My Kenmore Order Came In.

Two came in, one was sold out. Not bad for 60 cents... Except for the $4 shipping.

I can not really believe that you used them. You can get the same stamps on E-bay, Delcampe or Stampwants ( bidstart ) and don't have to pay nearly the large shipping amount!

Peter

We need to work on the focus a bit.

There is nothing wrong with Kenmore Stamp Company. I have many fond memories of Kenmore approvals when I started collecting stamps. I'm sort of amazed they are still around after all these years. A survivor! Kenmore, along with Jamestown Stamps and H.E. Harris were the foundation for collectors 50 years ago, before the Internet, ebay, and all the on-line auction sites. If you don't want these companies around, all that is required is to not buy from them, thus there will only be sites like ebay, Delcampe or Stampwants along with the problems (frauds, scams, etc.) they unfortunately sire. At least with companies like Kenmore you could establish a personal relationship and dealing trust. Congratulations Blackhorseon. Nice pickups. You seem to be into the topical area of Trains.

Okay, I just want to say, don't get discouraged, Blackhorseson. All the know-it-alls here have made their share of mistakes. Chalk it up to a learning opportunity and move on. Check out some of the threads on how best to buy stamps, US stamps, worldwide stamps, kiloware, individual or single stamps etc. After a bit of study time, make your next purchase one you'll be proud of.

Perhaps I missed it, but if you can describe where your collection is at right now--approximately how many stamps, which countries, pre-1940, 1940-1980, after 2000 whatever, perhaps some of the smart-alecs here will be kind enough to send you some good duplicates.

Mostly doing topics, both U.S. and world wide. For my boys, mostly trains, comic book superheroes, cartoons, etc. Me, history, old ships, ancient Egypt, Disney Aladdin, American baseball and football players, stuff like that. Been ordering the cheap used ones. Figured that is the best way to start.
Everyone has been extremely helpful to me here and I appreciate it. I have no idea about any of this so learning as I go and what I read on here.
Thank you everyone!

For topicals, you might try doing searches in Stamps2Go. Shipping is only 1.00 from a single seller. Once you put something from one seller into your cart, there's a button you can click to search the rest of that seller's offerings. Do one topic at a time, two or three sellers who have more than one of your topic, then do another topic with the same seller(s) until you have enough to make the 1.00 s/h worthwhile.

But you can do the same thing on ebay or bidStart, really. Shipping varies more widely but the total number of stamps on offer is greater.

Actually, Kenmore and Mystic are easier to use than ebay when looking for inexpensive single stamps. I have used then in the past to fill inexpensive holes in my albums. On ebay I would end up buying collections to find the same stamps, but if you need a single transportation coil, as example, they are a great resource. You have to look out for the shipping costs and wait until you have enough stamps to justify the fixed shipping costs.

Paul

That's why I got the catalogs. I can order stamps for my boys collections for fifteen to twenty cents each used. Not going out for an investment, just for collecting and fun. Same for me, not investment, just collecting for a hobby.
The catalogs I can pick what I want and order, not have to possibly outbid someone. Only fees are shipping and maybe a stamp to send out.
Unless someone dumps a load of stamps in my lap and says take them, I don't think I can do the kilowares or lots just yet.
Plus I found a couple of used 1890's stamps in a catalog for 35 cents each. May or may not be in crappy shape, but that's only 70 cents I'll be out if they're trash.

Agree with everything said. Also, if there is a local stamp club, you could look into that. You could get stamps like these from other members for pennies, or even for free. Clubs are great for beginners! Cheers.

Blackhorseson, email me a postal address and I'll send you some trains that were included as a bonus in an ebay lot that arrived today. I only collect to 1940 and these are too new for me. :)

True, but they are more expensive than bidStart and Stamps2Go, both of which permit you to search efficiently for indivudal stamps by catalogue number. It is not simply a choice between buying whole collections on ebay and singles at Mystic or Kenmore.

Think with online sites, you need either a credit card or PayPal. I have no card, and PayPal screwed up my açcpint somehow so I discontinued it. I always rather paid with a money order anyway. Just old fashioned, I guess.

Is worldwide cheaper than U.S.? Was thinking about doing a little bit of that also. Have a few topics narrowed down, but was wondering about it prisewise.

Blackhorseson, I read where you collect mostly topicals. Have you considered the American Topical Association?

Peter

Never heard of that. Thanks Peter! The topicals are mostly for my boys, but I just may collect as many U.S. and worldwide as I can. Lol I need to start working on mine, as soon as I can find a big lot really cheap.

Jeff