Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Thanks Michael.
Best Regards,
Ralph
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Yes, thank you Michael. I found this very informative and made a copy to include with my collections for those who will end up with my stamps.
Cheers,
Peter
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I know it is only a number but if we follow Scott, all of the common stuff in our collections have increased 25% in value since they went to 25 cents for a minimum catalog value. If my family reads the Scott catalog and sees this I might have to be extra careful. The boxes full of common stamps that I sell to a dealer for $5 per pound are becoming like small bags of gold. I wish those values were relevant when I sell.
Jack (stampmanjack)
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The introduction to the Scott catralog states that the minimum value relates only to a dealer's cost of selling such a stamp., It does not relate to the true "value" of the stamp. Minimum value stamps are worth considerably less, especially when sold in lots.
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Hi Michael,
I like the approach taken by Facit who have an "M" as a minimum price indicator in their catalogues.
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Well said, Michael. I'll bet the majority of non-collectors wouldn't read the catalogs beyond just looking at values (might even apply to some stamp collectors too). When people bring in stamp collections / accumulations to our local show, most of the time they are disappointed because they think what they have is valuable. Would you mind if I print out your article as a reference for our club show? Sally
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Sally, please do so. I am glad that you think it will help others. Thank you.
Nigel - Good idea. I'll add that to my list of things to do when I buy Scott.
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12:46:10pm
As I have mentioned in many posts here and elsewhere much of the confusion could be dispelled if we used the word "LISTING" instead of VALUE when referring to the catalog listing.
"Value" should only refer to what a buyer is willing to provide a seller, either wholesale or retail.
There is an item in our auction that is identified with Scott Catalog value of $20.00 with a starting bud of about $2.00. That may be its listing, in comparison to other stamps from that country in that era and in the defined condition, but its value will likely be just a little over $2.00 depending on how excited it makes a buyer or two.
All it would take is a few determined collectors to start a trend and it would occur, just as we choose to describe a postally cancelled stamp as "USED" and not recently "MINT"
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I know that catalog is not a true value. I am a part time dealer and I buy at 10% of Scott or less and sell at 30 - 50% but when I am buying or selling, I like to know the Scott value as it gives me a reference point. Quite often, I price a collection or lot for resale by multiplying the number of stamps by te minimum catalog value after taking a quick look through it. I figure that that compensates for those stamps worth less than minimum and those worth more. It is a rough figure but it seems to work for me and I can not take/do not have the time to catalog everything. Catalog also seems to make an acceptable method of trading as long as both parties use the same catalog. I grant that some countries are over priced and some under priced and there is some speculation. It makes some problems when I trade overseas as each trader wants to use is catalog but it generally works.
Jack
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02:51:07pm
You have a perfectly valid system, Jack, especially as it works well for you and your customers.
My point is that many newbies are confused when they see a "value" listed and do not understand that it is merely a comparative listing.
Obviously you do.
However I would have tried to write the same sentences thusly;
" .... I know that catalog is not a true value. I am a part time dealer and I buy at 10% of Scott or less and sell at 30 - 50% but when I am buying or selling, I like to know the Scott listing as it gives me a reference point. Quite often, I price a collection or lot for resale by multiplying the number of stamps by the minimum catalog listing after taking a quick look through it. I figure that that compensates for those stamps worth less than minimum and those worth more. It is a rough figure but it seems to work for me and I can not take/do not have the time to catalog everything. ....."
Of course due to ingrained habits, plus the desire on the part of sellers, in general, to imply that what they are selling is really worth much more (Wink, wink) but they just want to give the buyer a great bargain because of his good looks, so I am sure my idea has about as much chance of surviving as the proverbial snowball rolling along the Equator, but I like to promote it anyway.
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People have frozen to death on the equator, Charlie.
Some of them may have been stamp collectors.
John Derry
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" the proverbial snowball rolling along the Equator,"
In 58 years, I have never heard this expression. But, then, I'm always the proverbial last one to know.
Tedski
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SOR member Michael Generali has published a new article for our site: The Value of a Stamp Collection - An Opinion. This is certainly a topic that never grows old here at StampoRama! In this article Michael brings in his many years of experience as a member of the American Philatelic Society (APS) Estate Advisory Service to bring a unique perspective to the table.
Thanks Michael.
Best Regards,
Ralph
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06:48:35am
re: The Value of a Stamp Collection
Yes, thank you Michael. I found this very informative and made a copy to include with my collections for those who will end up with my stamps.
Cheers,
Peter
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02:09:17am
re: The Value of a Stamp Collection
I know it is only a number but if we follow Scott, all of the common stuff in our collections have increased 25% in value since they went to 25 cents for a minimum catalog value. If my family reads the Scott catalog and sees this I might have to be extra careful. The boxes full of common stamps that I sell to a dealer for $5 per pound are becoming like small bags of gold. I wish those values were relevant when I sell.
Jack (stampmanjack)
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03:16:29am
re: The Value of a Stamp Collection
The introduction to the Scott catralog states that the minimum value relates only to a dealer's cost of selling such a stamp., It does not relate to the true "value" of the stamp. Minimum value stamps are worth considerably less, especially when sold in lots.
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re: The Value of a Stamp Collection
Hi Michael,
I like the approach taken by Facit who have an "M" as a minimum price indicator in their catalogues.
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re: The Value of a Stamp Collection
Well said, Michael. I'll bet the majority of non-collectors wouldn't read the catalogs beyond just looking at values (might even apply to some stamp collectors too). When people bring in stamp collections / accumulations to our local show, most of the time they are disappointed because they think what they have is valuable. Would you mind if I print out your article as a reference for our club show? Sally
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11:29:04am
re: The Value of a Stamp Collection
Sally, please do so. I am glad that you think it will help others. Thank you.
Nigel - Good idea. I'll add that to my list of things to do when I buy Scott.
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
02 Jun 2013
12:46:10pm
re: The Value of a Stamp Collection
As I have mentioned in many posts here and elsewhere much of the confusion could be dispelled if we used the word "LISTING" instead of VALUE when referring to the catalog listing.
"Value" should only refer to what a buyer is willing to provide a seller, either wholesale or retail.
There is an item in our auction that is identified with Scott Catalog value of $20.00 with a starting bud of about $2.00. That may be its listing, in comparison to other stamps from that country in that era and in the defined condition, but its value will likely be just a little over $2.00 depending on how excited it makes a buyer or two.
All it would take is a few determined collectors to start a trend and it would occur, just as we choose to describe a postally cancelled stamp as "USED" and not recently "MINT"
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09:53:03pm
re: The Value of a Stamp Collection
I know that catalog is not a true value. I am a part time dealer and I buy at 10% of Scott or less and sell at 30 - 50% but when I am buying or selling, I like to know the Scott value as it gives me a reference point. Quite often, I price a collection or lot for resale by multiplying the number of stamps by te minimum catalog value after taking a quick look through it. I figure that that compensates for those stamps worth less than minimum and those worth more. It is a rough figure but it seems to work for me and I can not take/do not have the time to catalog everything. Catalog also seems to make an acceptable method of trading as long as both parties use the same catalog. I grant that some countries are over priced and some under priced and there is some speculation. It makes some problems when I trade overseas as each trader wants to use is catalog but it generally works.
Jack
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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
04 Jun 2013
02:51:07pm
re: The Value of a Stamp Collection
You have a perfectly valid system, Jack, especially as it works well for you and your customers.
My point is that many newbies are confused when they see a "value" listed and do not understand that it is merely a comparative listing.
Obviously you do.
However I would have tried to write the same sentences thusly;
" .... I know that catalog is not a true value. I am a part time dealer and I buy at 10% of Scott or less and sell at 30 - 50% but when I am buying or selling, I like to know the Scott listing as it gives me a reference point. Quite often, I price a collection or lot for resale by multiplying the number of stamps by the minimum catalog listing after taking a quick look through it. I figure that that compensates for those stamps worth less than minimum and those worth more. It is a rough figure but it seems to work for me and I can not take/do not have the time to catalog everything. ....."
Of course due to ingrained habits, plus the desire on the part of sellers, in general, to imply that what they are selling is really worth much more (Wink, wink) but they just want to give the buyer a great bargain because of his good looks, so I am sure my idea has about as much chance of surviving as the proverbial snowball rolling along the Equator, but I like to promote it anyway.
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The past is a foreign country, they do things different there.
04 Jun 2013
04:08:05pm
re: The Value of a Stamp Collection
People have frozen to death on the equator, Charlie.
Some of them may have been stamp collectors.
John Derry
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re: The Value of a Stamp Collection
" the proverbial snowball rolling along the Equator,"
In 58 years, I have never heard this expression. But, then, I'm always the proverbial last one to know.
Tedski
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