collecting stamps for fundraising... questions...

[darklisruthven]

As always thinking of fundraising for the theatre group, and it has been suggested that we get our members collecting up their used stamps. I understand that other charities sell these bags of stamps for fundraising, and since we have a store on ebid, it seems like a good idea!

What I need to know is, how do you list the stamps? I mean, there will be all sorts, common, special issue, UK, foreign, what-have-you all mixed up. What category would you list them? what kind of price and weight per bag? Is there any special super-secret stamp collector terminology we need to know for good keyword listings?

and while thinking of that, I know some charities collect things like bottle tops and things in a similar way? what about the collectors of those?

[Armstrongs]

This page from RNIB might help:

http://www.rnib.org.uk/getinvolved/f...ed_stamps.aspx

Yvonne x

[darklisruthven]

okies, so what terminology would we use for our listings / (I have run into the fact before that stamp collectors have their own secret language as to collecting and throw an awful hissy if you don't know their terminology and simply use lay-person language instead, so I am paranoid) . Do you reckon "[X weight] bag of mixed stamps including UK and foreign" would be ok, with a photo looking into the top of the bag when full?

[madelaine]

It is usually more effective in terms of time to sell into the trade. You are looking for people who want to buy kiloware.

[darklisruthven]

umm, how do I do that?

[MelmacALF]

Out of interest, how do used stamps make money,if its sacks of very common stamps it cant be to collectors, so what else are they used for ?

[billsstamps]

As always thinking of fundraising for the theatre group, and it has been suggested that we get our members collecting up their used stamps. I understand that other charities sell these bags of stamps for fundraising, and since we have a store on ebid, it seems like a good idea!

What I need to know is, how do you list the stamps? I mean, there will be all sorts, common, special issue, UK, foreign, what-have-you all mixed up. What category would you list them? what kind of price and weight per bag? Is there any special super-secret stamp collector terminology we need to know for good keyword listings?

and while thinking of that, I know some charities collect things like bottle tops and things in a similar way? what about the collectors of those?

I think that you should list as naively as you can. People hate professional sellers and dealers who cream off the best stamps.

Say the weight of what you have collected, and that you haven't a clue about the value of stamps, and this is exactly as it comes.
A tempting guide price is less than 0.6p per stamp including postage. You call it charity kiloware.

[madelaine]

umm, how do I do that?

google is your friend

You won't get great money for them but I think you may find it time effective

Kiloware is where stamp dealers get their fresh stock

The first used copies of a new stamp make the best money

When my father had a stamp shop we always had sheets of paper with damp stamps EVERYWHERE!

[gbsbks2010]

When I first started collecting stamps, I used to buy kiloware. I then exchanged the stamps with other collectors from other countries. I would send 50 GB stamps and get 50 Australian stamps in return for example. It was a great way to keep new stamps coming my way.

[darklisruthven]

I am quite happy to list in "layperson terms", but I did this once before and had an awful bustup with someone on scambay who was absolutely livid that I was not using "professional" terms and details like measurements of the frills on the stamps on listings... I have some stamps from when i was a kid and someone tried to get me collecting them, up for sale, (HERE) and to be honest I am petrified, it was a horrible experience back then, and with this idea being for my theatre group I am even more worried. Hence trying to hypercheck.