Used Prices Collapsing Vs Mint Prices Over The Last 15 Yrs?

Hi Landoquakes,

15 years is quite a bit, I as well have been actually running and developing forums pretty much since the internet was invented, starting with Wildcat 5, which was the first modern HTML based BBS system that cam out just before the web became mainstream. I then moved on to run several 50,000+ member forums related to various hobbies and one of the biggest webmaster and design forums at the time (2005 to 2010), so I've seen quite a few forums. All that aside however, this forum software is just about 5 years old, which is VERY old in terms of internet technology, which completely refreshes itself every 6 months or so. You can see for yourself: http://forum.snitz.com/ latest version released March of 2009, yikes.

Anyhow, the forum is definitely well organized with great members, which is really the most important thing anyhow. But things like no direct replies and quoting and probably not very intuitive admin tools make it slightly tedious to use. But again, this seems like a great forum community, just the software is dated and clunky and as you said, I've DEFINITELY seen worse forums due to worthless community ethics and admins run amok. And there's nothing worse in terms of software than EZBoard *shudder*, I'm an IPB fan myself although I do have a couple running vBulletin and I'm warming up to it's admin interface, love the built in ad control system, best in the biz to be honest.

OK back on track, yes you actually get a sense of desperation from the vendors at EXUP, they clearly know what they are up against but seem to be only able to wring their hands in disgust as they try to hit their usual price points. In a way I am glad that some of these dealers can no longer prey on ignorance as much as they used to, the advent of the internet makes it MUCH easier for people to learn about their collections and their values. I actually JUST had this happen to me with a box of coins I've had from my parents for the last 25 years. I went to a local dealer who wanted to give me $260 for the entire lot... I ended up doing some research on the pieces and sold it in small lots on ebay for $750. Even after ebay and PP fees, I made well over double - which of course all went to stamps ;)

Dan

https://goscf.com/t/35093#296591

Welcome to SCF JR.
JR talking about values pertaining to what you paid and what it is worth now is discouraging lets face it. I never collected hoping to get rich or even to make a profit but it would be nice to know you could get some return for your investment. I'm in that boat now. I have about 500 plate Blocks and several sheets that are only worth about 65% of the face value. What I paid for them. Now I never started nor have continued to collect stamps hoping to get rich but it would be nice if I could at least break even.

We do it for the love of stamp collecting, well at least thats why I do it....

your right wert. there's nothing more fun than pouring through a couple hundred stamps and finding one or two you didn't have and even more fun when that one or two stamps fills a page.

I tend to think of stamp collecting as a way to get poor, not rich

Tin man, I am with you. I don't want to see my collection turn into the equivalent of a bottle cap collection.

Jogil, I agree that as the price drops it makes it easier to add to one's collection. But keep in mind that 20 years ago I theorized that used stamps would increase in demand due to the absolute proliferation of new issues that made it increasingly harder to find postally used copies of each one.

Conversely, trying to collect mint, I believed, would become cost prohibitive and ridiculous, and the only challenge would be trying to gather enough money to pay for them all. No more hunting, it's all about buying.

So far this hasn't panned out - people still seem to favor mint. However I think a day will still come when people will shift to the challenge of finding high quality postally used copies of all the issues they bought at the post office. Especially nowdays - when is the last time anyone here posted or received a letter with a commemorative issue on it?

The lesson I'm taking from all this discussion is that as the hobby evolves, quality is the best hedge against deflation. A perfect specimen will always command a high premium, and could even appreciate in value. Mediocrity will continue to decline in value as the "chaff" that is blown away by the winds of change. (how's that for poetic - I'm here all week folks!).