Weird Listing Descriptions

An ebay listing




If this kiloware is "unpicked" how does the seller know there is 100 different stamps in the kiloware?

I believe it would be better described as a packet with 100 different Australia stamps!

'Unpicked' is taken to mean that the seller has not picked out any high value or High catalogue value stamps.
It means he sorted through to make sure there were no duplicates, but without a catalogue.

Of course, whether that actually happened cannot be known until the lot arrives. Even then it could be full of 100 different low values and the buyer has no room for complaint unless the listing mentioned values.
Which I assume it didn't.

Londonbus1

I personally assume that these lots are picked, even if the seller says they are not. I think human nature being what it is, the temptation to just remove that one stamp is too great. The lots are very small and each stamp has been handled, which further increases the chances something has been picked out.

If I truly want "unpicked" I tend to look for dealers who appear to be selling bulk lots in massive quantities, ie. if someone has simultaneously listed 100 shoeboxes full of assorted stuff. Certainly that could be picked over too, but the odds are much less. It is unlikely most of the stamps were handled/seen, and the sheer volume of time/labour required to sort would be prohibitive. You can see that some of these sellers are aiming for volume, and if they let a few gems slip through their hands in the process, that is simply a cost of doing business.