Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
This is the lowest number I can remember in eight years.
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08:20:38am
There's been a couple mornings lately where the "new lots" haven't even filled a page of 30. I don't think I've seen that very often before!
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Harvey you said
"haven't even filled a page of 30"
Is that the page size you have set yourself?
I have mine set at 100.
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Also, what's being offered is mostly minimum value modern issues.
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rickben2
It is "holiday" time so one expects it to drop off slightly and I take your point re modern issues.
There are only between 25 to 30 members who list in the auctions which is disappointing considering there are 400+ members.
Why not list some yourself? Have you any duplicates of what you collect of the Classic Era?
You may be surprised at the response.
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Ian my old SOR auctions became w/w books. I found that the number of lots I sold via auction were not all that great and I did not want to get back into relisting the same lots over and over as I do with the US. Once a book closes, I just move the contents to auction elsewhere and if they don't sell then to a store. I have found in doing this i sell more in the w/w book than I was when these same stamps were put up for auction. The ones that sold only got one bid anyway.
It's all about exposure and I think that those that list at auctions in other places than here, are doing so because of that. Yes, fees are paid elsewhere but you are reaching more people. I have seen that with the US that I removed from my weekly listings. They had been listed here for 26 weeks with no sale, and now even though there are at times dozens of the same stamp for sale, they are starting to sell.
Greg
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Greg:-
"It's all about exposure "
Aye. You're right.
Its not just the number of buyers its also the number of sellers. Choice is needed.
Of course increasing the number of Members is the key.
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This thread began with Ian's observation that the number of auction lots is "the lowest number I can remember in eight years."
Yet philatelia suggest we "Shut down the diarrhea in the auction". I suggest that more lots at auction would be better. If you are are an advanced collector and are missing only scarcer items then many offerings may be "common junk" to you, but if you are still building your collection you may be happy to see missing material on offer at reasonable prices.
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hfbaker
"I suggest that more lots at auction would be better."
Well Said!
If every member who hasn't listed any items in the auction just listed 10 lots that would increase the choice by 4000. If they listed 20 lots that would be an increase of 8000 lots.
Especially those that advertise their selling on other platforms like hipstamp, colnect, ebay etc etc actually listed some items here it would be an encouragement.
EDIT
Those that are advanced collectors should be encouraged to list some of their duplicates.
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This thread has been split, moving 1 posts onto a new Thread titled:"I’ve been quietly watching from the sideline"
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I have opened a new topic about Approvals and Auctions.
rrr...
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Ian:
"The current number of lots up for auction is 3702.
This is the lowest number I can remember in eight years."
It is worse that that:
"TOTAL AUCTION LOTS:
(an auction lot can appear in more than one Category) 3326"
But if is any consolation, New Approval Books were also down last month.
Seasonality superimposed on declining trends?
rrr...
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A reduction is expected during holiday season but from 5000+ down to 3500 approx.
What is possibly worse is that 1800 of these lots are from 2 sellers (One of which has only sold 3 items in the last 60 days)
Its trying to persuade/encourage members to list items for sale.
We have a saying in Old Caledonia "If you don't use it....you lose it!"
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I was going to post to Philatelia that it's not an airport, no need for a departure announcement.
For the record, I've listed auctions and approvals in the past with terrible results, which isn't conducive to ongoing listing. Also, it seems that most members want everything for nothing. I'm a collector and a dealer, and I won't give stuff away. I'm a member of the PTS and IPDA and I have expenses!
That aside, I've listed a handful of items, let's see what happens.
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"I'm a collector and a dealer, and I won't give stuff away. I'm a member of the PTS and IPDA and I have expenses!"
Well said Dave and I agree with your perception of what people look for BUT even cheap is not good enough I think. I have pages for sale at the cost of a forever stamp and they truly are unchecked, or at least left intact as I pulled them out of the pile. On one is a stamp that cats at $8.50. along with another on the page that cats at $2.25. It certainly could be that no one wants to even look at these. I get that, but I for one would plunk down 66 cents or what ever the PO deems a letter should cost (I don't agree with them so I have no idea what a forever stamp costs. I don't use them) if the page contained one or two stamps I could use. From the look of the interest, this will be a once and done thing after the 30 day period is up, and I will try this concept elsewhere maybe with two pages for a buck plus the postage and handling fee and see how it shakes out. I didn't go with the 2 for a dollar here only because I did not think any collector would find two of interest. Maybe I'm wrong on that.
Personally I believe it will get worse numbers wise when all those people get their 1099K's from Paypal at the end of the year. I'm used to that but a lot of folks are not, and it may cause them to rethink selling here, either not selling at all, or not taking Paypal. I have pushed hard to get paid by check and a few people do it, but for the most part - no. I face a different issue come 2024 which is called "The RMD". My wife wants me to give up selling all together as my sales simply get taxed at a different rate,due to pushing us higher up in the food chain so to speak once the RMD kicks in, so how much am I actually seeing from a sale? Not very much. I love selling things to people but I absolutely hate paying taxes that can be avoided. I am pretty sure I will be dropping Paypal as a payment option except for international customers who I will create a new paypal account for them to pay with and let them know by a PM. My auctions are only for a widow whose husband was a US dealer and I still have tons of her collection - except US buying has also dried up. I may discontinue those auctions as I did with my US and put the stamps into indexed books. My dues come up in May I think and by then I will know if it is still sensible to remain a seller here. Who can see the future? Not me!
Greg
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@Greg,
Just in case you haven't received the email that I sent out to all current members this afternoon, you made a reference to your membership dues coming up next May. As of July 24, 2023 we don't have membership dues anymore. See David's announcement in the "Coming Changes" thread.
Regards ... Tim
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This thread has been split, moving 1 posts onto a new Thread titled:"Poll: Sellers and advertising outside SOR"
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At the start of this thread I bemoaned the fact that the number of items for sale was the lowest I had seen at 3702 in August 2023
Well we now have the lowest number of items listed ever in the Auctions at 2328.
"We have a saying in Old Caledonia "If you don't use it....you lose it!""
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I would think that the percentage of lots sold is a better indicator of the success of the platform than the number of lots on offer. Anecdotally I've bought more and have seen more items with multiple bids in the last 6 months than at any time I've used the platform. Having large numbers of lots on offer that nobody wants doesn't seem desirable.
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I have not been listing any new approval books lately due to the Canada Postal strike. I can't seem to justify selling a bunch of stamps that I am unable to send through the post. And don't get me started on Courier fees.
I have several customers with a backlog of unshipped stamps numbering in the hundreds which just becomes a logistical and bookkeeping nightmare. So once our Posties are back at work I will have some new books ready to go.
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"I have not been listing any new approval books lately due to the Canada Postal strike"
Dennis,
I have no problem buying stamps from you while the strike is on. I can wait until the strike is over to get my purchases through the post. It will be something to look forward to in the new year
Regards,
John
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03:12:31pm
I feel the same way Dennis! But, if the seller is not totally organized, it might be one heck of a job to keep the sales organized! For example I collect (accumulate) Disney stamps and just bought well over 100 from a seller here. I just paid for them and am hoping he puts them away until after the strike. I'm also hoping he is organized enough to keep them straight. I can be tough at times! Good luck and I hope all this is over soon!!
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04:32:13am
Approvals
The current number of lots up for auction is 3702.
This is the lowest number I can remember in eight years.
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This is my diabetic cat OBI! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
29 Aug 2023
08:20:38am
re: No of Auction Lots
There's been a couple mornings lately where the "new lots" haven't even filled a page of 30. I don't think I've seen that very often before!
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08:54:41am
Approvals
re: No of Auction Lots
Harvey you said
"haven't even filled a page of 30"
Is that the page size you have set yourself?
I have mine set at 100.
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re: No of Auction Lots
Also, what's being offered is mostly minimum value modern issues.
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10:37:49am
Approvals
re: No of Auction Lots
rickben2
It is "holiday" time so one expects it to drop off slightly and I take your point re modern issues.
There are only between 25 to 30 members who list in the auctions which is disappointing considering there are 400+ members.
Why not list some yourself? Have you any duplicates of what you collect of the Classic Era?
You may be surprised at the response.
2 Members
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Approvals
re: No of Auction Lots
Ian my old SOR auctions became w/w books. I found that the number of lots I sold via auction were not all that great and I did not want to get back into relisting the same lots over and over as I do with the US. Once a book closes, I just move the contents to auction elsewhere and if they don't sell then to a store. I have found in doing this i sell more in the w/w book than I was when these same stamps were put up for auction. The ones that sold only got one bid anyway.
It's all about exposure and I think that those that list at auctions in other places than here, are doing so because of that. Yes, fees are paid elsewhere but you are reaching more people. I have seen that with the US that I removed from my weekly listings. They had been listed here for 26 weeks with no sale, and now even though there are at times dozens of the same stamp for sale, they are starting to sell.
Greg
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02:59:45pm
Approvals
re: No of Auction Lots
Greg:-
"It's all about exposure "
Aye. You're right.
Its not just the number of buyers its also the number of sellers. Choice is needed.
Of course increasing the number of Members is the key.
1 Member
likes this post.
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re: No of Auction Lots
This thread began with Ian's observation that the number of auction lots is "the lowest number I can remember in eight years."
Yet philatelia suggest we "Shut down the diarrhea in the auction". I suggest that more lots at auction would be better. If you are are an advanced collector and are missing only scarcer items then many offerings may be "common junk" to you, but if you are still building your collection you may be happy to see missing material on offer at reasonable prices.
9 Members
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10:13:28am
Approvals
re: No of Auction Lots
hfbaker
"I suggest that more lots at auction would be better."
Well Said!
If every member who hasn't listed any items in the auction just listed 10 lots that would increase the choice by 4000. If they listed 20 lots that would be an increase of 8000 lots.
Especially those that advertise their selling on other platforms like hipstamp, colnect, ebay etc etc actually listed some items here it would be an encouragement.
EDIT
Those that are advanced collectors should be encouraged to list some of their duplicates.
8 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
re: No of Auction Lots
This thread has been split, moving 1 posts onto a new Thread titled:"I’ve been quietly watching from the sideline"
Login to Like
this post
re: No of Auction Lots
I have opened a new topic about Approvals and Auctions.
rrr...
Login to Like
this post
re: No of Auction Lots
Ian:
"The current number of lots up for auction is 3702.
This is the lowest number I can remember in eight years."
It is worse that that:
"TOTAL AUCTION LOTS:
(an auction lot can appear in more than one Category) 3326"
But if is any consolation, New Approval Books were also down last month.
Seasonality superimposed on declining trends?
rrr...
Login to Like
this post
08:21:28pm
Approvals
re: No of Auction Lots
A reduction is expected during holiday season but from 5000+ down to 3500 approx.
What is possibly worse is that 1800 of these lots are from 2 sellers (One of which has only sold 3 items in the last 60 days)
Its trying to persuade/encourage members to list items for sale.
We have a saying in Old Caledonia "If you don't use it....you lose it!"
Login to Like
this post
re: No of Auction Lots
I was going to post to Philatelia that it's not an airport, no need for a departure announcement.
For the record, I've listed auctions and approvals in the past with terrible results, which isn't conducive to ongoing listing. Also, it seems that most members want everything for nothing. I'm a collector and a dealer, and I won't give stuff away. I'm a member of the PTS and IPDA and I have expenses!
That aside, I've listed a handful of items, let's see what happens.
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.
Approvals
re: No of Auction Lots
"I'm a collector and a dealer, and I won't give stuff away. I'm a member of the PTS and IPDA and I have expenses!"
Well said Dave and I agree with your perception of what people look for BUT even cheap is not good enough I think. I have pages for sale at the cost of a forever stamp and they truly are unchecked, or at least left intact as I pulled them out of the pile. On one is a stamp that cats at $8.50. along with another on the page that cats at $2.25. It certainly could be that no one wants to even look at these. I get that, but I for one would plunk down 66 cents or what ever the PO deems a letter should cost (I don't agree with them so I have no idea what a forever stamp costs. I don't use them) if the page contained one or two stamps I could use. From the look of the interest, this will be a once and done thing after the 30 day period is up, and I will try this concept elsewhere maybe with two pages for a buck plus the postage and handling fee and see how it shakes out. I didn't go with the 2 for a dollar here only because I did not think any collector would find two of interest. Maybe I'm wrong on that.
Personally I believe it will get worse numbers wise when all those people get their 1099K's from Paypal at the end of the year. I'm used to that but a lot of folks are not, and it may cause them to rethink selling here, either not selling at all, or not taking Paypal. I have pushed hard to get paid by check and a few people do it, but for the most part - no. I face a different issue come 2024 which is called "The RMD". My wife wants me to give up selling all together as my sales simply get taxed at a different rate,due to pushing us higher up in the food chain so to speak once the RMD kicks in, so how much am I actually seeing from a sale? Not very much. I love selling things to people but I absolutely hate paying taxes that can be avoided. I am pretty sure I will be dropping Paypal as a payment option except for international customers who I will create a new paypal account for them to pay with and let them know by a PM. My auctions are only for a widow whose husband was a US dealer and I still have tons of her collection - except US buying has also dried up. I may discontinue those auctions as I did with my US and put the stamps into indexed books. My dues come up in May I think and by then I will know if it is still sensible to remain a seller here. Who can see the future? Not me!
Greg
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re: No of Auction Lots
@Greg,
Just in case you haven't received the email that I sent out to all current members this afternoon, you made a reference to your membership dues coming up next May. As of July 24, 2023 we don't have membership dues anymore. See David's announcement in the "Coming Changes" thread.
Regards ... Tim
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re: No of Auction Lots
This thread has been split, moving 1 posts onto a new Thread titled:"Poll: Sellers and advertising outside SOR"
Login to Like
this post
10:57:45am
Approvals
re: No of Auction Lots
At the start of this thread I bemoaned the fact that the number of items for sale was the lowest I had seen at 3702 in August 2023
Well we now have the lowest number of items listed ever in the Auctions at 2328.
"We have a saying in Old Caledonia "If you don't use it....you lose it!""
Login to Like
this post
re: No of Auction Lots
I would think that the percentage of lots sold is a better indicator of the success of the platform than the number of lots on offer. Anecdotally I've bought more and have seen more items with multiple bids in the last 6 months than at any time I've used the platform. Having large numbers of lots on offer that nobody wants doesn't seem desirable.
1 Member
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Auctions - Approvals
re: No of Auction Lots
I have not been listing any new approval books lately due to the Canada Postal strike. I can't seem to justify selling a bunch of stamps that I am unable to send through the post. And don't get me started on Courier fees.
I have several customers with a backlog of unshipped stamps numbering in the hundreds which just becomes a logistical and bookkeeping nightmare. So once our Posties are back at work I will have some new books ready to go.
Login to Like
this post
re: No of Auction Lots
"I have not been listing any new approval books lately due to the Canada Postal strike"
Dennis,
I have no problem buying stamps from you while the strike is on. I can wait until the strike is over to get my purchases through the post. It will be something to look forward to in the new year
Regards,
John
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This is my diabetic cat OBI! I think, therefore I am - I think! Descartes, sort of!
14 Dec 2024
03:12:31pm
re: No of Auction Lots
I feel the same way Dennis! But, if the seller is not totally organized, it might be one heck of a job to keep the sales organized! For example I collect (accumulate) Disney stamps and just bought well over 100 from a seller here. I just paid for them and am hoping he puts them away until after the strike. I'm also hoping he is organized enough to keep them straight. I can be tough at times! Good luck and I hope all this is over soon!!
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