How to Sell Stamps Online

Selling stamps used to be exclusively sold face to face at stamp meetings or auctions. The community was slow to adopt internet selling and buying but trust is slowly being built up and there are some businesses turning over a substantial amount of money every year selling stamps online.

Below are some places that you can both buy and resell what you buy, or sell your existing collection or inventory.

Ebay

There are always huge lots of stamps for sale on ebay. At the beginning if you just plan to sell these in smaller lots or as art stamps, who you buy them from really doesn’t matter. Just know that if you’re buying them from another stamp seller they have most likely been picked through. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t find a more valuable stamp n the lot ($25.00 – $50.00) but the chances are significantly lower.

If you want to purchase a lot that may have some valuable stamps in it that you can sell individually ($5.00 – $50.00 and above) it’s important to note a few things when looking at albums.

An album may be relatively full with stamps but if you notice spaces (see below) it’s likely that either the dealer or original owner has removed a stamp of higher value. If you’re buying from a seller, even if they say the item is unchecked, proceed with caution and know that you may be buying an album of lower value stamps and bid accordingly.

If it’s an album of all the same stamps it’s a good reselling opportunity to break them into smaller lots.

Etsy

Some of the same rules apply here as well. In my experience there haven’t been great lots for higher value stamps but it can be a great source for stamps that you can break down into “art lots” or world lots.

Hipstamp

This is a great and popular site for stamp sales and is worth checking out. However it does attract a more devoted buyer so prices may be higher which actually works out better when you go to sell them.

Online Auction Sites

I have bought my best lots from online auctions at much lower prices than on ebay. Since 2020 I have noticed the competition and prices rise significantly but you also get the best lots as well.

The best finds for me are when stamp lots are in the middle of other auctions so always do a keyword search and check the auction to see what other items are also for sale within that auction. If it’s an entire stamp auction the prices will be much higher so be prepared and set your budget. There will be many more bidders who know way more than you and with deeper pockets.

You can also submit lots to auction houses to sell on your behalf. This is a great strategy if you have a stamp or collection with higher values as the auction houses have huge followings and can usually garner top prices for you.

I usually use auctionzip.com

Your Own Website

There are many stamp sellers who have set up their own websites and have built very strong reputations over time for providing quality stamps. From my experience they offer both low ($10 and up) to very high end stamps $5,000 and up). Each dealer seems to specialise in different areas.

Depending if you specialise, have your own collection to sell, or are a reseller, this could be a good option. It is possible to build a following through ebay at first and then send buyers to your own website. Using social media definitely helps to find your customers. There is a large stamp and collecting community on platforms like Instagram and groups on Facebook. Many groups on Facebook will allow links to your own site and to share specific items for sale.

I will be adding some content to this site down the track that will go a bit more deeply into creating your own website and social media strategies.

In the meantime check out the suggestions above and start selling stamps, one at a time, sale by sale.