What Does The Term "Set" Mean To You?

In the title descriptions for same issue stamps I am using the word set. eg.

2010 Australia World Heritage Sites Set of 2 55c Used.

There is also gummed set of 2 55c & 2 high value in the set as well in this issue.

I am getting some really strange emails at times and some bad feedback in the hidden area for wrongly described.

To me there is a big difference between a complete set and a set of 2 55c used.
I know my description is totally correct but some people I think are taking it as complete. The image matches the description. So why am I getting demands for the other stamps to make a complete set?

Is the word "set" a big no no! I have had 3 of these complaints in the past month.

To leave the word set out of the title description to me seems way over the top.

What do others think about this situation?

In my use of the word set I have only used it to describe a complete set. However, it can be used to describe a short set or a long set, old terminology perhaps.

The set of 4 values, 2 x 55c and 2 x $1.10



described by one seller in the UK as


He also describes only the two 55c stamps as 'set 2 vals', so you are not alone in your calling just 2 of the stamps a set John.

Perhaps just insert the word 'values' or the abbreviation 'vals' and that would satisfy the ravening mobs?

You find in describing items on ebay to sell that there are many meanings to words and someone somewhere is bound to misunderstand what you thought was a good general meaning.

I think this is just human nature, all describe things as we see them to the best of our ability. One problem is that not everyone's ability is the same at all times. Not meaning any disrespect to anyone here. Just stating the facts, ma'am.

And that's what you have to do. Just state the facts. Trouble is, your facts and the other guy's facts are always somewhat different.

Part of the solution I think is to try to think like the buyer would think, get out of your own head, so to speak. Be friends with the buyer and say things so he would understand them. It's just being friendly.

If I am skimming through ebay listings and see the word set, I would automatically assume 'complete set'.

As I'm one of those rare people who then read the full description I would then realise that it isnt a full set and move on rather than complaining, but I can see where confusion can arise.

When I see "set", I assume complete set. "Short set" would be a more accurate description.

Other alternates to your original title are perhaps:

Original
2010 Australia World Heritage Sites Set of 2 55c Used.

Alternate 1
Australia 2010 World Heritage Sites Short Set of 2, 55c Stamps

Alternate 2
Australia 2010 World Heritage Sites Stamps, Set of 2 55c Values

Alternate 3
Australia 2010 World Heritage Sites 55c x 2 Values

The I's have it! No more using the term "set".

This issue has been going straight over my head.

I just could not figure out how I was wrongly describing!

At least it is easy to stop this form of grief.

2010 Australia World Heritage Area The 2 55c Used.

The term "Set" is now "The"!

Now I am off to edit.

How special is our SCF online stamp club!

Thank you very much to Puzzler, Yuri-YSC, PostmasterGS and Maiden.

You have all helped me from causing a lot of grief for myself and others.
Sometimes by ourselves we can not see the obvious. It is so good to share.
46 listings now edited from "Set Of" to "The" so that will give me some breathing space to think on the other terms mentioned.

Thanks Again! KGV

I still have trouble with this situation!




And this description has a gallery and listing image of only the 2 stamps described.

Out of that description how do you get a complete set is being offered with that description of 2 stamps and image of 2 stamps. Why would you think there is more than 2 stamps for sale?

I just do not get it!

I assume 'set' means 'complete set' too.

I notice that some sellers prevent the misunderstanding by including the catalog numbers for the stamps they are selling. This may not always be practical but I really appreciate it when sellers do it.

Karen

If one was buying without a catelogue handy, one might assume from the description that there are only 2 stamps in the issued set. Might be nitpicking/silly, but this could lead to confusion for some people.

KGV, its not worth spending too much time worrying about.
Some people's behaviour will never make sense!
Whether or not you think it is clear, whether or not you are technically/grammatically/factually correct, whether or not you think the buyers are muppets who can't read properly
If you are getting the impression from feedback that people are not understanding the listing, change it until they do. Less grief all round.

It is just so horrible to think I have mislead so many people!




Yes stampgal I do over think things at times.

Anyway issue fixed, on we go!

The word set of stamps or stamp set, means, a few stamps in a series. Once you finish the set, you have all the stamps with you. Which means you will have to collect some other set.

Set means a lot to some collectors, who spend a lot of their earnings to complete a set. A year set could be completed, a series set could be completed, A whole country set could not be completed, as the number of stamps issued keeps on increasing every year.

Trying to complete a set is very exciting and time consuming and also some investment is needed to do the job.

A set means a lot to me. As for this post, the word set could be replaced by some other word, say by just removing the word, or using the word lot.

the word lot might mislead to the meaning a lot or many stamps.

i am not sure what to suggest, what you used is correct by your conscious, other people might differ or have other view points.

Let us agree to disagree. At least we agree for one time.

warm wishes.

KGV,
You have just asked for the meaning of a word that has the most definitions in the English language ha ha ha.
You are okay to use the word set as one of it's myriad meaning is;

set apart
To reserve for a specific use.

As in to reserve for sale. if anyone challenges you on this refer them to The Oxford Concise Dictionary and remind them that most of us speak English as handed down by Oxford.
Great fun, thanks for the smile,
Mortimer.

Here is the USPS definition:



https://www.usps.com/stamp-collecti...glossary.htm

This definition is still too vague to really address your question.
It's no wonder there can be misunderstandings between sellers and buyers.

And as everyone knows (and frequently forgets) people in different English-speaking countries are not always speaking the same language.

Sellers should be as clear as they can be, but even so, erroneous assumptions made by buyers are almost unavoidable, even within the same country.

I agree with stampgal. Don't worry. Do your best and then don't take it personally if some misunderstanding occurs. That happens in all aspects of life.

Karen

After reading all the comments again. Which have all been very helpful.

It happens to be set listing day for me and it is also set selling day as well.

Over the last 2 weeks with having the word set removed from the title description, sales have decreased by 75% and here I am writing about the stamps I should be listing.

If I have a gallery image of the stamps and write in the title description "set of 6 45c used" and someone can not understand number 6 or count the stamps in the image or have eye sight so poor they can not see the image or add to set the word complete or add stamps to the set that are not 45c ones.It is just so much not my problem.

ebay takes away our stores TRS status. I can use the word set.

YSC Mortimer




kehess




stampgal





No sets up for sale this week it is now to late in the day I find.

But next week I will be back to using the word "set" I try to be as universal as possible with my title descriptions to being over the top. But eBays feedback rules are the real problem here.