Front And Reverse Scans On Ebay

As pointed out, scanning the back of a stamp costs time and money. And t is not worthwhile for an inexpensive item. Obviously, it is worth the time and effort for a pricier stamp. I see no indication from the posters that they are willing to pay and extra couple of bucks for the scan of an inexpensive stamp.

Normally I won't buy any stamp without looking at the back, regardless of value. So its up to the seller whether they want to attract all potential customers or just those that are a bit more relaxed.

Not to many collectors have their stamps in album backs up.



Common sense has to prevail.

Australia decimal 2000 to now stamps with no backs showing on scan in the listings adds up to the buyers coming back because the seller is a trusted one.

To have 1,500 listings with images and you want me to put up 3,000 images before you buy off me is craziness.

If you want to buy from an unknown selling without a written reply that the back of the stamp condition is in top condition. A written reply is all the buyer needs to cover themselves on ebay.

My pet peeve in this arena is sellers who don't image the backs of stamps (cheap or expensive) when they know there is toning, spotting, foxing, or other gum disturbances. Seriously- if you take the time to look at the gum to determine it's never hinged, you don't think it's important to note other important characteristics of the gum like rust stains?

This is not relegated to eBay- it's a frequent frustration for me on Hip Stamp and Delcampe as well. Why describe a stamp or lot as "absolutely flawless mint never hinged" when there is obvious spotting or stamps with sweating?

Certain sellers are serial offenders. One on Hipstamp is especially frustrating because even when I've pointed out the issues in my note when returning the stamps, he relists them without offering any qualifications about the gum condition. He has a lot of nice stuff- so for my last 2 transactions with him I very specifically asked for any/all condition issues with the gum. He did note toning on several items, which I declined to buy.

The back of the older stamps should be clearly described and a scan should be included as well.

Plus there should be zero tolerance to back of stamp damage with Australia decimal 2000 to now and others etc.

Lately, I've been buying lots and small collections on ebay. There are quite a few sellers that will provide a view of the backs with all stamps flipped, 50 stamps or more sometimes. Then I can figure the lot down to the nuts, even fairly cheap stamps, and give the best bid I can. I think I'm bidding somewhere near a high wholesale level most times. I'm winning too often, actually, so there's proportionately more lowball bidders than I remember from years back, fewer bidders overall on many things. With certain countries, particularly tropical ones, I'll just pass on a lot without back scans. The lot then often sells for what I would figure to have paid for an all-faulty lot.

If you as a seller are willing to leave money on the table, that's okay. If you already have the reputation for not providing back scans, your regulars know you so they will bid accordingly. But new bidders will trust you that much less.

Can not ever remember being asked for a back scan....

Can remember a lot of buyers doing small buys 1st before buying many listings at one time.

Buyers seem to be looking at packaging, time it takes before their buy to show up and mailing stamps used.

Not so sure back scans really mean anything to my buyers other than they have to be spot on. Have never sold a stamp with a bad back ever.

But my listing were mainly singles and issued sets not groups of stamps. Not counting kiloware.