Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
I am seeking input on topical / thematic items in approval books.
Consider the following methods of grouping:
For example, with wild animals sort out the tigers, lions, giraffe etc. and put them on a sub topical page each at say 15c;
or, perhaps, put them on a page as they come when I am doing it so they are mixed up a bit but still on the main book theme - this would mean I can put them up for say 10c each.
The prices are just an example of pricing I made up to ask this question.
do buyers here mind looking at pages of stamps on a theme and prefer to pay less or do they prefer to quickly find items and pay more ............
Examples would be
Transport - buses, cars, planes etc on the same page at 10c or a different page for each one at 15c
Animals - cats , dogs, reptiles etc on the same page at 10c or a different page for each one at 15c
Your thought would be very much appreciated.
Phil
(Modified by Moderator on 2015-09-10 07:16:40)
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for me, who is not cavalierly parted with his farthings, I don't mind searching IF you tell me what's in there. If it just says "animals" and I only want horses, bats, and GSDs, I probably won't bother unless it's so cheap it's a sin not to.
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08:36:01am
pghstamps
I do not understand the point of charging more for items grouped than items mixed together. It requires the same labor to mount and present either scenario, so what is the rationale for charging more for the grouped stamps?
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Yes it takes the same amount of time to do that but it takes longer to sort them out.
And thank you for the suggestiom of putting the type of animals in the description never even thought of that but will def do that
Phil
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According to our approval rules;
"The books are to be organized by collectible categories, for the benefit of the buyers. Titles of the books should be specific and should fully describe the contents of the books."
This means presenting books according to collectible areas already is the rule. I take this to mean that a book "Topicals" with all kinds of stamps mixed together would be frowned upon. However, even a broad category, such as animals, could be acceptable. If you must charge more for books that are better organized, i.e, separate butterflies from mammals, I believe the market will reward it. In essence it is the same question if one should provide catalog numbers and present stamps in order of catalog. Some sellers do, and if they do, I believe a premium has been earned. If you put in more work in the preparation/presentation, you will have better sales. Whether earning this premium is worthwhile to the seller is his or her decision. However, a minimum organization is mandatory. I have no doubt that it is the insistence on a minimum quality of the offerings that is responsible for the continuing success of the approval section.
Arno
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Thank you for the feedback so far ...... it has given me a few things to think about.
Phil
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On the converse, if you put together a book that the buyers don't like, you'll know about that soon enough.
I agree with Arno. When I first put approval books together, the stamps were mostly in Scott order, but were not identified by number. Condition was always mentioned, however. I had some sales, but when I added new books where the stamps were identified by catalog number, and I charged a little bit more for those stamps, that's when sales got much better.
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07:04:07am
Hello everyone
I am seeking input on topical / thematic items in approval books.
Consider the following methods of grouping:
For example, with wild animals sort out the tigers, lions, giraffe etc. and put them on a sub topical page each at say 15c;
or, perhaps, put them on a page as they come when I am doing it so they are mixed up a bit but still on the main book theme - this would mean I can put them up for say 10c each.
The prices are just an example of pricing I made up to ask this question.
do buyers here mind looking at pages of stamps on a theme and prefer to pay less or do they prefer to quickly find items and pay more ............
Examples would be
Transport - buses, cars, planes etc on the same page at 10c or a different page for each one at 15c
Animals - cats , dogs, reptiles etc on the same page at 10c or a different page for each one at 15c
Your thought would be very much appreciated.
Phil
(Modified by Moderator on 2015-09-10 07:16:40)
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re: now heres a thought !! ??
for me, who is not cavalierly parted with his farthings, I don't mind searching IF you tell me what's in there. If it just says "animals" and I only want horses, bats, and GSDs, I probably won't bother unless it's so cheap it's a sin not to.
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They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. -Benjamin Franklin
10 Sep 2015
08:36:01am
re: now heres a thought !! ??
pghstamps
I do not understand the point of charging more for items grouped than items mixed together. It requires the same labor to mount and present either scenario, so what is the rationale for charging more for the grouped stamps?
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10:00:51am
re: now heres a thought !! ??
Yes it takes the same amount of time to do that but it takes longer to sort them out.
And thank you for the suggestiom of putting the type of animals in the description never even thought of that but will def do that
Phil
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this post
re: now heres a thought !! ??
According to our approval rules;
"The books are to be organized by collectible categories, for the benefit of the buyers. Titles of the books should be specific and should fully describe the contents of the books."
This means presenting books according to collectible areas already is the rule. I take this to mean that a book "Topicals" with all kinds of stamps mixed together would be frowned upon. However, even a broad category, such as animals, could be acceptable. If you must charge more for books that are better organized, i.e, separate butterflies from mammals, I believe the market will reward it. In essence it is the same question if one should provide catalog numbers and present stamps in order of catalog. Some sellers do, and if they do, I believe a premium has been earned. If you put in more work in the preparation/presentation, you will have better sales. Whether earning this premium is worthwhile to the seller is his or her decision. However, a minimum organization is mandatory. I have no doubt that it is the insistence on a minimum quality of the offerings that is responsible for the continuing success of the approval section.
Arno
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01:03:28pm
re: now heres a thought !! ??
Thank you for the feedback so far ...... it has given me a few things to think about.
Phil
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01:28:07pm
re: now heres a thought !! ??
On the converse, if you put together a book that the buyers don't like, you'll know about that soon enough.
I agree with Arno. When I first put approval books together, the stamps were mostly in Scott order, but were not identified by number. Condition was always mentioned, however. I had some sales, but when I added new books where the stamps were identified by catalog number, and I charged a little bit more for those stamps, that's when sales got much better.
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