Advice Please, I Got Cheated By Stamp Seller

I agree with the previous posters that if you didn't receive the stamp pictured in the listing, the seller was being deceptive and that should be brought to his/her attention. (dispute, negative feedback or whatever) However, be sure you check the listing's fine print. Frequently a seller will include some disclaimer that it is a "stock photo" or you will receive a stamp "like" the one pictured. Generally that language is buried in the boilerplate language that almost no one reads.

As for the condition, it may be my memory (Hey, it was the 70's and I was 20 ) but I believe the stamp was issued with a white background. The adhesive migration caused the yellowing/browning of the stamp. The stamp you received is mottled (typical) but with some of the original background color remaining; it is actually closer to the original condition than the completely discolored stamp in the listing. It isn't as visually attractive and how the mottling affects your decision or its market value I have no clue.

Dan

IBFS:
If you would like, send me your mailing address and I would be glad to send you a couple of copies of Scott's #1552, unused, for comparative purposes.
Respectfully submitted:
jrc531

I think I have one in pristine unused with gum condition.

I just checked it and I do. Looks exactly like the seller pgoto that he posted in the opening post

I went to PayPal and filed a dispute. It turns out that there was a misunderstanding which caused some miscommunications between the seller and I. PayPal refunded my money. I consider the matter closed. If in reality it isn't I will keep you posted.

I'm afraid I disagree with anyone who says the stamp is not damaged. It has been damaged over time by probably a combination of it's adhesive along with environmental issues.

The stamp is dead. Just like the parrot in Monty Python's Dead Parrot skit. It isn't pining for the fjords, it's bleeding demised, it's expired and gone to meet it's Maker, it's flung down the curtain and joined the Choir Invisible. This...is a late...stamp.



-IBFS

Tis but a flesh wound!

Thanks for your kind offer jrc, but I think I will keep my used one. It was soaked off decades ago when it was new and is white as a sheet. I don't think an unused one today could possibly represent the stamp with a fresher look.

Thanks again!
-IBFS

The only thing you can do is to remove the adhesive with lighter fluid (Ronsonol) and hinge the stamp to the backing. The stains may disappear if all of the adhesive is removed. I found sheet that is much worse in a postage lot purchased a week ago. Apparently, the collector stored it in plastic resulting in the migration of plasticizer onto the front of the stamps. I am not sure that lighter fluid will ever clean the stamps enough to be presentable, but it should remove enough of the sticky goo from the front to keep them from sticking to another piece of mail when they are used, which will be soon.

Clark

Although we never like to feel burned in any deal sometimes the stress just isnt worth it, spend a dollar and get another one then give the old one to a kid or toss it in the junk so you dont see it anymore. I do it too but after the fact I realize how not worth it, it really is.

I also got cheated by a seller. I bought a set of yearbooks. Paid with a credit card. Seller sent two boxes, but mis-labeled one so it was returned undeliverable. The box I received was damaged in transit and half the content was missing. I notified the seller, who kept stalling and delaying. I notified the credit card company and allowed 50% of the payment to go through thinking I would get the balance of the shipment sometime and the seller would make good on the lost items by claiming in his insurance. No such luck. I ended up with six of the promised 26 books and seem to be SOL on getting any help from the seller. Any advice?

X, by allowing half of the payment, I think you've hurt your chances.

Family,

The big question is:

How about all the stamps that have been issued since 1991? Are these stamps going to go South too? That's a lot of stamps!

Jack Kelley