Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
What is the true meaning of a pulled perf?
Thanks in advance,
Luree
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With stamps condition is everything. One of the things we like to see are that all of the perforation teeth are there and healthy.
A pulled perf, or missing perf is when a perforation tooth has been shorn off. Here is an example.
What should be the third tooth down from the top is missing, and all that is left is a little torn tab of paper.
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OH, How easy was that! Thank you so much for the lesson. Appreciate it. 
one more question, does it diminish the value of a stamp that much?
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To answer your question: Yes, having pulled perfs reduces the monetary value of a stamp (of course stamps have many dimensions of value). A stamp with a pulled perf is a faulty stamp and is therefore woth signficatly less that a stamp that is otherwise the same but has all its perfs.
Edit: I do know how to spell dimensions. Really.
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Thanks again for your reply. That is my something new learned for the day.
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I do know how to spell dimensions. Really
sure you do
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Question to all:
I'd be interested in knowing by what percentage you'd knock off the price (whether as a buyer or as a seller) for a pulled perf?
-- Dave
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Usually I knock 50% off for one or two pulled perfs for an unused stamp; 75% for used. I'll drop it 75% for unused going up to 90% (for used) if there are more than two pulled perfs. If it's a minimal value stamp, or the perfs are too bad, I usually won't even sell it.
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"Usually I knock 50% off for one or two pulled perfs for an unused stamp; 75% for used."
That is pretty much on the mark for my experience as well.
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Bob is so reassuring. 
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"Usually I knock 50% off for one or two pulled perfs for an unused stamp; 75% for used. I'll drop it 75% for unused going up to 90% (for used) if there are more than two pulled perfs. "
What I read is that if the stamp would sell at $10 in perfect condition used or unused, you'd sell an unused one with pulled perfs for $5 and a used one with pulled perfs for $2.50? Maybe I'm reading your reply incorrectly Michael but why would you discount a stamp more if it is used than unused because of pulled perfs?
Peter
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I've wondered what exactly constitutes a pulled perf as well. The example that's illustrated is obvious, but it seems to me that grey area stamps exist as well...maybe they're "shortened perts," but if that 's so, when does a shortened perf become pulled. Also it seems to me that allowances are made for early material. Stamps from say the Pictorials and prior seem to be given more leeway than those afterward, and certainly 20th century material. Or I could be wrong.
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Partial perforation teeth are often called "nibbed" perfs or "nibbled" perfs. These are also faults in the stamp.
For the most part they reduce the value of the stamp, even of classic stamps. There are exceptions, such as when the Scott catalog states in the revenue stamp section that their grading allows for some minor faults.
In the original picture, the fourth perforation tooth from the top going down is nibbled (reduced in size from the normal perf teeth).
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To smauggie and michael78651, I'm curious what you would deduct for some of the other common flaws: thin, hinge remnant, crease, tear, repaired tear, faded, etc. I'm aware tear=filler most of the time. I guess if a stamp has all of the above, you'd have to pay to give it away. 
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Stamp dealers and auction houses seem to do a ready business in selling faulty stamps that would otherwise have a high catalog value ($100+). If I find a low-value stamp with a fault it goins in the faulty bin (which gets used for crafty stuff, when I am feeling crafty).
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Peter, I use different pricing models based on whether a stamp is MNH, unused, or used. That is because demand is greater for MNH stamps than for used.
To clarify, the discount I give for any damaged stamp is above the discount that I use to price a stamp in sound condition. If I discount a sound, used stamp 50%, and it is damaged, I will discount it and additional percentage. (For example: Used stamp catalogs for $10.00. 50% discount = $5.00. Small damage like a pulled perf another 50% off = $2.50 my net price. The total discount is 75% from the catalog value.) For most stamps, regardless of MNH, unused, or used, if they have major damage, I reduce the catalog value by 90% (sometimes 95%).
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That's good to know, Mr. Numbers, but why take such a haircut?!?
You find a US 356 with a pulled perf, a light crease, a thin, AND a hinge remnant - I will gladly pay you 20% of CV!
Lars
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12:25:19pm
Larsdog: There are exceptions to every "rule".
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"Larsdog: There are exceptions to every "rule"."
Well, shucks!
A guy can dream, can't he? 
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That's why I started my reply with "Usually".
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"That's why I started my reply with "Usually"."
Yes, and I was being facetious, but I was hinting at a significant point: There are some "big dogs" that command "big dog" prices even with multiple flaws. For US collectors, the most common issues would be #2, #39, and #122 in definitives. For Commemoratives, it's the high dollar Columbians and Trans-Mississippi issues (241-245 and 292-293). There are a few other 19th Century stamps, especially BOB items, that also retain a premium with flaws. Significantly damaged stamps that would be thrown in the trash if the CV were lower sell for 20 to 25% of CV!
Obviously sellers already know this, but if you are a buyer, like me, it behooves you to check prices as much as you can on big purchases. I usually track selling prices on an item in multiple venues for several months before placing my first bid so I know a good deal when I see one. Rarely I will score a good deal by being high bidder in an auction, but more frequently I will notice a BUY-IT-NOW that is a bit underpriced and JUMP on it!
Saving a nickle here and a dime there, but throwing away $20 or more on a major purchase, is silly. I get the small stuff from the most convenient place and spend my time researching the big dogs!
Lars
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APS #222602 and Internet Philatelic Dealers Association #439
03 Mar 2014
08:40:29am
I know this sounds like an extremely basic question, but it is a phrase I've heard over and over. I've looked it up at Wikipedia and found nothing, looked in the Scotts catalog and not found it (or at least my eyes were not letting me see it). So I thought now is a good time to turn to the experts and have you teach this rookie.
What is the true meaning of a pulled perf?
Thanks in advance,
Luree
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this post
re: What is a "pulled perf"?
With stamps condition is everything. One of the things we like to see are that all of the perforation teeth are there and healthy.
A pulled perf, or missing perf is when a perforation tooth has been shorn off. Here is an example.
What should be the third tooth down from the top is missing, and all that is left is a little torn tab of paper.
Login to Like
this post
APS #222602 and Internet Philatelic Dealers Association #439
03 Mar 2014
11:02:11am
re: What is a "pulled perf"?
OH, How easy was that! Thank you so much for the lesson. Appreciate it.
one more question, does it diminish the value of a stamp that much?
Login to Like
this post
re: What is a "pulled perf"?
To answer your question: Yes, having pulled perfs reduces the monetary value of a stamp (of course stamps have many dimensions of value). A stamp with a pulled perf is a faulty stamp and is therefore woth signficatly less that a stamp that is otherwise the same but has all its perfs.
Edit: I do know how to spell dimensions. Really.
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this post
APS #222602 and Internet Philatelic Dealers Association #439
03 Mar 2014
05:23:23pm
re: What is a "pulled perf"?
Thanks again for your reply. That is my something new learned for the day.
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06:53:27pm
re: What is a "pulled perf"?
I do know how to spell dimensions. Really
sure you do
1 Member
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re: What is a "pulled perf"?
Question to all:
I'd be interested in knowing by what percentage you'd knock off the price (whether as a buyer or as a seller) for a pulled perf?
-- Dave
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this post
07:24:46pm
re: What is a "pulled perf"?
Usually I knock 50% off for one or two pulled perfs for an unused stamp; 75% for used. I'll drop it 75% for unused going up to 90% (for used) if there are more than two pulled perfs. If it's a minimal value stamp, or the perfs are too bad, I usually won't even sell it.
Login to Like
this post
re: What is a "pulled perf"?
"Usually I knock 50% off for one or two pulled perfs for an unused stamp; 75% for used."
That is pretty much on the mark for my experience as well.
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this post
re: What is a "pulled perf"?
Bob is so reassuring.
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09:28:59pm
re: What is a "pulled perf"?
"Usually I knock 50% off for one or two pulled perfs for an unused stamp; 75% for used. I'll drop it 75% for unused going up to 90% (for used) if there are more than two pulled perfs. "
What I read is that if the stamp would sell at $10 in perfect condition used or unused, you'd sell an unused one with pulled perfs for $5 and a used one with pulled perfs for $2.50? Maybe I'm reading your reply incorrectly Michael but why would you discount a stamp more if it is used than unused because of pulled perfs?
Peter
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11:01:36pm
re: What is a "pulled perf"?
I've wondered what exactly constitutes a pulled perf as well. The example that's illustrated is obvious, but it seems to me that grey area stamps exist as well...maybe they're "shortened perts," but if that 's so, when does a shortened perf become pulled. Also it seems to me that allowances are made for early material. Stamps from say the Pictorials and prior seem to be given more leeway than those afterward, and certainly 20th century material. Or I could be wrong.
Login to Like
this post
re: What is a "pulled perf"?
Partial perforation teeth are often called "nibbed" perfs or "nibbled" perfs. These are also faults in the stamp.
For the most part they reduce the value of the stamp, even of classic stamps. There are exceptions, such as when the Scott catalog states in the revenue stamp section that their grading allows for some minor faults.
In the original picture, the fourth perforation tooth from the top going down is nibbled (reduced in size from the normal perf teeth).
Login to Like
this post
re: What is a "pulled perf"?
To smauggie and michael78651, I'm curious what you would deduct for some of the other common flaws: thin, hinge remnant, crease, tear, repaired tear, faded, etc. I'm aware tear=filler most of the time. I guess if a stamp has all of the above, you'd have to pay to give it away.
Login to Like
this post
re: What is a "pulled perf"?
Stamp dealers and auction houses seem to do a ready business in selling faulty stamps that would otherwise have a high catalog value ($100+). If I find a low-value stamp with a fault it goins in the faulty bin (which gets used for crafty stuff, when I am feeling crafty).
Login to Like
this post
09:07:34pm
re: What is a "pulled perf"?
Peter, I use different pricing models based on whether a stamp is MNH, unused, or used. That is because demand is greater for MNH stamps than for used.
To clarify, the discount I give for any damaged stamp is above the discount that I use to price a stamp in sound condition. If I discount a sound, used stamp 50%, and it is damaged, I will discount it and additional percentage. (For example: Used stamp catalogs for $10.00. 50% discount = $5.00. Small damage like a pulled perf another 50% off = $2.50 my net price. The total discount is 75% from the catalog value.) For most stamps, regardless of MNH, unused, or used, if they have major damage, I reduce the catalog value by 90% (sometimes 95%).
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this post
re: What is a "pulled perf"?
That's good to know, Mr. Numbers, but why take such a haircut?!?
You find a US 356 with a pulled perf, a light crease, a thin, AND a hinge remnant - I will gladly pay you 20% of CV!
Lars
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BuckaCover.com - 80,000 covers priced 60c to $1.50 - Easy browsing 500 categories
08 Mar 2014
12:25:19pm
re: What is a "pulled perf"?
Larsdog: There are exceptions to every "rule".
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re: What is a "pulled perf"?
"Larsdog: There are exceptions to every "rule"."
Well, shucks!
A guy can dream, can't he? Login to Like
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09:52:43pm
re: What is a "pulled perf"?
That's why I started my reply with "Usually".
Login to Like
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re: What is a "pulled perf"?
"That's why I started my reply with "Usually"."
Yes, and I was being facetious, but I was hinting at a significant point: There are some "big dogs" that command "big dog" prices even with multiple flaws. For US collectors, the most common issues would be #2, #39, and #122 in definitives. For Commemoratives, it's the high dollar Columbians and Trans-Mississippi issues (241-245 and 292-293). There are a few other 19th Century stamps, especially BOB items, that also retain a premium with flaws. Significantly damaged stamps that would be thrown in the trash if the CV were lower sell for 20 to 25% of CV!
Obviously sellers already know this, but if you are a buyer, like me, it behooves you to check prices as much as you can on big purchases. I usually track selling prices on an item in multiple venues for several months before placing my first bid so I know a good deal when I see one. Rarely I will score a good deal by being high bidder in an auction, but more frequently I will notice a BUY-IT-NOW that is a bit underpriced and JUMP on it!
Saving a nickle here and a dime there, but throwing away $20 or more on a major purchase, is silly. I get the small stuff from the most convenient place and spend my time researching the big dogs!
Lars
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