Any Tips For Buying Collections On-Line?

I have been looking at collections (e.g., one or more albums) on ebay and was wondering to go about sizing them up. The ebay posting typically list an estimate of the number of stamps, their condition (used, mint, etc.), and a limited number of page pictures.

I am mainly focused on filling spaces, so I do not have a problem with getting common material, as long as it is at a good price. What I do worry about is ending up with a bunch of damaged stamps.

In the end, I know that there is an element of risk to buying a mostly sight-unseen collection. I am just hoping to mitigate it.

Thanks for the help.

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My rule of thumb is to bid only what you would pay for the items you can see in the pictures that you would add to your collection. So, if you see 200 stamps, but only 10 will make it to your collection, bid what you are willing to pay for those 10.

Hi, do you ever go to stamp shows? Usually you can find dealers who are selling what you are looking for sometimes.

Hint, I usually wait until the show is ending then make an offer (if there is anything I'm interested in) to my advantage. Usually the seller would rather I carry the stuff out then he would. Does not always work, but sometimes it does. Excellent way to get good trading material. Examine, examine, every page and observe.

Just a suggestion, good luck.

Good luck.

Stampmaster

It really depends on what your looking for. Also something at a good buy will probably net you more damaged stamps or duplicates. I built my base on kiloware. These were sight unseen and I was extremely happy. Though I now have one heck of a surplus of late 1930 through 1960s us stamps. However it helped fill holes from the classics up to today. It also started a base for my revenues and more. At the time I think I was paying ten bucks for 5 pounds or stamps sightun seen on paper.

I have never bought stamps on ebay. How ever I have seen some good buys. Stamp shows the few I went too offer better stamps but much higher pricing.

So bottom line is really what you would be happy with.

I simply use a 'fun factor' calculation. I merely estimate how many hours of fun I think I will spend on the collection and then multiple the hours times around $20 or so. (I figure I would typically spend $20 per hour doing any other fun activity but others can substitute whatever number they wish.)
Don

In my experience you will always do better with such lots at auctions such as Rasdale rather than ebay. ebay material usually starts out at Rasdale and others anyway. Just be disciplined with what you are willing to pay.

Part of a post I made in another thread:

When it comes to purchasing lots/collections online or at auction...

1. Like traditional forms of gambling, always purchase (participate) primarily for enjoyment rather than investment or return.

2. Never spend (gamble) more than you can afford to lose, in the event that what you purchase isn't what you thought it was.

3. Only ever purchase based upon what you can actually see in online auction lots, not on what MIGHT be there. This catches people up. They will see the overall characteristics of selected images and infer inclusion of better items that were never actually implied to exist, only in their mind.

4. When it comes to ebay, never rely solely upon verbal description for scope of material. When in doubt, ask for more pictures. See it before you buy it.

5. Be careful of return policies on lots/collections. Many online sellers *AND* major auction houses do not allow the return of bulk lots; their return policy only applies to singles/sets. Read the fine print first.

I agree that buying collections at stamp shows is better than buying online. You can actually touch, see, and smell (yes smell) the albums. I bought a couple of old albums on ebay and they smelled like mold and cigarette smoke!

I usually only buy individual stamps or sets from people I know (like on Stamps2Go) or from the APS stamp store.

Chris

Thanks for the tips. I will keep them in mind as I shop.

As for buying at a stamp show, I live in the Land of Enchantment, which is like living in a third-world country on a desert island. There is one small annual show. So while I can see the advantage buying at one, the opportunity isn't there for me.