Does Anyone Really Buy Anything From The Big Stamp Companies

i look at the prices ask from some of the larger stamp companies and they seem out of line with scotts listings values..am I the only one that has observed that? I talk about the big stamp companies but do not like to name names. give me your input please

In the past some 20 years ago I did, but no longer do since ebay and other places like it you can get the same stuff far cheaper.

Sure why not ? If it's a nice piece that fits the collection for a fair (I mean fair to how much I want the piece) then I couldn't care less who I purchase from.

It's like anything else, you can buy any piece of merchandise from a store such as Macy's (for example) and it will likely be higher than the same product from Kmart or Walmart. Much of it relates to the store's catering to a different clientele (higher end shopper who wants sales clerks to help them v. budget shopper who doesn't mind the self-service (and occasionally messy) discount stores).

The same can be said for stamps. The "big players" typically charge more to cover their staffing, advertising, etc., whereas those on ebay don't have that overhead. The same can be said about the few "Mom and Pop" stamp stores left. Many would support buying from a local establishment even though the prices may be a bit higher, as personalized service may be well worth it.

To use Mystic Stamp Co. as an big-name outfit, they have fine albums, many of which may actually be a "loss leader" to get people onto their mailing lists and hopefully order other products in time, even though they have much higher prices than you can get on ebay. Sometimes the customer support and the "knowing who you're dealing with" and the return policy and the convenience of having a single source for most any of your needs may actually be worth the higher prices to some people.

About 20 years ago I bought a used Harris classics album with most of the stamp mounts already in it. If not for that I would buy the Mystic album. Other than that I have stuck to stamp shows, ebay and private sales. I like to think that I have a respectable collection but that's relative. You can spend a lot at the big boys but if I'm going to spend a lot I would rather it be wit a friend or private sale.

I never have.

The higher the value of the item, or the increased likelihood of forgeries and that sort of thing, the more this plays into my decision and the more likely I am to purchase from a larger entity that may have a well established return policy, customer support, etc.

I can't say I never have, after all, I was young once, but I haven't bought anything for many, many years. Their prices are absurdly high and the second you even pretend to be interested in anything they have, they won't leave you alone.

Maybe it is just me, but I won't pay the prices of NY Stamps or Momen.


-IBFS

I have used Mystic before and probably will again. Nice to know there is support and a return policy and it helps knowing the people on the other side. Not saying I don't look for bargains.

i just posted because it seemed that there may be better places to purchase...i have always been a bargain hunter and just would never pay those prices...but that may just be me...but I have not really have made a decent purchase for over 20 years..the only thing I purchased in the past 5 year were kilowares......and I do love the hunt..if you all understand what I mean by the hunt

I did buy from some companies in past. I stoped completely as
their stamps for approval coming and not haveing time to look
them all was ending up owning. At present I did buy from
forum like this some people selling via form I did purchage
from them. I never bought via ebay specially stamps.

tikithindi

I used to buy from Mystic when I was younger (in my teens.) With the advent of ebay, I have been doing most of my purchases from there. However, if ebay doesn't have what I am looking for, I'll happily buy it from Mystic. But I also have the convenience of s stamp and coin store that's maybe 2 minutes from my house. So, I tend to buy stuff there also.

I have bought albums from Mystic. Really nice folks but I am on both their mailing and telemarketing lists now. For supplies its been a mix of Mystic, Subway, iHobb, and a lot of ebay. For stamps its usually been ebay or much less frequently, bidstart.

That's the luxury I do not have here in BFE. I haven't purchase anything from Mystic in years with the exception of mounts or glassines. I understand about the hunt LONEDAN. I'm hunting thru a collection that hasn't seen daylight since 69. It's the not knowing that is the thrill for me.

tikithindi, I had a problem with the Jamestown Stamp Company a while back. They sent me approvals, they never sent me anything that I actually wanted (even though I told them exactly what I wanted) so I told them to stop sending. They persisted. I sent back a couple of sets, each time with a note that told them to stop sending. They persisted. I sent back one final set with a note that said that any further approvals they sent, I would consider a gift and would neither be returning, nor paying for. They persisted. In fact, every couple of months they send me a package and I dump them in a drawer. They'll never get a single set back again, no matter how many they send. Some of these approval companies are dishonest. Apparently, Jamestown is just stupid.