Buying On Ebay/Hipstamp

All good, Rogdcam; I'm here to learn, and have several threads where I've been asking around as to where folks acquire their higher-end stamps. In valuing higher-end stamps, I will do a search of past/recent auctions; and also simply compare the stamp to what others are selling similar stamps for. (I realize that just because everyone is listing a particular stamp for a given price; that does not determine fair market value.) That said, the buyer largely determines what a fair price to pay is by handing over his/her cash. I do take the photo of said stamp and compare it to known examples as well. Find the Swedish Tiger a quick and easy reference. Lastly, I am simply relying on the seller. In this case, I know Momen has been around quite a bit. Does that mean they don't sell forgeries, I don't know. Would I expect a company that has been in business a long time to be reputable, yes. The market tends to take care of most unscrupulous sellers.

All that said, this is the stamp, and the price I paid was $1,225.

My only experience with Momen was to email them that this J58 was not a J58: https://www.ebay.com/itm/MOMEN-US-S...AOSwaXpb3pFL . They replied saying basically they know more about identifying US than I do. It later sold. PS: not an expert here, but I would be concerned about a possible removed cancel on the 24 cent shown above. Does it have a certificate?

I also wonder whether the above Scott 120 has a cert. if unused, I would expect NG from Momen at that price.
I would not recommend buying a stamp like this without a cert.

Andy stated above that it does not have a cert.

This is the ebay listing for the stamp:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MOMEN-US-S...ig_cvip=true

It's visually attractive with decent centering and color, but as to whether it actually is unused rather than used with a lightened/removed cancel, I wouldn't trust it without a cert. THose yellowish spots at top and bottom could be toning... or not.

The yellow spots do appear to be toning. The stamp actually does look better in person, which I found a good thing. I do have a (think a 20x) magnifying glass, and cannot find anything to lead me to believe there was a cancel removed; although freely admit I am not an expert in that realm. Guess I'll send it in to the APS.

On another somewhat related note, what is everyone's "magic number" where you won't buy a stamp without a certification?

I don't have a magic number per se, at least with respect to getting an item certed for authenticity. It depends on what the item is and how prevalent fakery is for that item.

Regarding getting a cert for condition, it depends on what I am paying for it compared to catalogue and/or market value.

For example, if I would be buying a primo example of a $1,000 catalog value stamp for $1,000, where soundness is a major factor, I probably would get it certed. However, if I were purchasing a lesser-quality example of a $4,000 catalogue value stamp for $1,000, then perhaps not (assuming I am comfortable enough with my or other people's assessments I trust), as the cert costs quadruple compared to the first stamp. Spending an additional 20-25% on a cert for an item with an already low market value percentage is a different ballgame with respect to decisions, in my opinion.

Absolutely would not touch that stamp without a cert. Momen is absolutely no exception in any way, shape or form. Please show us the cert. upon arrival. Best of luck.

Momen has some pretty bad reviews even though majority of their reviews are ok.

I have had 3 experiences with Momen; two purchases and one (a used 85E) that we could not come to agreement on the price. The two purchases, which were smooth transactions were for a Scott 60 premier gravure with a very early (1951) PFC and the other was for an unused Scott 272A with both early (1946) and later (1990's) PFC. moments prices to me are a little on the high side but he does have some nice stamps.

I think we all know, in general what stamps should already have a cert when offered for sale and immediately ask ourselves why a stamp that should have a cert —doesn't. We can all dream up explanations but of course the main concern is that the stamp did have a cert, it was not favorable and so it was tossed. We can all also think of dealers for whom this concern might be greater than for others.

That is why my personal policy for any expensive stamp (US) is to insist on an upfront cert. I don't submit myself anymore. A related thread had questioned the value of bill Weiss certs—I used his service for foreign stamps, while he was alive. I have never used Sismondo.

What does the stamp look like under longwave UV? That may help to show up a cancel remnant if there is one.

A great example of why I would buy directly from an auction house for these stamps is demonstrated by a US Scott 37 that Momen has listed on ebay. They are asking $495. The stamp sold at Siegel's for $120 and Siegel mentioned a small tear at the top and minor toning spots. Momen mentions a pulled perf and some short perfs at the bottom and nothing else.

Folks need to spend time doing discovery the stamp AND on the seller and before pulling the trigger on significant purchases.
Don

Don,

I think the issue arises when a collector wants to 'buy'. Auctions are great, but it's a slow process of buying based on what's available for higher quality stuff.

If you wake up one day, and want a new stamp, this is where overpaying, not doing discovery and I impulse works against you.

Patience is a big deal for collecting, and is at odds with near term satisfactions.

The other scenario is losing at auction, and then what? Paying retail or waiting for the next one that comes up? Months, years, decades?