Reputable Stamps From Disreputable Sources

"I have not met any experienced collectors who would recommend to others that they try to build the majority of their collections using sellers like NY Stamps."

Meet....me. I happened to have come in contact with a booklet collector and I have advised him to buy all the booklets he wants from NYStamps. He usually pays a fraction of what I paid for the same booklets in the 80s heydays (it also doesn't help that the exchange rate then was up to 2.8:1 while it is currently 0.9:1). I just wish I had something like NYStamps around in the 80s....

The only thing I'm pondering is: How did NYStamps get in possession of the stolen Bristol pane? The thief was never caught but NYStamp must know him/her given they bought the collection containing the pane. But my guesss is they don't keep track of sellers so that information is lost forever.

drkohler,
Did you notice the title of this thread?

You are the exception, NYStamps reputation is horrible among knowledgeable collectors. A quick search in this community or in a number of other places will quickly show the issues.

Here are a few examples;

Obvious cleaned cancel, obvious huge think and 'expert repair' on back.


Obvious thin and 'expert repair' as seen from back


Used, cleaned and crease stamp described as 'mint' and a $6750 CV


Describe as hinged is actually a thin and another one of their 'expert repairs'

For years NY Stamps said in every listing 'Some stamps may be expertly repaired'. This meant they use Liquid Paper to painted over a badly thinned stamp. When this became well known, they switched to tiny little backside images which made it harder to see their 'expert repairs'.

Given that you recommend them, what you tell people who purchased these stamps (or thousands of other just like these)?
Don

Again "Know your stamps" is the answer here.
I have seen very few stamps (intentionally) misdescribed in my area of expertise (booklets). Someone happened to (start to) collect in the same area, so I recommended them to him (he had already bought from NYStamps at that time, actually) and explained the pitfalls of NYStamps lots and what to look for. Fortunately common $5-$20 booklets and panes, often in 99c NYStamp lots, are "relatively safe".

I'd definitely not recommend anyone to buy expensive classic stamps on ebay (from anyone), unless they can recognize the "cheats of the trade". People who think they can buy $500 stamps for $1.99 on ebay are a constant problem, as well as people trying to sell fudged stamps as "bargains".

While this is generally true, sometimes people with serious knowledge in a specialty can do so. Not very often, but it can happen.

And then there some people who think they can sell a stamp worth $1.99 on ebay for $500, but they aren't a constant problem - only funny.

They aren't a problem... but they are constant.

I agree that there are people with different experience levels; whether it be experience with the material or experience with buying online/online sellers. Both areas of experience are quite important when making buying decisions.

For me, the context is our community audience. And our community is made up by FAR more less experienced hobbyists than those who post here regularly. So I feel it is important to provide online buying decision information with the assumption that the majority of community does not have significant experience with the potential pitfalls that come with making these decisions.

If less experienced hobbyists have this information in hand but choose to ignore the cautions needed when buying from 'shovelware' sellers, then so be it.
Don

Then again I've bought the same stamp off ebay for $30 which catalogs for $8000+ twice within two weeks from the same seller.

Sorry, all are stamps and all have a limited group with an interest in the material and the willingness and ability to pay for the material. Stamps priced at "only" $5.00 are still too rich for some collectors. As prices rise, they become too rich for more and more collectors, hence "interest in owning" drops off.




Without putting to fine of point on it, I will simply reply, "Doubtful" as Eric has been a revenue professional for the same period of time, 53 years.

As I stated above, he is not the only one. Which was my point, not whether I am more knowledgeable or not then Eric. However I do feel that perhaps I know the revenue market a bit better then you do at this point.

I have to wonder what it would be like now if NYStamps (NYS) had a reputation as an accurate describer with fair and complete descriptions and good quality images. Would they be more successful based upon revenue or would it be a wash. I think maybe a wash. There would be less customers because the prices would be up and the dreamers that think they scored a $5000 stamp for $20 would not exist. AND NYS would actually have to pay up for the better material in the first place. NYS does not exist in a vacuum and their reputation does precede them in many cases. No, the current business model likely suits them just fine. So, a few knowledgeable collectors make a score once in a while. Meh.

It has suited them fine for many years now.

From a past interaction with NYS when buying country lots, they handle a lot of consignment material. Get a collection from someone, break is down, identify, and sell. I see their business model driven by volume.

That is correct, except for the word "identify", which is something they only sort of do.

"They aren't a problem... but they are constant."

They are a problem. Not only do they clog up the listings, but they influence newbies and inheritors into thinking common stuff is worth a fortune. You tell someone with a common as dirt 1c or 2c Washington that it is not worth anything and they accuse you of being a crook and then bad mouth the hobby.