Insane Prices For Common Stamps

I just saw the most insane thing on ebay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-947-194...em2323239870

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-938-194...em232323a313

common stamps with PSE grade of 98 to 100 selling for ridiculous prices.
What is even more insane is that the seller sold 2 of the same stamps, one for much much more. Are people insane or it it just me!
Just check out this sellers completed sales! Good for him but I feel sorry for those who bought those stamps!

Your link as currently posted is not to any stamp listing. Please correct your link. Thank you. [EDIT: OK, I see you have corrected the links. Thank you!]

Regarding these premium sales prices for relatively common stamps that are graded 98/100 -- if the buyer is happy and the seller is happy, then it's just like any other satisfactory transaction.

Until, of course, the buyer finds out they are unable to quickly sell the graded stamp for anything close to what they paid for it.

What's that adage? A ---- and his money are soon parted...

But in all fairness, there are a very few collectors that actually collect these graded common stamps knowing full well that they will take a huge hit if they ever have to sell the stamps. They buy them because they really really really like well-centered stamps. Hey, collect your stamps the way you want, and enjoy them the way you want, because they are your stamps not somebody else's.

I just don't understand why one must have a number in order to appreciate well-centered common stamps. Whatever makes one happy.

Hi KJH,

i checked the links & they work fine. I had initially posted a link but it kept going to a wrong link . I fixed it. Maybe refresh the page & let me know.

re the stamps, I was not really criticizing. Just dumbfounded. I have hundreds upon hundreds of the Iwo Jima stamps & I know I can find at least half a dozen that grade 100 ( in fact I will run them thru ezgrader shortly ). But, for someone to pay me hundreds of dollars for a minimal value stamp! I just don't get it.

The problem as I see it may be that buyers paying that much will eventually realize how bad a financial hot they will take on this type of purchase & that gives the entire hobby a bad wrap.
I guess I could be wrong & that the stamp is really worth that much?

Marios

The really silly thing about this numerical grading is the limited criteria used to determine 100. Seriously, look at the US #947. I wouldn't pay a premium for a bottom row of perfs/margin that looked like that. Not to mention the ink drop-outs in the bottom panel.

It is to the buyer, but not to most other seasoned collectors.

The "advantage" of the internet for sellers is that it opens up a large pool of buyers who really don't know better. It also attracts a lot of scammers, unfortunately. That is why stamp forums like this one are so valuable. We can help watch out for each other.

I agree. I just don't see how any knowledgeable collector could do that. At first I thought it was an ebay newbie who purchase them, but they have a feedback score of over 1500, so they've been around the block a few times!
To each their own I guess.

Agreed. I gave up a long time ago trying to stop people from making foolish purchases they were already dead set on getting. All that happens is they get mad. I just smile politely, shrug my shoulders, and reply that it's not my area of collecting.

There are other threads on this subject too, here is one:

https://goscf.com/t/12046#12046

A tip when linking to ebay lots: all you need is the item number and basic URL.

Example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/150913390704

Thanks BeeSee,

every time I tried to use the full link, it messed up. Will remember that next time. will read the previous posts with anticipation !

Marios

Sensible and reflective comments by the khj,
I support his views.

I have hundreds of those modern stamps in my collection, that would rate 100. Gee wiz.

I could put a plateblock of either one of those stamps listed above in perfect mint condition on ebay for 50 cents each and probably wouldn't get a single bid. I feel the PSE grading is giving a false sense of "rarity".

But they get a real sense of payment for services.

i would like to meet the seller and cause him torment...wait,what am I saying? We are civilized human beings !

each to their own I say - we are all big boys and girls and can make our own decisions (good or bad)