charles.

Hi Phil....

I don't think it's sounding cheap........we all have a budget to live with.

I think it's more a matter of priorities. I have always tried to up date my worldwide set about every five years or so with a set just a year or two old. But then I was never that concerned with knowing current values, until I started buying & selling on line that is. I now find it much more important, especially when thinking about bidding on auctions. I sell my used sets to help offset the cost of a new one. Now, when speaking of the US Specialized I up date every year. I agree that it can seem to be an extravagant expense but when you consider what there is to learn from Scott Catalogs I think it's worth it.

I have personally found great deals and saved myself from being overzealous simply because of info in Scott.

Charles and Tom thanks for replies..Charles sounds like you are getting a pretty good foundation..you may be able to pick up a G-I on ebay for a few bucks..Tom I sell stamps on Stampoffers.com for 1/3 of the 2003 catalog...and boy was I shorting myself on some sales..some values looked like they were up 40 percent from 2003 to 2008..i try to sell enough to cover most of my buying..its just a form of trading for me !! I am sure sellers can discount the Scott catalogs more than they do...but why should they if the demand is there ?

I just found two 2008 Scotts Catalogues, Vol 1 and Scotts Specialized Catalogue for $35.00 (for both), at a garage sale yesterday. I feel like I stole 'em!

I could never afford new ones either.

I bought a 2007 So to Z for $11.00 and found pages for single countries that ranged from $1.50 to $5.00. I'll try to complete my set this way even if it takes forever.

Dianne

What I used to do is to just buy the specific country pages for the countries I collect. There are dealers who specialize in individual country catalog pages. This year I bought a 2007 set of catalogs for about $10 a piece. The only one I could not find was 2007 Specialized so I just bought a 2008.

It just goes to show..there are buys out there...nothing wrong with a year old set of catalogs..unless you are a dealer !!

I have a complete set of 1998 Scott catalogs. I buy a new Volume III every couple of years since it covers my interest - Germany. I have the 2008 volume III both hard-copy and on CD.

I was disappointed that the latest CD is protected and will not download to my hard drive. That's what made it so convenient.

I agree about spending $500 (with shipping). I can buy a lot of nice material for that kind of money.

Besides, t360 is RICH beyond belief. He'll buy new catalogs every year and will tell us what were missing.

Really ! I will have to hook T360 up with Ottawamike and let them put the boxing gloves on and fight over bragging rights !