Sellers That Tape Down Stamps On Packages And Other Annoying Actions.

I generally save stamps on paper until I have a tub full and do some marathon soaking sessions. This past weekend I started soaking normal stamps. (I use other methods for self-adhesives).

I always like buying stamps from a seller and see some nice stamps on the envelope they arrive in... It's like a little bonus.

Something that really bugs me is tape on stamps.

I need to keep track of the sellers that do this, but I have several large pieces of mail that I've received with a plethora of stamps on an edge there will be tape. There's nothing wrong with the gum on the stamp(s), they were holding just fine. But the seller intentionally put tape across a row of a contiguous group/block of stamps. It has nothing to do with an envelope seam or flap.

I also have a couple examples of nice plate blocks and the seller has plastered a self-adhesive stamp over part of the plate number. There was no problem with space on the envelope.

These are not from contentious sales or anything of the sort and
these are sellers of collectable stamps, not just a random vendor. Some have been ebay purchase and some not.

Part of me wonders if it bugs them that they would be giving someone a bonus, but then why put stamps on at all?

Anyone else seeing this or other seemingly intentional issues?


Jeff

Does the tape on the mail seem intended to serve a purpose to bind the package more securely, or does it seem more random?

Hi, I do not like stamps used on my incoming mail, etc., must safe if they would use a meter.

All the stamps used is colorful, but also can be dangerous. Guess I'm jaded from living over sea's for 14 years.

Stampmaster

Sounds like a pretty uncommon practice, and the purpose does mystify.

One would hope that the tape on stamps, or overlapping self-adhesive stamps is just a case of thoughtlessness, or "brain freeze" on the seller's part.

This has happened to me on just a few occasions. When it does, I patiently remove the tape or self-adhesive with lighter fluid at the earliest available time. The longer the self-adhesive material is left on the stamp printing, the more unlikely that it can be successfully removed.

The motivation to use such stamps is often that they were sourced well below face.

its like that strip of paper with an orange barcode on it that they insist on putting across all the stamps.
thats my pet bug!

oh and the dreaded indelible texta across perfectly good stamps.

Oh... and sticky tape too!

Vent over!

I completely agree with the bar code strip vent too! I've had that as well.

Nope, it doesn't seem to have anything to do with package integrity at all and the stamps are well stuck down on their own.

I'm also cognizant of that risk and generally use a PO Box, although that too is not a fool-proof firewall.

Yup, I've done that in the past too. Bought sheets of old issues at 80-90% of face, keep any that I want and used them on packages.

When I occasionally sell excess stamps, I generally use my postage meter now. I often feel bad about not using stamp but have had quite a few send me a not specifically asking that packages don't sport stamps because they are wary of the risks so I stopped.

I wouldn't say I see this all the time. As I get stamps on packages, I had been cutting the envelope leaving about 1/4 - 1/2" around the stamp and tossing them on the pile without giving them much thought for, well sometimes, years. when I get ready to remove them. I'm going to track things like this in the future to see if it's a or a group of dealers. I'm sure it's not just one.

Jeff

I've sent thousands of purchases to collectors all over the world, with 99%+ using stamps. I cannot recall a complaint. A few years ago more collectors asked for the most recent commems, but I've only gotten one such request in the last year, which happened yesterday so I visited the post office and got a sheet so he could get a very recent one. Otherwise I use older mint stamps, of which I have gobs.
Dan (ddaannv on ebay)

I wouldn't say they were complaints but more requests. There was a stretch of time when there was a lot of discussion about people watching the mail and classic stamps would indicate the house had a collection and therefore be a risk. The community may feel differently now but I still keep it in mind.

I don't sell stamp often, just when I have a glut of unwanted/needed stamps. Like I will in a few weeks after I get done soaking and organizing this batch.




Before soaking, I separate by paper color. The vast majority are from business but in recent years I finally managed to get my friends and family trained to save them for me.

Jeff

I use the standard ebay labels. If a customer asked me to use stamps on the mailing, I pull a handful of used stamps on paper and enclose them as a bonus.