<< Prev |
Back to Table of Contents
| Next
>>
As a long time worldwide stamp collector, I'd like to give you a few thoughts
about the controversy and complaints about Scott catalog pricing.
How many members of your local stamp club participate in the "big
league" stamp auctions? I'll bet there are relatively few, if any. Most of
us buy stamps to fill spaces and try to buy from a dealer we trust. Most of us
have a fixed budget and we try to get the most for our money, primarily
inexpensive stamps and sets. Then why complain about how Scott prices stamps?
Those with unlimited budgets rarely have a reason to complain, yet seem to be
the most vocal in their opposition. Remember, dealers sell stamps to make a
profit and must remain competitive to stay in business. If they were to fold,
then where would we turn?
What difference does it make to any of us if Scott has a minimum value of 15
cents for any stamp? If the complainers had to sort these stamps, they probably
would soon find out that they are losing money at the 15 cent minimum price. I
don't think any of us is so naive that we expect to get anything near catalogue
value for our stamps when we sell them. We are hobbyists, buying these stamps
for our own pleasure. So-called investors almost ruined our hobby not too many
years ago. It seems to me that since Scott lowered their values to reflect
retail value, some of these investors are trying to get back into business again.
Perhaps they need the market to fall like it did several years ago.
Let's leave stamp collecting as a hobby. As a stamp collector for many years, I
can honestly say I have learned more geography and history than I ever learned
in school from my stamps. When I went to school both these subjects were boring,
but since collecting stamps, I find both subjects fascinating.
I find the Scott's catalog full of valuable information besides pricing. It
teaches us to sort our stamps in an intelligent way. It gives us a way of
identifying our stamps. We buy and trade stamps based on their Scott number. Can
you imagine how dull it would be collecting stamps without the use of a Scott
catalog?
My advice to all collectors is to enjoy the hobby for what it was meant to be.
Stay within your budget when buying stamps, purchase from a reliable source, and
learn to use the Scott's catalogs for their valuable information and don't worry
how much you're going to get when you sell your collection. The education you
will have received from this hobby by then is well worth whatever money you
spent on it.
<< Prev |
Back to Table of Contents
| Next >>
|
