What about eBay Auctions?

I have been active on eBay as a seller since 1996. It is rather interesting to see what transpires regarding auctions. I would say that most listings are really not auctions in the fact that only 1-2 bidders are active on a given item. This allows the buyers to "pick up" bargains on many medium to higher priced items.

I am sure that the buyers pride themselves in the fact that they got a real BARGAIN!

Well, stamp dealers are individuals who attempt to make a living at supplying collectors with stamps to add to their collection. When situations such as eBay exist, buyers will continue to get BARGAINS and dealers will continue to make little or no money on sales. The net result will be that those dealers will go out of business. Of course, they may be replaced by a few more dealers who have not figured out that you cannot sell material at very low prices and survive.

This situation has existed for a long time before eBay and I am sure will continue. However, collectors and buyers must remember - - that what goes around will come around again. Meaning, that when you go to sell all of the material that you have purchased at eBay BARGAINS do not expect to sell them to another dealer at high prices. Low selling prices generate LOW buying prices. You may have a lot more material that was purchased at above the eBay prices that you wish to sell. They will be bought at the lower prices.

Stamp buyers or collectors should remember that a stamp dealer(seller) is their only source of material. They should support his efforts and allow him to make a reasonable profit and living.

Please read my blog entitled The Golden Rule.

Have a good day and enjoy your collecting!