My name is Erich Hamm, and I started collecting stamps over more than 50 years ago. First becoming interested in the philatelic basics way back in the early 50's. Then the many colourful and topical stamps of Germany and South Africa stamps occupied my spare time.
To this day I have nostalgic remembrances of some special stamp I acquired for my humble collection at the time - I savoured the moment. Despite life's distractions over years, I always returned to my stamps, ever wiser than before.
Over many years accumulating, studying with more handbooks or other catalogues one gets to feel the sense of joy and too, the value of one's own collection.
In essence each collector channels his interest in the limited direction of philatelic love of ease. My fascination surrounded my initial area which kept me the lifelong scholar as it would any other philatelist.
These days the web brings philately to your home with options of the best deal suiting you - the collector.
You are invited to peruse the site, our continued addition of new items but above all, we hope you enjoy our presentation and plaform.
British Africa, the British Commonwealth, African Continent, Germany and a little Worldwide is represented here. Worthy of mention is also the array of small lots or accumulations, Packets, back of the book material and much sought after Errors or varieties for the advanced collector.
The latter is reflected in past feedback on various sites local and international which emphasizes our good service and quality.
I have borrowed this philosophy : If you are pleased with our product tell others, if not - tell us.
In such a way we have given good service to our patrons over the years since 1981 and hope to continue that Philactica trait.
Changes are in the pipeline to benefit you - the seller, vendors, our patrons, so do visit regularly.
Best wishes
Please read on for more on SELLING & BUYING – some guidelines.
SELLING:-
Like any other inter-active website you need to REGISTER. Complete the required detail in just a few minutes and having read the TERMS and CONDITION and do accept same, click on REGISTER NOW and your done.
SELL an ITEM you will find on the Home page.
To Sell you will have three options which you may process to your specified times.
AUCTION
BUY NOW ONLY - at a fixed price (eliminates the Auction)
BUY NOW - in addition to your Auction value, but higher.
What and how are items normally offered yoy wish to sell ?
Any and all philatelic items at a price, YOU place as a value. Stamp, Cover, set of stamps or collection etc. you want to turn into money. The latter of course would require you to have some knowledge (a fraction of catalogue value to relative market price) of the article that you offer to sell.
In short – you sell at a fixed price (BUY NOW ONLY).
Some knowledgeable collectors may want to offer at a low starting AUCTION price and set a BUY NOW safety price to get at least a desired value back. Compare prices of similar items you wish to sell on other sites. Should such items not be found elsewhere it does not mean it is scarce and should not be price-hyped.
First impressions are still valid and a well scanned image may well be worth a thousand words. Vision is very much part of reading, so anything of importance not seen in the image provided, should be in the described in the detail.
All part of good communication sense.
An Inheritance or collection of sorts may be of little interest to YOU, but to get some monetary value out of it, you may try an AUCTION.
Starting at a low value and if well detailed with images you may get a variety of bidders. On the other side of the coin though, you may get a little above your starting bid – there are no guarantees.
The onus rests with you to make an informed choice to the possible value of the offered item.
Self-appraisal with a visit to the local Library or help from a Philatelic Society (Google) near you, may have a pleasant resolve.
Be sure to complete all the entries as applicable.
Give the prospective Buyer ALL the possibilities of how to safely pay for the lot/s offered.
Be clear on the way you anticipate to ship the won items to the Buyer.
Send won items after payment is received.
Guarantee a refund in specified time-frame if your Buyer is not satisfied, on the returned lot as it was sent.
Obviously you will keep track of your items offered on the site and when sold as informed via mail, respond in communicating with the buyer to conclude the transaction.
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YOU can make it a pleasant Selling experience.
BUYING:-
Successful Buying depends on a few important points.
Perusing our listing, relying on the first impression – you will be attracted to a good image. A larger image is available via image click.
Next is understanding the detail provided by the Seller. Should any doubts arise do please send a question to the Seller.
In Buying, like anything else, depends on the amount you are prepared to pay for the item.
The total costs should include postage options and method of payment of mutual agreement.
Be well advised by the Feedback of the Seller. A few Negative feedback posts are not necessarily bad, but do scrutinise them and if in doubt pass that Seller by.
In the event a problem occurs with payment, most of the time early communication can be solved amicably.
Warning: Especially on internet auctions, a lot of bogus material is offered. It remains incumbent to all Users to eliminate such listing in favour of a healthy hobby.
Early and healthy pleasant communication either side, should things go wrong, ensures a better outcome all round.
Suitable feedback is an advantage to all Guests and Members
On a personal note. With rapid receding numbers of young collectors, turning your surplus stamps into money will keep philately going for yet a long time. The Hobby of Kings will shift evermore to the adult age group.
Erich Hamm, PO Box 651, Whangarei 0140, New Zealand.
email: - eehamm @ abel.net.nz
