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General Philatelic/Gen. Discussion : Stamp purchasing practices !

 

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philb
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25 Nov 2016
02:53:22pm

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Heres how i roll, for the VAST majority of stamps for my worldwide collections probably like most people on Stamporama i look for the most economical combination of list price and shipping for the item..so i am averaging around 35 percent of what scott says. But not always, sometimes i feel like having fun instead of strictly business...lets say i see a stamp that will complete a page...total cost to me would be twice scott..but it satisfies me and in the scheme of things or the long run...it does not make any difference !
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rjan
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25 Nov 2016
08:24:44pm
re: Stamp purchasing practices !

Yeah I duplicate your general 35% rule. Shipping costs for online purchases and car mileage costs to a few local shows add to the target 1/3 cat pricing. I have a few select areas, such as Spanish colonies reasonably centered, which I will go significantly highe. The glory of worldwide collecting (even when limited through 1968) is that there is always a weak vacant section ready for acquisition. I rarely overpay my guidelines. I also have some active trading with local contacts which really dilutes the price and puts my prior accumulations to good use.

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philb
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25 Nov 2016
09:18:47pm

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re: Stamp purchasing practices !

Oh man if i counted the mileage and the hours going to stamp bourses..the cost of a stamp would be astronomical..i can not look at it that way since i travel for most entertainmnt. My wife buys a bunch of stamps or covers on the internet from a specific dealer so the cost of postage is really minimal.

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Strider
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26 Nov 2016
07:25:46am
re: Stamp purchasing practices !

This is only loosely related to the topic, but I can't see where else to put it!

I'm facing a decision - the urge to open a new country collection has hit me! Or would I do better to concentrate more on the countries I already collect - there are 8 of them! With some, I'm left with only the high cost items to get, and there are also a couple of countries where I still have lots of readily affordable stamps to look for. Inner voices say grow up and concentrate on those gaps - they're not all beyond your means!

But the itch for the new is hard to resist. I'm thinking of Ireland (before the republic in 1948) or perhaps one of the Central American countries. This is because some time ago I bought a Gibbons Central America catalogue which I've never used! Maybe one of the smaller countries. And I need a defined period - I can't handle open-ended collecting. I suppose if I go for Cuba I could focus on the issues of the Castro years, after the news today. But on the whole I think Ireland would be better because I really like those issues of the 30s and 40s, and the stamps will be easier to find here in UK.

Or am I heading for a shelf of incomplete and undistinguished collections with none of the hard to get or more expensive items?

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BenFranklin1902
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Tom in Exton, PA

26 Nov 2016
09:02:18am
re: Stamp purchasing practices !

"I'm facing a decision - the urge to open a new country collection has hit me! Or would I do better to concentrate more on the countries I already collect "



The correct answer: "Do whatever your heart desires!" Seriously, why over think it? Why discipline yourself to do anything? It sounds like you have several ideas of countries and areas you'd like to start collecting. Why not? It will be fun, interesting and new! Go for it. Discovery of new things is fun! It will make you happy.

The argument for staying your course and forcing yourself to concentrate on what you already are collecting is like, "Should I go to the stamp show, or stay home and rake leaves?"

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musicman
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APS #213005

26 Nov 2016
09:57:34am
re: Stamp purchasing practices !

If I stuck with the very few areas I started with until I neared completion with finding and purchasing those high-value/hard-to-find items to finish off each area of interest,
my collecting days would have stagnated a long time ago!

I say go for it, Neville!

You can still continue to pick up the occasional high value items for your original 8 while you are gathering the low value, easy to come by stamps needed to start a fresh collecting area.

I would suggest a Central American country - many are neglected nowadays and start-up stamps for them can be had for quite cheap......just my own opinion.


Whatever you decide, pick whatever sounds the most fun!

Happy Stampin'!





Randy

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Ningpo
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26 Nov 2016
10:02:50am
re: Stamp purchasing practices !

"Or am I heading for a shelf of incomplete and undistinguished collections with none of the hard to get or more expensive items?"



Yes. Just like the countries you've mentioned.

Perhaps you should ask yourself, "Would I have more sense of achievement enhancing my current collection?".

Starting other collections will thin your finances even further and then make it impossible to add significantly to those eight. Then there might be the need to embark on a steep learning curve, with any new ventures.

If you haven't done so already, you might consider adding postal history to your core collection. This might ignite more interest, which perhaps has ebbed of late.



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TribalErnie

26 Nov 2016
10:04:24am
re: Stamp purchasing practices !

There's very valid arguments for both directions.

It boils down to collection vs. accumulation.

Obviously, the final analysis is that you should do what you want and what makes you happy but since you're even posing the question it leads me to believe that you'd really like to move some of your current collections forward. I say bite the bullet and purchase one of the more desired items for one your current collecting areas. The satisfaction gained from gazing down at the completed set and/or page will be immeasurable.

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philb
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26 Nov 2016
10:07:12am

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re: Stamp purchasing practices !

Strider, in stamps i can not resist a bargain...at my stamp club i am often picking up partial country collections that someone has lost interest in..something you might look at if you have access to a club or other collectors.

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philb
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26 Nov 2016
10:08:24am

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re: Stamp purchasing practices !

Ernie i would have to label myself accumulator 55 percent..collector 45 percent!Happy

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TribalErnie

26 Nov 2016
10:35:53am
re: Stamp purchasing practices !

Ain't nothin' wrong with that Phil! You're always putting up interesting covers.

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ikeyPikey
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26 Nov 2016
10:48:51am
re: Stamp purchasing practices !

Strider:

I am partial to the airmail stamps of Central America ... you might consider taking a slice out of those countries (airmail, postage due, topicals, semi-postals, etc), rather than a single country.

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey

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bobgggg

Past President Cortlandt Stamp Club

26 Nov 2016
01:35:20pm
re: Stamp purchasing practices !

I am partial to the airmail stamps of Central America

That's all they Issue.....


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bobgggg

Past President Cortlandt Stamp Club

26 Nov 2016
01:43:29pm
re: Stamp purchasing practices !

OK lets see how the mathematics works, Went to the White Plains show today.. Picked up Swiss semi postals, and Yugoslavia complete sets.. total catalog value 630.75 Paid 185 bucks ( after a little bickering ) Gas 9.40 coffee Mickey D's 1.00 total spent 195.40

percent to catalog value 31 percent..that works for me Hurry Up

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Poodle_Mum
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26 Nov 2016
03:51:12pm
re: Stamp purchasing practices !

I had a limited collection - Germany - all eras and occupations and States, Imperial Russian and USSR, Nova Scotia and a few other Canadian provinces. I had a British Royalty collection that is pretty much done.

I've had Canadian stamps accumulating for years on end so last year I decided to go ahead and put them into order.

I figured that was all.
I love the history that each German and USSR stamp represents. Researching the events depicted gives me great joy but with a few exceptions the "stamps" part of those are pretty much complete.

Just happened across some 1943 Scott albums and I've always had an itch to collect worldwide but was overwhelmed with the thought of where to start and end. I didn't want every stamp ever issued but I also didn't want a mishmash from every country. These albums have given me the chance to start a world collection which has a definite beginning and end. There may be some countries listed that may never get filled - who knows? But I took the leap because I know it's going to be exciting.

So, if you've got an itch, my advice is to scratch it. It can only bring you more joy and happiness in your collection.

Kelly

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philb
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26 Nov 2016
05:33:38pm

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re: Stamp purchasing practices !

Bobgggg were there many stamp dealers ? You must have bought a load of Yugo and Swiss for that money.

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bobgggg

Past President Cortlandt Stamp Club

26 Nov 2016
06:32:34pm
re: Stamp purchasing practices !

Phil...all 4 stamp dealers were in attendance..along with the mad Russian who sells stamps , comic books and ww2 stuff..

Hey some of those swiss semi's have some high cat values (used )

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philb
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26 Nov 2016
07:35:23pm

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re: Stamp purchasing practices !

Did you pick up any loaves of fresh baked bread where you park ? The mad russian thats probably Leon still dealing in Nazi memorabilia.

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carlberky
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15 Dec 2016
01:15:09pm
re: Stamp purchasing practices !

As a teen, my sister got me interested in collecting. If it were cheap enough and was in my world-wide album, I'd buy it.

In my mid 20's, after serving in the military, I decided to specialize in only US unused, well-centered stamps. At that time, I bought only from dealer catalogs, and even offered a 10% premium for the best available. (Duh, what can I say ... I wasn't married then!)

I stopped collecting for a number of years. As a newly married man with a low paying job, I struggled to make my $125 a month mortgage payment (taxes, principal and interest!), and had better use for the money. (Got married in 1960.)

Later, with more disposable income, I resumed collecting, and gradually ... very gradually ... was able to build the collection (with a lot of help from EBay) into a catalog value of nearly $100,000.

Sorry if this turned into a mini-autobiography.


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philb
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16 Dec 2016
10:00:24am

Auctions
re: Stamp purchasing practices !

i can relate Carl, the kids always got first draw on any income..we had 3 children very close together so they were in college at the same time and like my wife says we had a fleet (5) of cars. Stamp collecting does require disposable income..many folks had it and more power to them.

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BenFranklin1902
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Tom in Exton, PA

16 Dec 2016
11:20:32am
re: Stamp purchasing practices !

But there are folks who don't understand that hobby purchases come only after all family obligations are met!

I see this in the model car hobby. There was one guy who had no job and had lost the family home and had moved in with relatives. His wife was working two low paying jobs while this goon sat home bidding on eBay! He'd do brag posts on the message boards showing the stuff he had won!


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ChrisW
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APS# 175366

16 Dec 2016
02:28:10pm
re: Stamp purchasing practices !

This is why so many of us took a long break from collecting during college and their first 10 or 20 years of their career. Big Grin

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"Collecting worldwide classic era stamps"
carabop

16 Dec 2016
11:30:11pm
re: Stamp purchasing practices !

I agree Chris. I just in the last couple of years have had the $ to get stamps. Always the family obligations came first. I am very much enjoying my stamps now. Being semi-retired give me quite a bit of time for stamps.

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philb

25 Nov 2016
02:53:22pm

Auctions

Heres how i roll, for the VAST majority of stamps for my worldwide collections probably like most people on Stamporama i look for the most economical combination of list price and shipping for the item..so i am averaging around 35 percent of what scott says. But not always, sometimes i feel like having fun instead of strictly business...lets say i see a stamp that will complete a page...total cost to me would be twice scott..but it satisfies me and in the scheme of things or the long run...it does not make any difference !

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"And every hair is measured like every grain of sand"
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rjan

25 Nov 2016
08:24:44pm

re: Stamp purchasing practices !

Yeah I duplicate your general 35% rule. Shipping costs for online purchases and car mileage costs to a few local shows add to the target 1/3 cat pricing. I have a few select areas, such as Spanish colonies reasonably centered, which I will go significantly highe. The glory of worldwide collecting (even when limited through 1968) is that there is always a weak vacant section ready for acquisition. I rarely overpay my guidelines. I also have some active trading with local contacts which really dilutes the price and puts my prior accumulations to good use.

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this post
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philb

25 Nov 2016
09:18:47pm

Auctions

re: Stamp purchasing practices !

Oh man if i counted the mileage and the hours going to stamp bourses..the cost of a stamp would be astronomical..i can not look at it that way since i travel for most entertainmnt. My wife buys a bunch of stamps or covers on the internet from a specific dealer so the cost of postage is really minimal.

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this post

"And every hair is measured like every grain of sand"
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Strider

26 Nov 2016
07:25:46am

re: Stamp purchasing practices !

This is only loosely related to the topic, but I can't see where else to put it!

I'm facing a decision - the urge to open a new country collection has hit me! Or would I do better to concentrate more on the countries I already collect - there are 8 of them! With some, I'm left with only the high cost items to get, and there are also a couple of countries where I still have lots of readily affordable stamps to look for. Inner voices say grow up and concentrate on those gaps - they're not all beyond your means!

But the itch for the new is hard to resist. I'm thinking of Ireland (before the republic in 1948) or perhaps one of the Central American countries. This is because some time ago I bought a Gibbons Central America catalogue which I've never used! Maybe one of the smaller countries. And I need a defined period - I can't handle open-ended collecting. I suppose if I go for Cuba I could focus on the issues of the Castro years, after the news today. But on the whole I think Ireland would be better because I really like those issues of the 30s and 40s, and the stamps will be easier to find here in UK.

Or am I heading for a shelf of incomplete and undistinguished collections with none of the hard to get or more expensive items?

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BenFranklin1902

Tom in Exton, PA
26 Nov 2016
09:02:18am

re: Stamp purchasing practices !

"I'm facing a decision - the urge to open a new country collection has hit me! Or would I do better to concentrate more on the countries I already collect "



The correct answer: "Do whatever your heart desires!" Seriously, why over think it? Why discipline yourself to do anything? It sounds like you have several ideas of countries and areas you'd like to start collecting. Why not? It will be fun, interesting and new! Go for it. Discovery of new things is fun! It will make you happy.

The argument for staying your course and forcing yourself to concentrate on what you already are collecting is like, "Should I go to the stamp show, or stay home and rake leaves?"

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Check out my eBay Stuff! Username Turtles-Trading-Post"
Members Picture
musicman

APS #213005
26 Nov 2016
09:57:34am

re: Stamp purchasing practices !

If I stuck with the very few areas I started with until I neared completion with finding and purchasing those high-value/hard-to-find items to finish off each area of interest,
my collecting days would have stagnated a long time ago!

I say go for it, Neville!

You can still continue to pick up the occasional high value items for your original 8 while you are gathering the low value, easy to come by stamps needed to start a fresh collecting area.

I would suggest a Central American country - many are neglected nowadays and start-up stamps for them can be had for quite cheap......just my own opinion.


Whatever you decide, pick whatever sounds the most fun!

Happy Stampin'!





Randy

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Ningpo

26 Nov 2016
10:02:50am

re: Stamp purchasing practices !

"Or am I heading for a shelf of incomplete and undistinguished collections with none of the hard to get or more expensive items?"



Yes. Just like the countries you've mentioned.

Perhaps you should ask yourself, "Would I have more sense of achievement enhancing my current collection?".

Starting other collections will thin your finances even further and then make it impossible to add significantly to those eight. Then there might be the need to embark on a steep learning curve, with any new ventures.

If you haven't done so already, you might consider adding postal history to your core collection. This might ignite more interest, which perhaps has ebbed of late.



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TribalErnie

26 Nov 2016
10:04:24am

re: Stamp purchasing practices !

There's very valid arguments for both directions.

It boils down to collection vs. accumulation.

Obviously, the final analysis is that you should do what you want and what makes you happy but since you're even posing the question it leads me to believe that you'd really like to move some of your current collections forward. I say bite the bullet and purchase one of the more desired items for one your current collecting areas. The satisfaction gained from gazing down at the completed set and/or page will be immeasurable.

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this post
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philb

26 Nov 2016
10:07:12am

Auctions

re: Stamp purchasing practices !

Strider, in stamps i can not resist a bargain...at my stamp club i am often picking up partial country collections that someone has lost interest in..something you might look at if you have access to a club or other collectors.

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"And every hair is measured like every grain of sand"
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philb

26 Nov 2016
10:08:24am

Auctions

re: Stamp purchasing practices !

Ernie i would have to label myself accumulator 55 percent..collector 45 percent!Happy

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"And every hair is measured like every grain of sand"
TribalErnie

26 Nov 2016
10:35:53am

re: Stamp purchasing practices !

Ain't nothin' wrong with that Phil! You're always putting up interesting covers.

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ikeyPikey

26 Nov 2016
10:48:51am

re: Stamp purchasing practices !

Strider:

I am partial to the airmail stamps of Central America ... you might consider taking a slice out of those countries (airmail, postage due, topicals, semi-postals, etc), rather than a single country.

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey

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"I collect stamps today precisely the way I collected stamps when I was ten years old."
bobgggg

Past President Cortlandt Stamp Club

26 Nov 2016
01:35:20pm

re: Stamp purchasing practices !

I am partial to the airmail stamps of Central America

That's all they Issue.....


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bobgggg

Past President Cortlandt Stamp Club

26 Nov 2016
01:43:29pm

re: Stamp purchasing practices !

OK lets see how the mathematics works, Went to the White Plains show today.. Picked up Swiss semi postals, and Yugoslavia complete sets.. total catalog value 630.75 Paid 185 bucks ( after a little bickering ) Gas 9.40 coffee Mickey D's 1.00 total spent 195.40

percent to catalog value 31 percent..that works for me Hurry Up

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26 Nov 2016
03:51:12pm

re: Stamp purchasing practices !

I had a limited collection - Germany - all eras and occupations and States, Imperial Russian and USSR, Nova Scotia and a few other Canadian provinces. I had a British Royalty collection that is pretty much done.

I've had Canadian stamps accumulating for years on end so last year I decided to go ahead and put them into order.

I figured that was all.
I love the history that each German and USSR stamp represents. Researching the events depicted gives me great joy but with a few exceptions the "stamps" part of those are pretty much complete.

Just happened across some 1943 Scott albums and I've always had an itch to collect worldwide but was overwhelmed with the thought of where to start and end. I didn't want every stamp ever issued but I also didn't want a mishmash from every country. These albums have given me the chance to start a world collection which has a definite beginning and end. There may be some countries listed that may never get filled - who knows? But I took the leap because I know it's going to be exciting.

So, if you've got an itch, my advice is to scratch it. It can only bring you more joy and happiness in your collection.

Kelly

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philb

26 Nov 2016
05:33:38pm

Auctions

re: Stamp purchasing practices !

Bobgggg were there many stamp dealers ? You must have bought a load of Yugo and Swiss for that money.

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"And every hair is measured like every grain of sand"
bobgggg

Past President Cortlandt Stamp Club

26 Nov 2016
06:32:34pm

re: Stamp purchasing practices !

Phil...all 4 stamp dealers were in attendance..along with the mad Russian who sells stamps , comic books and ww2 stuff..

Hey some of those swiss semi's have some high cat values (used )

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philb

26 Nov 2016
07:35:23pm

Auctions

re: Stamp purchasing practices !

Did you pick up any loaves of fresh baked bread where you park ? The mad russian thats probably Leon still dealing in Nazi memorabilia.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"And every hair is measured like every grain of sand"
Members Picture
carlberky

15 Dec 2016
01:15:09pm

re: Stamp purchasing practices !

As a teen, my sister got me interested in collecting. If it were cheap enough and was in my world-wide album, I'd buy it.

In my mid 20's, after serving in the military, I decided to specialize in only US unused, well-centered stamps. At that time, I bought only from dealer catalogs, and even offered a 10% premium for the best available. (Duh, what can I say ... I wasn't married then!)

I stopped collecting for a number of years. As a newly married man with a low paying job, I struggled to make my $125 a month mortgage payment (taxes, principal and interest!), and had better use for the money. (Got married in 1960.)

Later, with more disposable income, I resumed collecting, and gradually ... very gradually ... was able to build the collection (with a lot of help from EBay) into a catalog value of nearly $100,000.

Sorry if this turned into a mini-autobiography.


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"To paraphrase, Life is but a bird, and the bird of Life is on the wing. Hurry up ... Life is waiting."
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philb

16 Dec 2016
10:00:24am

Auctions

re: Stamp purchasing practices !

i can relate Carl, the kids always got first draw on any income..we had 3 children very close together so they were in college at the same time and like my wife says we had a fleet (5) of cars. Stamp collecting does require disposable income..many folks had it and more power to them.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"And every hair is measured like every grain of sand"
Members Picture
BenFranklin1902

Tom in Exton, PA
16 Dec 2016
11:20:32am

re: Stamp purchasing practices !

But there are folks who don't understand that hobby purchases come only after all family obligations are met!

I see this in the model car hobby. There was one guy who had no job and had lost the family home and had moved in with relatives. His wife was working two low paying jobs while this goon sat home bidding on eBay! He'd do brag posts on the message boards showing the stuff he had won!


Like
Login to Like
this post

"Check out my eBay Stuff! Username Turtles-Trading-Post"
Members Picture
ChrisW

APS# 175366
16 Dec 2016
02:28:10pm

re: Stamp purchasing practices !

This is why so many of us took a long break from collecting during college and their first 10 or 20 years of their career. Big Grin

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Collecting worldwide classic era stamps"
carabop

16 Dec 2016
11:30:11pm

re: Stamp purchasing practices !

I agree Chris. I just in the last couple of years have had the $ to get stamps. Always the family obligations came first. I am very much enjoying my stamps now. Being semi-retired give me quite a bit of time for stamps.

Like
Login to Like
this post
        

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