Hi Wayne, There is no right or wrong answer here. You really have to understand the material, and then present it in the clearest, most transparent and honest way. As a dealer of nearing 25 years, I've tried just about everything (especially with on-line sales). Sometimes, you have to be patient. When you know you've got a high quality issue, it may be tempting to let it go "for less", and sometimes you might, depending on your own financial position at that time. Sometimes you take a hit... you let something go for less than you paid for it. But hopefully through high integrity, and a bit of grit you keep swinging.
One key is material turnover. And don't go trying to get premiums for damaged stamps and get depressed because "no one buys them". The market is a strange beast of it's own, and I've seen the tides come and go. (8 years ago, I couldn't give 4th issue revenue and stock transfer away, now I can't keep hold of it).
20 years ago Columbians were hot as and now they seem to be everywhere, and everyone wants a premium for something that just isn't in demand unless it IS a premium stamp.
The lower the value the material, the better likelihood it is to sell in a "lot" (don't say "set", set is a specific philatelic term, and I think in your context you mean "lot"). Set's encompass the entire category. So for "Regular issue postage stamps" in US you don't have the "Set" unless you have everything from Scott #1 to Scott #5483 (according to 2021 book, it would grow every year). On the other hand, if you own the F1 Registration stamp, then you own the set. (Also true for the FA1 Certified Mail stamp).
Getting the terminology right may seem trivial, but this too will add to your credibility as a dealer, and that is another element. This business is all about trust. If you list damaged items as premiums, then... the market will vote with their wallet.
Another thing to think about is are you selling only to the US or are you trying to also sell internationally? What Scotts classifies as a set is not the same as how cats like Michel, Stanley, and other define as a set. Scott's has this thing about putting together sets that are issued over many years and combine them into a single set, as my folks did handle a lot of Germany we also had the Michel cat and they often for example the space and technology set which came out over many years are listed as a number of complete sets depending on the date of issue. Marshall Islands for the 50th Anniversary of WWII put out a set of over 100 stamps that came out in 11 different parts. When we were selling internationally I would depending on the lot I got in, would if the sets were complete in Scott's they would be set up that way first, then complete parts and then singles. (We would remove the damaged or hinged items that had been missed in those sets) The other thing about selling the parts that were issued over many years, you had collectors that would buy new issues and miss some of the parts of the sets. They will sell 3 ways, it just depends on what the buyer is looking for.
Great advice - hope others read your comments about using the word “sets” in selling. I will be targeting US buyers only and presenting “singles” and “lot” doubles that I have acquired. Also, stamps that are purchased will be clean (no tears, folds, hinge clean, etc.) to the buyer and placed in glassine envelopes. Any profit I receive I will use for purchasing new stamps, albums, etc.!
One other thing. When you set up your "sets" don't mix your them MNH, unused hinged and used. Those don't sell very well at all. (I have seen sellers try to do that and those often end up in their remainder or discount lots in the end because they didn't sell them that way.)
I find that singles, especially fine used singles, sell better since a great many buyers have no intention of buying a set of say 10 stamps if they only need one to complete the set. On the other hand you might find that the Key issues of your sets disappear quickly and you are left with the less desirable items.
Topical collectors & exhibitors tend to only want one or to stamps out of a full set, although as both of those, I've bought complete sets just to get the stamps I need (and listing the rest as singles).
Comments
There is no right or wrong answer here. You really have to understand the material, and then present it in the clearest, most transparent and honest way. As a dealer of nearing 25 years, I've tried just about everything (especially with on-line sales).
Sometimes, you have to be patient. When you know you've got a high quality issue, it may be tempting to let it go "for less", and sometimes you might, depending on your own financial position at that time. Sometimes you take a hit... you let something go for less than you paid for it. But hopefully through high integrity, and a bit of grit you keep swinging.
One key is material turnover. And don't go trying to get premiums for damaged stamps and get depressed because "no one buys them". The market is a strange beast of it's own, and I've seen the tides come and go. (8 years ago, I couldn't give 4th issue revenue and stock transfer away, now I can't keep hold of it).
20 years ago Columbians were hot as and now they seem to be everywhere, and everyone wants a premium for something that just isn't in demand unless it IS a premium stamp.
The lower the value the material, the better likelihood it is to sell in a "lot" (don't say "set", set is a specific philatelic term, and I think in your context you mean "lot"). Set's encompass the entire category. So for "Regular issue postage stamps" in US you don't have the "Set" unless you have everything from Scott #1 to Scott #5483 (according to 2021 book, it would grow every year). On the other hand, if you own the F1 Registration stamp, then you own the set. (Also true for the FA1 Certified Mail stamp).
Getting the terminology right may seem trivial, but this too will add to your credibility as a dealer, and that is another element. This business is all about trust. If you list damaged items as premiums, then... the market will vote with their wallet.
years are listed as a number of complete sets depending on the date of issue. Marshall Islands for the 50th Anniversary of WWII put out a set of over 100 stamps that came out in 11 different parts. When we were selling internationally I would depending on the lot I got in, would if the sets were complete in Scott's they would be set up that way first, then complete
parts and then singles. (We would remove the damaged or hinged items that had been missed in those sets) The other thing about selling the parts that were issued over many years, you had collectors that would buy new issues and miss some of the parts of the sets. They will sell 3 ways, it just depends on what the buyer is looking for.
Also, stamps that are purchased will be clean (no tears, folds, hinge clean, etc.) to the buyer and placed in glassine envelopes. Any profit I receive I will use for purchasing new stamps, albums, etc.!