The Shrinking World of the Stamp Collector (2012) • Hacker News Board

Re: The Shrinking World of the Stamp Collector (2012)

#11

Post by Scoundreller » Wed, Apr 10, 2019, 5:39 AM UTC

The funny thing is that I buy unused stamps off EBay. Some recent deals I got were for about 43 cents on the dollar. But usually they go for 50-60% of face.

Been doing this for the last 15 years with no real change in pricing (which really means a loss every year).

Mostly 30-50 cent stamps (this is Canada). But ranging from 8c to $2.5

I use the smaller ones on regular envelopes. Usually I have some $1 or $2 stamps to make up any balance on packages (or just buy it from the post office).

It’s quite a bit of extra profit when I sell stuff.

Though my packages probably look a little... Unabombery.

I’m sure the receivers get a little laugh when their package arrives covered in stamps.

Re: The Shrinking World of the Stamp Collector (2012)

#12

Post by anonymous5133 » Wed, Apr 10, 2019, 5:45 AM UTC

lithiumhead wrote: post #6

This story is 6.5 years old. Wonder how that store is doing now

Still in business apparently. They seem to sell themselves as NYC's only stamp store. Based on the yelp reviews...it appears their biggest customers are women looking to buy vintage stamps for wedding invitations lol

https://www.yelp.com/biz/champion-stamp-co-new-york

Re: The Shrinking World of the Stamp Collector (2012)

#13

Post by anonymous5133 » Wed, Apr 10, 2019, 5:47 AM UTC

Scoundreller wrote: post #11

The funny thing is that I buy unused stamps off EBay. Some recent deals I got were for about 43 cents on the dollar. But usually they go for 50-60% of face. Been doing this for the last 15 years with no real change in pricing (which really means a loss every year). Mostly 30-50 cent stamps (this is Canada). But ranging from 8c to $2.5 I use the smaller ones on regular envelopes. Usually I have some $1 or $2 stamps to…

haha, I do the exact same thing but only for buying first class stamps.

Re: The Shrinking World of the Stamp Collector (2012)

#14

Post by jacquesm » Wed, Apr 10, 2019, 6:00 AM UTC

GuiA wrote: post #4

Vinyls, film cameras, typewriters, camper vans, and other objects which have been superseded by the ever turning wheels of progress have known notable regains of interest lately. I wouldn’t be surprised if Urban Outfitters started selling vintage stamp collections.

Camper vans are on the rise.

Re: The Shrinking World of the Stamp Collector (2012)

#15

Post by Symbiote » Wed, Apr 10, 2019, 6:19 AM UTC

anonymous5133 wrote: post #13

Scoundreller wrote: post #11

The funny thing is that I buy unused stamps off EBay. Some recent deals I got were for about 43 cents on the dollar. But usually they go for 50-60% of face. Been doing this for the last 15 years with no real change in pricing (which really means a loss every year). Mostly 30-50 cent stamps (this is Canada). But ranging from 8c to $2.5 I use the smaller ones on regular envelopes. Usually I have some $1 or $2 stamps to…

haha, I do the exact same thing but only for buying first class stamps.

In the UK, this is generally fraudulent – the stamps aren't really unused, they just weren't franked properly, or had the ink removed somehow.

Re: The Shrinking World of the Stamp Collector (2012)

#16

Post by nightfly » Wed, Apr 10, 2019, 7:25 AM UTC

jacquesm wrote: post #14

GuiA wrote: post #4

Vinyls, film cameras, typewriters, camper vans, and other objects which have been superseded by the ever turning wheels of progress have known notable regains of interest lately. I wouldn’t be surprised if Urban Outfitters started selling vintage stamp collections.

Camper vans are on the rise.

And have been for almost a decade now.

Re: The Shrinking World of the Stamp Collector (2012)

#17

Post by turtlecloud » Wed, Apr 10, 2019, 7:33 AM UTC

anonymous5133 wrote: post #10

gbhn wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A local coin/stamp person was completely uninterested in my old stamps from like 35 years ago. I think the shrinking number of collectors is outstripping the number of collections getting thrown out, and the whole idea of collecting stamps is just fading away.

Yup it is exactly that. The big problem, in contrast with precious metals, is that stamps have basically no intrinsic value. They're just pieces of paper. At least with precious metals, the coins can be melted down to create high technology.

Cryptocurrency will take its place :) Millennials will flock to alt coins just as the old people went into stamps

Re: The Shrinking World of the Stamp Collector (2012)

#18

Post by radosc » Wed, Apr 10, 2019, 7:37 AM UTC

It's an excellent time to collect super rare stamps. Common stamps declined in value and a lot of abandoned collections are sold for next to nothing so it's easier than ever to look for some hidden gems. In 10-20 years, when all the random collections disappear it'll be a super specialized market with high prices again based on scarcity. Some years ago when I was into cars, I could buy any beaten up BMWs for less than €1000 including E24 6-series or E9. Sometimes I'd find a gem in super an excellent condition, and it still followed price trend with an abundance of similar cars for sale. Now with all these cars junked to buy a parts E24 you need to have upwards of €7000.

Re: The Shrinking World of the Stamp Collector (2012)

#19

Post by UweSchmidt » Wed, Apr 10, 2019, 8:20 AM UTC

radosc wrote: post #18

It's an excellent time to collect super rare stamps. Common stamps declined in value and a lot of abandoned collections are sold for next to nothing so it's easier than ever to look for some hidden gems. In 10-20 years, when all the random collections disappear it'll be a super specialized market with high prices again based on scarcity. Some years ago when I was into cars, I could buy any beaten up BMWs for less tha…

Not sure about that: When the next generation doesn't know what a stamp is, and the fascination, getting a message from someone, getting glimpse into the world, has no basis, who will 'collect'?

I think it's similar to collecting old guitars; people in their financial prime buy a connection to the music and bands of the 60ies and 70ies; their children may have grown up with electronic music and can't relate.

Cars might be relatable, since you can still drive around with it, but the current fashion of having 'vintage' things may be over in 10 years.

Re: The Shrinking World of the Stamp Collector (2012)

#20

Post by pjc50 » Wed, Apr 10, 2019, 8:58 AM UTC

UweSchmidt wrote: post #19

radosc wrote: post #18

It's an excellent time to collect super rare stamps. Common stamps declined in value and a lot of abandoned collections are sold for next to nothing so it's easier than ever to look for some hidden gems. In 10-20 years, when all the random collections disappear it'll be a super specialized market with high prices again based on scarcity. Some years ago when I was into cars, I could buy any beaten up BMWs for less tha…

Not sure about that: When the next generation doesn't know what a stamp is, and the fascination, getting a message from someone, getting glimpse into the world, has no basis, who will 'collect'? I think it's similar to collecting old guitars; people in their financial prime buy a connection to the music and bands of the 60ies and 70ies; their children may have grown up with electronic music and can't relate. Cars mig…

More like vinyl collections: it becomes valuable only after it goes through a period of being untrendy enough that a lot of the stock gets thrown away.