Stamp Collector

3 JANUARY 2019 ww w.allaboutstamps.co.uk going into the petrol station, and being warned that the price you’re paying to put fuel in you tank is not the real price, you have to pay a premium! Obviously, there would be an uproar… 9 How can you cut out the middlemanandsell toCollectors instead? Well, I can think of two ways. 1). DIY - Do It Yourself selling on eBay. That may be fine for lower grade material – but, would you risk auctioning relatively unprotected rare material on eBay ? We don’t and we’re professionals, so we should know what we’re doing. Or 2). Cut out the extra middle-man. Use my company UPA, which reaches collectors instead. Here’s how it works: Continuing from our previous Example : The auction sold your stamps to a dealer for £1,000 – but You received circa £656 UPA sells them to collectors for you for up to £2,000 – even after 40% commission you receive up to £1,200. Up to £544 more. Now that’s amaz- ing, isn’t it? G 1 0 Sounds Good Andrew, but Can You ‘Deliver’? Obviously, nothing is as simple as that, and as we auction stamps to collectors some collections may ‘break’ to the example £2,000+/- but the stamps may be sold for more or less – especially as we reserve all lots at 20% below, (Estimate £2,000 = £1,600 reserve) and not everything sells first or even 2nd time so prices may come down… Naturally, it’s not that straightforward for a dealer either – he may sell at a discount to ‘move’ stock OR , like many dealers he may be sitting on the same unsold stamps, that you see time and time again, in dealer’s stocks years later and still at the same unattractive prices… So, I think it is more reasonable for you to expect up to 36% to 50% more, indirectly or directly via my Collector’s Secret Weapon: Universal Philatelic Auctions, which moves material more quickly, by incrementally reducing estimate (and reserve) price in a structured selling system… 11 Q . ❱ What is the Collector’s ‘Secret Weapon’? A . ❱ It’s called the Unique UPA Reducing Estimate System... L This is a rather long explanation, I don’t want to bore you, but 17 years ago, when my wife and I set up Universal Philatelic Auctions I detected that the stamp trade’s biggest problem then was not what sold – but what didn’t sell… So, because I didn’t want to try to keep on offering the same either unsaleable or overpriced stock I created the unique UPA Reducing Estimate (and reserve) Sell- ing System. Simply put, if a lot doesn’t sell in the 1st auction we reduce the estimate (and reserve) by 11% and unlike other dealers and auctions WE TELL YOU – ‘US’ = once unsold. If unsold after the following auction we reduce by a further 12% and WE TELL YOU ‘US2’ , if unsold after a 3rd UPA auction we reduce by a further 13% and WE TELL YOU ‘US3’ and so on till the lot finds its price, is sold or virtually given away... ✔ 12 Any Scientist will tell you that combinations of ingredients can produce powerful results. So we created the unique combination of my UPA Reducing Estimate System, married (in stone), with UPA’s fair ‘NO BUYER’S Premium’ policy, PLUS each lot carries my total ‘no quibble’ guarantee – this formula is the reason why within the span of 4 auctions (one year)… 90%-95% of lots broken from a collection have sold. This Unique Philatelic Selling System Formula is the reason why we are the largest stamp auction in the UK today with 2,261 different bidders in my recent auction. E In Hindsight Dealers warned me 17 years ago that my idea wouldn’t work. 17 years later I think I’ve proven that it does. (Reader: Please Request a complimentary UPA catalogue – using the contact details further below) 13 OK, Cut to the Chase Andrew, what’s the offer? All of my Selling Systems are based upon selling to Collectors Globally , so that 95% of stamps sold by UPA are sold directly to Collectors. If you wish to benefit by up to 50% or more, depending upon your circumstance and type of material, by cutting out the middleman – then this offer may be for you. Generally ‘time’ is the enemy in our lives, and for most dealers not being able to sell stock. Now is the time to let ‘time’ do the ‘heavy-lifting’ and consider making ‘time’ work for you, so that at UPA you can make time your friend. I 14 AND the SMALL PRINT? Some lots are too small in value for us to offer this system. Other lots may not be suited to selling in this manner (e.g. surplus mint British decimal stamps best used for postage) – especially if the market is heavily compromised by stock overhang in specific areas. Some Collectors will not wish to use time and systems to leverage price, others will want to agree a specific price and know that they are paid precisely this amount. No client is treated like a number and no client is forced like a square peg into a round hole. M 15 OK, What Do I Do Next? a). You contact UPA to discuss with Andrew or a highly-qualified Auction Valuer/ Describer what you have to dispose of and your options bearing in mind your specific interests / requirements b). If you wish, get a 2nd opinion, but in- vestigate what type of auction / dealer you are dealing with. Is it a Dealer’s auction with relative- ly few collectors? Can you see where / how the Dealer sells? If you can’t easily see any pricelists or high quality selling catalogues – that Dealer may sell your stamps to other dealers… c). Finally you ask U P A to collect your stamps, insure in transit for an estimated replace- ment retail value… C BS 16 What Happens then? A member of my Team telephones/e-mails you to confirm safe receipt. ‘Overnight’ valuations, unless simple, are rare. Valuing stamp collections that have taken tens of years to create takes time. Depending upon your priorities / timescale I, or an experienced member of my Team will contact you to discuss your requirements and the options available to you for the sale of your collection. Provided only that you feel well-informed and comfortable do we agree strategy T D 17 How Strong is the Stamp and Cover Market? Everybody knows that the strongest areas are GB and British Empire. Post- Independence / QEII material sells but if hinged at considerable discount. Mint hinged material pre 1952 is regarded as the industry ‘norm’ and therefore desirable – but genuine never-hinged commands a premium. Europe sells but at reduced levels, Americas is good, as generally is Asia but the ‘heat’ has come off China which is still good – and Russia which can still be good. East Europe is weaker. Overall, Rarities throughout can command their own price levels and real Postal History has good demand. 18 What Should I Do Next? Discuss your collection with U P A. Contact Andrew or an experienced member of his Team now… B C 19 Guarantee: I want You to be absolutely Sure So If You’re not sure we’ll transport and return your stamps for FREE up to £200 in actual shipping cost at our expense. It sounds generous (and it is), but it’s far less than the cost of driving 100+ miles each way and 3 to 6 hours in your home valuing your stamps U 20 My Double Cast Iron Guarantee: We can do a better job valuing your stamps in our office than in your home. If you don’t agree I’ll pay you an extra £50 for you to pay somebody trusted to open the boxes and put your albums back, in the same place, on the shelf they came from. UU 21 Act NOW: Contact Andrew or an experienced member of his Team using the on-line selling form at our website, by fax, telephone or by mail. We’ll work harder for you not to regret the decision to sell all or part of your collection… C B A AndrewMcGavin, Philatelic Expert, Author, Managing Director Universal Philatelic Auctions UPA Contact UPA: 01451 861 111 UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL: Dear Folk at UPA, I’ve dealt with the public for 37 + years, and as both a consumer, and a businessman, I have created huge numbers of orders from all over the world from a complete range of suppliers from all aspects of our daily lives. But I don’t believe I have ever encountered such sensitivity, such kind thought, such understanding as I have with you in our initial meeting, our subsequent successful transaction, and now this. I recall well the item you highlight, and realise that this one item has such colossal personal value, I could never part with it. It has been an absolute pleasure dealing with yourself, and I am more than willing for you to use this e-mail as commendation to others who may be thinking of disposing of their collection. Many, many thanks for a memorable experience, and I will try to emulate your thought and care in my own business sphere. Yours sincerely D. E. B. Bath, UK UNIVERSAL PHILATELIC AUCTIONS SC 05/20 4 The Old Coalyard, West End, Northleach, Glos. GL54 3HE UK Tel: 01451 861111 • Fax: 01451 861297 www.upastampauctions.co.uk • info@upastampauctions.co.uk