No Picture? No Condition? No Sale.
I can't imagine why any dealer would leave the stamp condition (MNH, Unused, Used) out of the main title, especially when they do not include an image with the listing. To me, that indicates a total lack of respect to your (potential) customers. I never click on those listings.
Comments
https://www.hipstamp.com/store/directmaildiscount
totally made-up example:
Germany Scott #14 $20.00 (no image included)
If I am looking for a Germany #14, I am not bothering to click on this listing.
I'm not looking for watermark information, perf gauge, type of paper, or any other specialized information in the title (nor, even, in the details, for that matter).
But, the vast majority of collectors, I believe, are looking for particular stamps in either Used, Unused, or MNH condition. I think that information, at least, should be in the title (especially for later stamps, where MNH is the norm and hinged are virtually worthless). The price is no indication, as in my example, stamps in either condition could have that price. Maybe it's just a dealer's way of getting you to click on their listing and look for the details. Then, as long as you are in that store, you will buy their stamp. I don't know.
I don't want to hold anyone's feet to the fire, and force my views on anyone. All I'm saying, is if a dealer can't be bothered with the courtesy of providing basic details in the title, don't be surprised if some potential customers can't be bothered with perusing your offerings.
I was starting to feel a bit of a wall flower on this one. Some sellers seem to forget that If a person like me is not here then they will not sell stamps! I have to say this again, NO PICTURE, lack of info then no buy. Watermarks are very important, perforations are very important. I have been bitten that many times from seriously undescribed damaged stamps in the past on ebay it is not funny (no reverse scan on a very expensive stamp), and yes Michael, I have already been caught on re gumming. I am 71 years old and have been collecting MUH, MNH, OG, basically all my life I started as a kid.
Once a Mint stamp was straight off the press. not any more, we seem to have all these Catalogues (catalogs, we spell different too) world wise with all different price listings, different ways of listing watermark types. and the abbreviation terminologies that are mind boggling. Scotts Cats. are virtually unheard of in Aus, Stanley Gibbons are British, I have SG, Brusden and White KG V, KG VI, Brusden and White Kangaroos, 7 seas for quick reference (nice stamp profile pics.) also an out dated PC cat and 2 others that were designed from philatelists in Melbourne Aus (the latter 3 handy for the early ones)
There are that many Catalogues which are all listing differences in values it is not funny.
Ok Having said all that I more than likely spend as much time with my hobby as a buyer as a seller does on stamps due to my continual cross referencing on 7 Catalogues, checking perfs, watermarks, and descriptions on purchases as well as collection written storage x refs. (see very little perf referencing on the listed profile description pics).
Watermarks (only some sellers). Reverse scans (virtually zero existent on high value stamps). At the moment I am dealing with a minority of sellers that give me stamp profile PHOTO listings with OG, MNH, MH on their listings.
I say this with no disrespect, I can understand the time involved to place thousands and thousands of scans and the related info into this medium, But sellers need to know the hours and hours that are spent by people such as myself (A collector) to find one lovely stamp (last high value $250 USD from a Fort Lauderdale seller).
Collecting used stamps gave me innumerable hours of pleasure as a kid, I am now a fussy collector that is filling in gaps from years of collecting MNH and MH OG stamps. My gaps are now expensive pre-decimals (Australian predecimal Stamps) I need sellers that are simply fair dinkum with their descriptions and show SCANS and proper descriptions and give full info on high value stamps.
I am at the moment contemplating a $1400 stamp which once again I will have drag the info out on this item (yes we have a photo but not all relevant info)
My comments are hopefully constructive as well as written with no prejudice or hard feelings,
Cheers, Pete. East Gippsland Australia
WHEW! Sorry Ted, I have added lots to your thunder of which I agree with, but description goes further than a listed profile pic. A proper listing standard would be tops.