The "Gum" Condition of a stamp
I think that the computer age lends itself greatly to the buying/selling for the stamp collecting hobby except for primarily one item, the GUM CONDITION. The photos of the front of the stamp in my opinion give a true assesment of the stamp HOWEVER even if a scan is taken of the back/gum, it is often impossible to view how it REALLY appears in person. This is a problem. When it comes to centering, I couldn't care less what the dealer writes because I can judge that by myself according to the photo. However, Regummed often can't be detected even via a photo of back for the most part, also gum skips, gum creases, gum bends what is a light hinge, a very light hinge, an extremely light hinge etc. These are critical items that can greatly affect the value & desireability of a stamp. For that reason, I'm thinking that selling/buying with a certificate might be a wise choice in this regard; along as for many other reasons. (even though in principle I think that grading should be in the eyes of the purchaser/seller in determining a grade, not an authority panel)
The cost /aggrevation/time consumption/hassle for paying for shipping a stamp & then having to pay to return the stamp because of gum condition that isnt desribed properly is a problem. How do my fellow collectors feel about this & any suggestions on how to get true depiction of the gum for a prospective buyer before they actually purchase the stamp ?
(I hope to be asking many questions to my fellow Hip Buyers/Sellers that I have in the upcoming months....thanks for listening, I'd appreciate your feedback even if you disagree)
The cost /aggrevation/time consumption/hassle for paying for shipping a stamp & then having to pay to return the stamp because of gum condition that isnt desribed properly is a problem. How do my fellow collectors feel about this & any suggestions on how to get true depiction of the gum for a prospective buyer before they actually purchase the stamp ?
(I hope to be asking many questions to my fellow Hip Buyers/Sellers that I have in the upcoming months....thanks for listening, I'd appreciate your feedback even if you disagree)
Comments
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The front of stamp can be captured by a picture but not the gum. everyones assessment of lh, vlh, xlh is different. Should seller describe even the tiniest of gum skip etc? therefore buyer has to go by sellers assesment which presents difficulties. gum really lends itself to only be clearly assesed upon viewing in person.
https://www.hipstamp.com/store/fatdanes-stamp-store
Now I have no problem with that and fully refunded his payment upon return of the stamp. It's his money and it should be spent on something that makes him happy because this is a hobby and we are talking small pieces of paper here... But I now identify gummed stamps as MNH or MH. MH includes everything from a single, neat hinge remnant to truly VLH, I may lose a few sales but I have had -0- complaints. (actually never had any before either)
Any stamps with multiple hinges, bends, skips, adhesions, offsets, etc get washed and sold as no gum.. I sleep better at night.