most important stamp transaction in a collector's life. It's a task for which few sellers are prepared, one usually approached with trepidation rather than anticipation. Yet it need not be that way. What follows is a journey through the process of selling as seen from the stamp dealer's perspective. The idea is to remove some of the mystery surrounding selling and give you a better idea of how to approach the task.

At first glance, it would appear that the stamp dealer has all the advantages: knowledge, experience, and skill. He buys and sells stamps every day and knows the market intimately. The seller would seem to be at a tremendous disadvantage. He enters the arena with trepidation, sure that the wily dealer will get the best of the deal. In reality, the seller too has as much going for him; he just isn't aware of it.

There's no reason why the seller shouldn't come to the bargaining table informed. After all, any dealer will tell you that it's easier to do business with someone who knows what he's got and understands the market than with someone who has no idea of what he has. The informed seller is able to recognize a fair offer and act on it. The uninformed seller thrashes around in the dark closet of doubt and indecision, never quite sure if he should accept an offer or not.

I felt that it would be helpful to put you, the potential seller, behind the counter with me. By sharing my experiences, you will gain a better understanding of what is involved in the selling transaction.
I have traveled countless thousands of miles, looked at  and bought thousands of collections. 

So come along, watch over my shoulder, and see what it's all about. You'll meet some characters.You'll learn how a dealer values a collection, what appeals to him and what doesn't, and hopefully you'll come away with knowledge that you can utilize in your quest to get top dollar for your stamps. And I hope that you'll have a good time doing it!