Not a bad idea Steve, as Approval usage has deviated from what was initially conceived, and almost all sales occur in the very few days (hours) after a book has been activated. Now, I only look at "New Books" when I search the Approval platform.
Curious how many sellers are seing sales in older books nowadays.
You are right that there seems to be a lot of books being produced, typically with 100 items, many worldwide, typically common stamps and typically in no order whatsoever. After looking at one or two, I could not be bothered!
Not surprisingly, most of these show zero sales, so maybe finally the market (as Ian would remind us) is responding to this drift to mediocrity that we have left the Approval Books to drift into. I also noticed that FDC books don't do well which does not surprise me given Roy's BuckaCover.com web site with its amazing range of covers at reasonable prices and well organized for searching.
I must add, that there are Books that are gems, and they seem to be rewarded by good sales figures.
Still awaiting some new rules, if any, as promised by Musicman. This could be a modification to consider, should anyone be listening.
rrr...
I have given up on listing normal Approval Books at the moment.
It just doesn't justify the time and effort.
I will only produce Large Books when or if I have sufficient material.
I can not beleive I am even suggesting this. As an approval book seller - I first did not like the Closing Soon rules when they first came out. As has been noted many times before the majority of the sales from an approval book happen the first couple of days a new book is posted then they tend to sit around with maybe an occasional buyer who comes along and takes a stamp or two. I started taking down books on my own even before they reach the closing soon threshold. I have noticed a failry large increase in the number of total books available lately. Is it time to reduce the number of days a book should remain open with no sales from 60 days to 45 days ? Then the 15 day rule after a book is closing soon be paired down to 10 days. As I said I can not beleive I am even thinking this now because I liked keeping my books open longer at first but now - I prefer to close them out. I either hold the stamps to create a new book in the future or sell the stamps in my other selling platform or just donate the leftovers. I know there are other sellers who will disagree with this - just thought I throw it out there "jump ball" ! Steve
re: Closing Soon Rule
Not a bad idea Steve, as Approval usage has deviated from what was initially conceived, and almost all sales occur in the very few days (hours) after a book has been activated. Now, I only look at "New Books" when I search the Approval platform.
Curious how many sellers are seing sales in older books nowadays.
You are right that there seems to be a lot of books being produced, typically with 100 items, many worldwide, typically common stamps and typically in no order whatsoever. After looking at one or two, I could not be bothered!
Not surprisingly, most of these show zero sales, so maybe finally the market (as Ian would remind us) is responding to this drift to mediocrity that we have left the Approval Books to drift into. I also noticed that FDC books don't do well which does not surprise me given Roy's BuckaCover.com web site with its amazing range of covers at reasonable prices and well organized for searching.
I must add, that there are Books that are gems, and they seem to be rewarded by good sales figures.
Still awaiting some new rules, if any, as promised by Musicman. This could be a modification to consider, should anyone be listening.
rrr...
re: Closing Soon Rule
I have given up on listing normal Approval Books at the moment.
It just doesn't justify the time and effort.
I will only produce Large Books when or if I have sufficient material.