Buying Stamps Online For Your Collection: Some Stamp Purchasing Tips
Many stamp collectors build their collections by purchasing stamps online. After all, it’s easy and convenient, and prices are often better. Are you thinking about joining them and buying stamps for your collection on the Internet? If you’ve never done it, you might be a little lost on how to go about it. Here are a few guidelines that should help you pursue what can become an exciting avenue to add new material to your collection.
Tip Number 1: Read the complete description and thoroughly study any and all pictures that are available. Carefully consider these vital pieces of information about every stamp you're interested in.
How else could you learn pertinent details about a stamp such as its gum condition (never hinged, lightly hinged, hinge remnant, etc.), centering, perforation condition, and any faults (thins, tears, creases or bends)? You’re not in a stamp shop and you don't have the stamp itself right in front of you.
Tip Number 2: Find one or more online stamp dealers that you trust, and then stick with them.
It might take some trial and error to find them, but many reputable stamp dealers have websites. One tipoff that indicates whether a dealer is trustworthy is the type of descriptions and stamp images the dealer’s website furnishes. Good stamp dealers will post thorough and accurate descriptions and provide high-resolution images that accurately portray their stamps. They also provide superior customer service by responding quickly to any questions you might have, acknowledging your order and your payment, and letting you know when your stamp order has been shipped.
Try to build an ongoing relationship with this type of stamp dealer. You'll be able to trust the accuracy of their descriptions and pictures, and if you buy from them repeatedly, you just might get more favorable prices as well.
Tip Number 3: When in doubt, ask questions before buying.
This will actually serve two purposes. The first, of course, is to receive the answer to your question before you send your money. For example, you can avoid an unpleasant surprise about a stamp’s condition by asking about it before you buy. A reputable stamp dealer will always answer your questions honestly, even if it means losing a sale.
Tip Number 1: Read the complete description and thoroughly study any and all pictures that are available. Carefully consider these vital pieces of information about every stamp you're interested in.
How else could you learn pertinent details about a stamp such as its gum condition (never hinged, lightly hinged, hinge remnant, etc.), centering, perforation condition, and any faults (thins, tears, creases or bends)? You’re not in a stamp shop and you don't have the stamp itself right in front of you.
Tip Number 2: Find one or more online stamp dealers that you trust, and then stick with them.
It might take some trial and error to find them, but many reputable stamp dealers have websites. One tipoff that indicates whether a dealer is trustworthy is the type of descriptions and stamp images the dealer’s website furnishes. Good stamp dealers will post thorough and accurate descriptions and provide high-resolution images that accurately portray their stamps. They also provide superior customer service by responding quickly to any questions you might have, acknowledging your order and your payment, and letting you know when your stamp order has been shipped.
Try to build an ongoing relationship with this type of stamp dealer. You'll be able to trust the accuracy of their descriptions and pictures, and if you buy from them repeatedly, you just might get more favorable prices as well.
Tip Number 3: When in doubt, ask questions before buying.
This will actually serve two purposes. The first, of course, is to receive the answer to your question before you send your money. For example, you can avoid an unpleasant surprise about a stamp’s condition by asking about it before you buy. A reputable stamp dealer will always answer your questions honestly, even if it means losing a sale.
You can also ask questions for a second reason: to determine how responsive a particular dealer is. A good online stamp dealer will respond quickly, professionally and as thoroughly as possible. However, some stamp dealers may not respond at all, may take an undue amount of time to reply, or otherwise not provide good customer service.
Keep the first type (the good stamp dealers) on your short list of stamp sources. Don't bother ordering from the unresponsive ones.
Tip Number 4: When you find good online stamp dealers, don’t abuse them.
Recognize that good online stamp dealers are worth their weight in gold to your stamp collection. By definition, they're trustworthy and reliable stamps sources. But in addition to those golden qualities, they will often go out of their way for you. Don't abuse this valuable relationship.
Keep the first type (the good stamp dealers) on your short list of stamp sources. Don't bother ordering from the unresponsive ones.
Tip Number 4: When you find good online stamp dealers, don’t abuse them.
Recognize that good online stamp dealers are worth their weight in gold to your stamp collection. By definition, they're trustworthy and reliable stamps sources. But in addition to those golden qualities, they will often go out of their way for you. Don't abuse this valuable relationship.
Follow these tips and you’ll be on the right path to an exciting new way to add stamps to your collection.
