My Kiloware Experience!

dim4ik, I am not sure how much would be too much to pay on kiloware! you must remember if they are still on paper it will also add to the weight. Some sellers leave a lot of unnecessary paper on the stamps and increase the weight in that way.That would mean more weight less stamps. Ask for at least an estimated number of stamps.
As for unsearched packs,I don't really believe they exist. Perhaps if you buy from a private collector but I don't think there are dealers who sell you stamps that haven't been picked through. But that's my personal opinion and I could be wrong.
Ann

I always look for the lots of kiloware that are described as 'closely trimmed'. That way, you can be fairly sure that there will be more stamps in it.

Chimo

Bujutsu

I just received a 5 LB unsearched mixture of bulk/precancel used on paper from Swan philatelics and I too loved the complete sheet on parcel protected. As for the mixture, I am pleased with the contents. Approximately 1 pound into it, I have picked out over a 150 pnc's and virtually everything is very close clipped. I am having a problem getting more than about half to soak free. VERY FRUSTRATING! Bill

I sympathize with you Bill, especially when you take so much care to get them soaked 'damage-free' and you still lose a lot.

Lately, I have been leaning towards off paper mixtures.

Chimo

Bujutsu

I agree with you Bujutsu! I opt for off paper stamps! the other thing is steer away from people who are selling album pages in bulk. I received one such lot today from a "reputable" seller on Ebay( i.e. they have a lot of positive feedback) My problem with this lot was that it just had lots and lots and lots of album pages and a few stamps sometimes just one on a sheet...I paid for all that paper to be shipped to me!

Welcome to the forum. Keep it.

Swan philatelics as been mentionned. I found the site and its realy antiquated. The list of items for sale dates back to April 2011. Are they still in buisiness?

Hot water is fine if the paper is not dark enough to stain the stamps while they soak. I use water from the cold faucet or tap to soak off stamps on darker paper and the red/blue of airmail paper. Those which stain go into some clear rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol. After about 10 minutes, most stains are gone. I then put them back in clean water to remove the alcohol. I've removed most stains from stained stamps received in trades by mail with this alcohol. You can find it in any drug store, Walmart, etc cheaply. I rinse all soaked stamps at least twice to get them nice and white. If I used a drop of detergent for soaking, I would rinse the stamps well afterwards.

Postage is the biggest cost to be careful of when buying kiloware.

Some stamp numbers per weight to help you figure out how much per stamp kiloware costs.

1 kilo of stamps off paper = 15,000 stamps
1 kilo of stamps on paper = 5,000 stamps

1lb of stamps off paper = 7,000 stamps
1lb of stamps on paper = 2,250 stamps

Today I received 450gms of Australia high values with a cost delivered of $260 and I am hoping for 2,500 stamps because of the number of smaller stamps at approx 10 cents per stamp.

Normal letter rate recent kiloware should cost around $20 per 1kg plus postage. At a cost of .4c per stamp.+ postage.

Hope my figures are right. :)

The cost of normal letter rate postage sold on paper also depends on the country issuing it and the dates of issue of the majority. Countries with larger populations use more stamps so they tend to be cheaper. German stamps are cheaper than Finland and Australian cheaper than PNG. I have seen very recent Australia offered at 3 times the cost of those 5-10 years older.