Internet Listings & Selling Guidelines
Online stamp dealing with ethical standards, valuable resources, and a supportive community for a safer and more enjoyable philatelic experience.
Internet Listings & Selling Guidelines
Online stamp dealing with ethical standards, valuable resources, and a supportive community for a safer and more enjoyable philatelic experience.
- Image Size – we recommend a minimum of 600dpi
- Provide both Front and Back images, where appropriate
- Image Clarity – images scanned on a black or dark background, or as best to show the stamp
- Full and Correct image – not showing any marks from scanning, that are not really on the stamp
- Color – to be a correct representation of the actual stamp and not be enhanced, brightened or otherwise to not be the exact true colour of the stamp
- Images – show all stamps being sold, with no stamps overlapping, so buyer can see the quality of each stamp – split into multiple images if necessary
- One stamp, one image – 5 copies of the same stamp require 5 images (with special exceptions only). The pictured stamp is the one you will receive.
- It is NOT acceptable to state “we don’t have time to show an image”
- Use meaningful wording
- Do NOT use exaggeration words, like BEAUTY, BELLA, BELLE, SCHÖN WITH BEAUTIFUL GUM, etc.
- No exaggeration for rarity – emphasis of some aspect of the stamp quality for example is acceptable, but exaggeration is not.
- Complete description in the summary and the further details sections
- Where required, state perforation variety or other special catalogue aspects which, in addition to correct catalogue reference, demonstrates credibility to a buyer
- Faults to be fully stated, it is not acceptable to state the image describes the stamp, or some such words
- State missing perfs, if in doubt
- Rusting/Toning to be stated, if applicable
- When it is known to be a CTO cancel, then it should be described as CTO, NOT stating or implying “Used”
- State “with gum” or “without gum”, if needed for completeness (i.e., especially if the catalog description mentions that quality
- Chemically removed from paper and/or damaged must be stated for modern self-adhesives
- Additional description details must NOT be “buyer beware” statements
- Use generally accepted Scott or SG or country specific, eg Michel, catalogue standard codes, and/or include explanations or a glossary wherever possible
- Quality or condition codes need to be correct and meaningful for the stamp(s) being listed, as per generally accepted standards as listed in for example, both Scott and SG catalogues
- acronyms should be explained if they are not the generally accepted standard codes so that customers are not confused by the meaning of the acronym.
- Use only official Grading certificates (not self-made ones)
- State catalogue year, if pricing is based on a percent of catalogue
- Do NOT use inflated prices with exaggerated percent reductions – doubling or tripling the catalogue price with bold statements offering 60% or 80% discounts may be seen as misleading and/or misrepresentation (which they are!) and it is unethical.
- Shipping is also recognized as meaning postage, packaging and handling charges, and as such should not be excessive, to more than cover reasonable related costs (i.e. sellers should NOT use this to inflate the selling price)
- No fake or illegal stamps should be listed, unless correctly and fully described as such
- It is a courtesy to politely communicate with a buyer, acknowledging receipt of the order and advising the buyer that the order has been shipped. Sellers should act in a professional and courteous manner.
- Messages from a buyer to a seller should be answered in a polite and timely manner; they should NOT be ignored!
- It is a courtesy to provide feedback on receipt of payment from the buyer. Making statements to the effect that feedback will only be provided after the buyer has provided feedback is not considered a polite or courteous way of conducting business. Sellers should always act in a professional and courteous manner.