Great show and an awesome success story. I started stamp collecting when I was ten because this hobby was extremely popular in the late 1960s. During my university time, I met a lot of students from mainland China and one of them offered me his stock of PRC stamps for 10 k. I accepted and started a small business on East and South East Asian stamps like PRC, Taiwan, HK, Macau, Japan, Thailand, Singapore etc. And my decision was right because these markets (except Japan) became extremely hot during the 1980s/1990s. After the turn of the century, I sold my complete inventory at an auction for a decent amount of $$$ and "retired". Greets from GER, U.
Thanks for sharing your story! China stamps are a hot market now. whenever a country’s economy is doing well so does its collector market since people have more expendable income
One of my favorite videos you've ever done. It was cool hearing some of your personal story, especially from someone who is about the same age as you. I am one of the "younger" collectors being in my mid 30s, and also a child of the 90s. I have 5 kids who don't care about the hobby at all, but I'm hoping that, if we continue to expose young people to if, we will be able to re-kindle how ubiquitous stamp collecting used to be among children. All we have to do is keep marketing the hobby similarly to how you are in this video and all your videos. Keep up the great work! The videos just keep getting better.
Great video; nice to know how it all started for you. I disagree with the one commenting the comment section that stamp shows barely exist. My stamp club has two shows/auction each year. (The Waterville Stamp Club, Waterville Maine). Plus there is a regional show in Massachusetts. My brother and I got started in collecting when the neighborhood boy next door came over and said “Look what my grandfather gave me!” It was a Scott National album. So we started a collection together. My brother still has it, plus a fantastic US collection. I collect US and foreign. My specialty collection is stamps on stamps. I have a stock book full of them. Keep up the good work and happy collecting!!!
I also wrote down all my stamps by looking at library Scott catalogs when I was in middle school. Now that I'm in college, stamps arent something I am constantly thinking about, but still on my mind.
That’s a pretty typical story for many of us collectors. If you had some enjoyment from stamps in the past, you’ll likely start collecting again one day when the time is right. Some people go several decades before getting back in. It mainly just depends on your time. One day life will likely slow down and then you’ll start thinking about things in your past that enjoyed doing.
Very interesting and inspiring showing how persistence can get you whereever you want. This needs a lof of knoweledge, study and dedication. Congratulations ❤
I've been a stamp collector since 1971, Cub Scout merit badge project. I've been a stamp dealer since 1985. I sell mostly mixtures and collections on ebay. Stamp shows were profitable in the 80s and 90s but barely exist now. For me it's a nice side gig. Great video!
@@TheyLive2024 wow sounds like you have quite the story yourself! The markets change but as long as you sell for more than you buy then it allows someone the time to deal.
Congratulations on your success, it's nice to hear such an interesting story. What you are doing is a serious business where you combine your love for philately and making money. What else better you can get 😊 Born in the late seventies, our story with stamps began similarly, only that after a 20-year break (school, college, etc.) I continued philately, but as hobby, because I earn money as a vet, and my primary area of collecting and studying is veterinary medicine in philately. Unfortunately, there are fewer and fewer young people who are interested in philately, at every meeting of philatelists or exhibition/sale I am among the youngest 😅😮
Yes, I collect everything related to veterinary medicine and philately... stamps, fdc, MC, traveled letters, it seems like there is not much, but I have collected quite a lot from all over the world. I don't know if it is thematic or topical philately, it has no significant value, but I enjoy creating a collection.
@@ChokaVT wow that is a very niche topic! I’m sure the amount of pieces are limited. Which I think is good because you can actually complete a collection vs trying to collect every stamp ever issued.
Chinese stamps are a great investment. The hobby there is experiencing a comeback! I personally don’t deal or collect them, but if you do it’s a great area to collect and invest!
Awesome Ryan been researching now for 7yrs after being given a 4 generation collection one member being world war 11 hero and had collected stamps from all the counties he spent time in a lot of history I’ve had similar experiences like you with brokers so very quickly I changed the way I do things been listening to your utube videos it was so refreshing to know there were some genuine people out there now 78yrs old 7yrs researching I’m about to sell some of these stamps thanks to the knowledge you have passed along thank you so much for your honesty and help I’m going to trade as Nana Oz. Love to you and your family merry Xmas. Di Osborne
Thanks for the awesome feedback! I’m glad you found some value in the content! Best of luck on your endeavors and hopefully you’ll continue to find value in my future videos! 🫶
Great video! Your story of how you became a successful stamp dealer is very interesting and inspiring! It is a story of a exceptional entrepreneur, perseverance and doing due diligence like obtaining the knowledge and expertise you needed. It was really nice to hear some of your personal story. Congratulations on your success!!!! It is well deserved! Thanks so much for sharing!
I like your channel because you focus on the usually taboo topic of investment grade stamps and making a profit from this hobby. I would love to see more videos of your own personal collection. Specific question for you, do you think your business of selling older stamps could eventually beat out the modern stamp reselling? Is there any reason why or why not? For example, like trouble obtaining enough high quality stamps?
@@DeltaFH they are essentially two separate markets. I think because of the issue of counterfeits the modern unused postage market will dwindle. The older material is going to have more interest over time as an antique and collectible market. So I think they will continue. But as time goes by there is more collectibles to take people’s time and money. Like sports, Pokémon, comics. So I think stamps will stay small. But I think there’s still youth today that find more value in history than Pokémon so it wills rich around. My son likes Pokémon. But the problem is there is a dealer for every 2 collectors. So there’s more room to get into stamps from a reseller standpoint. Though margins may not be as lucrative.
I have a question that really interests me. If you buy stamps then via West Coast stamp company, you mean you want to get only 25% profit compared to many other stamp dealers who deduct to about 40% or even more than 50%. Do you then try to get 25% profit on a slightly or partially significantly lower selling price than other stamp dealers would expect or do you buy the stamps with -25% for the seller, for an average selling price without the deductions of your personal significantly lower selling price? I'm just interested in this, this question is not meant to be critical or negative. I hope I didn't formulate the question too awkwardly.
@@ncslegend4387 25% is a good return I shoot for to cover expenses and keep the ball rolling. But there are always instances where I’ve lost money on buying inventory and other times where I made 100X on something gone unnoticed or incorrectly identified or something that achieved a high grade. It has all balanced out, but not without risks and failures that many people wouldn’t stomach. Like with most businesses “no risk no reward”. You have to have the metal for that kind of thing to be successful on a magnitude that most people don’t achieve.
Yes, I agree with you. Most people don’t reflect on many areas of the world clearly enough to take certain risks and will never achieve much success. This is what is called the general majority. However, you didn’t answer my question: do you deduct 25% from your already reduced purchase price, or do you deduct 25% from an average purchase price? Also, why was my post about the stamps deleted from the forum instead of assessing their value?
My problem is having No One who is honestly trustworthy to go to for assistance assessment of stamps ..as you mentioned don't want to be scammed by anyone in any way shape or form I've heard horror stories grading companies not returning exact submission keeping it or being stolen /lost in mail (yes realize why it's a must to purchase insurance) or even being taken advantage of by someone local dealer shop owner giving me false facts information/advice etc low ball offer etc instead of helping me they profit from my lack of knowledge Started collecting 1970's
There’s no shortage of bad players in any industry and hobby. The best defense is education. You can also take photos of what you have before sending it for a cert or appraisal if you are concerned.
That’s a great and very rare story! Congratulations. Now I live in Mexico. How can I get in to the stamp business to make some money? What do you recommend?
Your story is very interesting. I have lots of stamps, old post-cards ( used ) and new. I inherited them from grandparents and people that just wanted to give them to someone and felt bad about throwing away pieces of history. My question is what is the easiest way to go about it. I live in town of 3 to 4 thousand people and I am not a technical person. I am very poor and would just like to do something with them as my daughter is throwing it all away when I pass.
I have a worldwide stamp collection. Lots of old stamps some in perfect condition. I would love for you to see my collection. See if your interested in helping me sell them
Great show and an awesome success story. I started stamp collecting when I was ten because this hobby was extremely popular in the late 1960s. During my university time, I met a lot of students from mainland China and one of them offered me his stock of PRC stamps for 10 k. I accepted and started a small business on East and South East Asian stamps like PRC, Taiwan, HK, Macau, Japan, Thailand, Singapore etc. And my decision was right because these markets (except Japan) became extremely hot during the 1980s/1990s. After the turn of the century, I sold my complete inventory at an auction for a decent amount of $$$ and "retired". Greets from GER, U.
Thanks for sharing your story! China stamps are a hot market now. whenever a country’s economy is doing well so does its collector market since people have more expendable income
لو سمحت عندى طوابع بريدية قديمة واريد ان اعرف قيمتها شكرا
One of my favorite videos you've ever done. It was cool hearing some of your personal story, especially from someone who is about the same age as you. I am one of the "younger" collectors being in my mid 30s, and also a child of the 90s. I have 5 kids who don't care about the hobby at all, but I'm hoping that, if we continue to expose young people to if, we will be able to re-kindle how ubiquitous stamp collecting used to be among children. All we have to do is keep marketing the hobby similarly to how you are in this video and all your videos. Keep up the great work! The videos just keep getting better.
Glad to meet another Gen Y collector! Wow thanks for the compliments! 🤙
Great video; nice to know how it all started for you. I disagree with the one commenting the comment section that stamp shows barely exist. My stamp club has two shows/auction each year. (The Waterville Stamp Club, Waterville Maine). Plus there is a regional show in Massachusetts.
My brother and I got started in collecting when the neighborhood boy next door came over and said “Look what my grandfather gave me!” It was a Scott National album. So we started a collection together. My brother still has it, plus a fantastic US collection.
I collect US and foreign. My specialty collection is stamps on stamps. I have a stock book full of them. Keep up the good work and happy collecting!!!
Glad to hear your stamp club is still active! Mine is as well but it’s true it gas shrunk up significantly in the past 20 years.
I also wrote down all my stamps by looking at library Scott catalogs when I was in middle school. Now that I'm in college, stamps arent something I am constantly thinking about, but still on my mind.
That’s a pretty typical story for many of us collectors. If you had some enjoyment from stamps in the past, you’ll likely start collecting again one day when the time is right. Some people go several decades before getting back in. It mainly just depends on your time. One day life will likely slow down and then you’ll start thinking about things in your past that enjoyed doing.
That was the quickest 15-minute video I've seen. Very interesting.
Thanks Larry. Glad I was able to quickly waste 15 minutes of your life that you’ll never get back 🤣
Very interesting and inspiring showing how persistence can get you whereever you want. This needs a lof of knoweledge, study and dedication. Congratulations ❤
Thanks for the feedback and support as always Waleed 🫶
As a philateslist born in the early 90s, know that stamp collectors our age do exist! Great story about how you got to where you are today!
Nice to hear from other Gen Y philatelists! Glad to know I’m not the only one 🤭
I've been a stamp collector since 1971, Cub Scout merit badge project. I've been a stamp dealer since 1985. I sell mostly mixtures and collections on ebay. Stamp shows were profitable in the 80s and 90s but barely exist now. For me it's a nice side gig. Great video!
@@TheyLive2024 wow sounds like you have quite the story yourself! The markets change but as long as you sell for more than you buy then it allows someone the time to deal.
Great video!!!!! Loved your story, so interesting!!!
Thanks for watching!
Very Intersting... If anyone deserves it.. You definitely do ...
Thanks for the kind gesture. I wouldn’t say I deserve it, more than anyone who works hard at something. 80% hard work, 10% faith, 10% luck
Congratulations on your success, it's nice to hear such an interesting story. What you are doing is a serious business where you combine your love for philately and making money. What else better you can get 😊
Born in the late seventies, our story with stamps began similarly, only that after a 20-year break (school, college, etc.) I continued philately, but as hobby, because I earn money as a vet, and my primary area of collecting and studying is veterinary medicine in philately. Unfortunately, there are fewer and fewer young people who are interested in philately, at every meeting of philatelists or exhibition/sale I am among the youngest 😅😮
So you collect stamps with veterinary medicine on them?
Yes, I collect everything related to veterinary medicine and philately... stamps, fdc, MC, traveled letters, it seems like there is not much, but I have collected quite a lot from all over the world. I don't know if it is thematic or topical philately, it has no significant value, but I enjoy creating a collection.
@@ChokaVT wow that is a very niche topic! I’m sure the amount of pieces are limited. Which I think is good because you can actually complete a collection vs trying to collect every stamp ever issued.
Great story about your success! I collect Chinese Stamps.
Chinese stamps are a great investment. The hobby there is experiencing a comeback! I personally don’t deal or collect them, but if you do it’s a great area to collect and invest!
Awesome Ryan been researching now for 7yrs after being given a 4 generation collection one member being world war 11 hero and had collected stamps from all the counties he spent time in a lot of history I’ve had similar experiences like you with brokers so very quickly I changed the way I do things been listening to your utube videos it was so refreshing to know there were some genuine people out there now 78yrs old 7yrs researching I’m about to sell some of these stamps thanks to the knowledge you have passed along thank you so much for your honesty and help I’m going to trade as Nana Oz. Love to you and your family merry Xmas. Di Osborne
Thanks for the awesome feedback! I’m glad you found some value in the content! Best of luck on your endeavors and hopefully you’ll continue to find value in my future videos! 🫶
Excelente vídeo Parabéns
Gracias 🫶
Great story. Love your videos.
Thanks for watching and the compliments ☺️
Great video. Will comment more on FB
@@donaldmackert8427 always good to hear feedback from other dealers Don 🫶
Great video! Your story of how you became a successful stamp dealer is very interesting and inspiring! It is a story of a exceptional entrepreneur, perseverance and doing due diligence like obtaining the knowledge and expertise you needed. It was really nice to hear some of your personal story. Congratulations on your success!!!! It is well deserved! Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you! I greatly appreciate your feedback and support as always! 🫶
I like your channel because you focus on the usually taboo topic of investment grade stamps and making a profit from this hobby. I would love to see more videos of your own personal collection. Specific question for you, do you think your business of selling older stamps could eventually beat out the modern stamp reselling? Is there any reason why or why not? For example, like trouble obtaining enough high quality stamps?
@@DeltaFH they are essentially two separate markets. I think because of the issue of counterfeits the modern unused postage market will dwindle. The older material is going to have more interest over time as an antique and collectible market. So I think they will continue. But as time goes by there is more collectibles to take people’s time and money. Like sports, Pokémon, comics. So I think stamps will stay small. But I think there’s still youth today that find more value in history than Pokémon so it wills rich around. My son likes Pokémon. But the problem is there is a dealer for every 2 collectors. So there’s more room to get into stamps from a reseller standpoint. Though margins may not be as lucrative.
Love this content!
Thanks for your support! 🫶
@ThatStampGuy I collected as a kid and lost everything. I think you just got me back in.
@@KacyKnight just getting one person back into the hobby makes it worth it to me 👏
You know I seen your video on the b.franklin ...slightly taller....and I think I have it but not getting too excited...😊
I have a question that really interests me.
If you buy stamps then via West Coast stamp company, you mean you want to get only 25% profit compared to many other stamp dealers who deduct to about 40% or even more than 50%.
Do you then try to get 25% profit on a slightly or partially significantly lower selling price than other stamp dealers would expect or do you buy the stamps with -25% for the seller, for an average selling price without the deductions of your personal significantly lower selling price?
I'm just interested in this, this question is not meant to be critical or negative.
I hope I didn't formulate the question too awkwardly.
@@ncslegend4387 25% is a good return I shoot for to cover expenses and keep the ball rolling. But there are always instances where I’ve lost money on buying inventory and other times where I made 100X on something gone unnoticed or incorrectly identified or something that achieved a high grade. It has all balanced out, but not without risks and failures that many people wouldn’t stomach. Like with most businesses “no risk no reward”. You have to have the metal for that kind of thing to be successful on a magnitude that most people don’t achieve.
Yes, I agree with you. Most people don’t reflect on many areas of the world clearly enough to take certain risks and will never achieve much success. This is what is called the general majority.
However, you didn’t answer my question: do you deduct 25% from your already reduced purchase price, or do you deduct 25% from an average purchase price? Also, why was my post about the stamps deleted from the forum instead of assessing their value?
My problem is having No One who is honestly trustworthy to go to for assistance assessment of stamps ..as you mentioned don't want to be scammed by anyone in any way shape or form
I've heard horror stories grading companies not returning exact submission keeping it or being stolen /lost in mail (yes realize why it's a must to purchase insurance) or even being taken advantage of by someone local dealer shop owner giving me false facts information/advice etc low ball offer etc instead of helping me they profit from my lack of knowledge
Started collecting 1970's
There’s no shortage of bad players in any industry and hobby. The best defense is education. You can also take photos of what you have before sending it for a cert or appraisal if you are concerned.
Thank You for taking the time to reply..I appreciate the advice 🙂
That’s a great and very rare story! Congratulations. Now I live in Mexico. How can I get in to the stamp business to make some money? What do you recommend?
Does Mexico allow older stamps like those from the 80s and 90s to still be used to mail?
Your story is very interesting. I have lots of stamps, old post-cards ( used ) and new. I inherited them from grandparents and people that just wanted to give them to someone and felt bad about throwing away pieces of history. My question is what is the easiest way to go about it. I live in town of 3 to 4 thousand people and I am not a technical person. I am very poor and would just like to do something with them as my daughter is throwing it all away when I pass.
You can donate them to the Boy Scouts. They have a stamp collecting badge for kids to earn.
brother i have allot of old stamps special us stamps and its have value if you can help me to sell it or know what i do with it
@@Bigmoe_fitlife you can post some photos of what you have here stampcollectors.us/collectors-forum-board/us-stamp-values/
You can post some photos of the stamps here stampcollectors.us/collectors-forum-board/us-stamp-values/
I have a worldwide stamp collection. Lots of old stamps some in perfect condition. I would love for you to see my collection. See if your interested in helping me sell them
You can post some photos of your stamps here stampcollectors.us/collectors-forum-board/worldwide-stamp-values/