Dave Miedema is old-school. Here's why.

[gingi79]

Any truth to the rumor Dave originally purchased said stamps with Wampum? Considering his knowledge base, I'm sure he obtained said wampum by selling "Real British Tea...brewed fresh in Boston Harbor"

Sorry for the jest Dave but I know your sense of humor would enjoy it

[trsent]

It is very common for old stamp dealers (a dying breed) to use old stamps for postage instead of trying to sell them. You usually can find stamp dealers selling old stamps for 50-80% of face value, depending how low face value of the stamps you want. The stamp market has been a weak market for I'd guess 25-30 years now. I bought a shop around 1994 called "Hawthorn Stamp & Coin" and promptly changed the name to "Hawthorn Cards & Coins". We pulled all stamps from the store and we didn't lose any business because of it!

It is amazing to see Dave pay full price at the post office to ship a box instead of using usps.com to ship, which gives a discount on shipping and built in automatic tracking, but it is neat to see someone still using the old stamps.

[sox83cubs84]

Gingi:

You're right...I DID get a kick out of that.

Joel:

I don't have enough to ship to warrant a usps.com account (not to mention no printer to print postage labels from), but I actually enjoy my local Post Office in limited doses. All the clerks know me and get along with me...one middle-aged woman even wants to hear any new political jokes I've discovered.

Also, there are many instances, if you're not super-picky about what you want, where eBay also has sellers that offer old stamps at below face value. I also agree with your comments about the stamp market. Starting in the 1950s or maybe a hair ealier, collectors purchased commemoratives in droves, expecting a huge investing payoff down the road. So many bought stamps, however, that the market became oversupplied, and the investment angle all but disappeared. (Sounds like baseball cards now).

Dave M.

[trsent]

Gingi:

You're right...I DID get a kick out of that.

Joel:

I don't have enough to ship to warrant a usps.com account (not to mention no printer to print postage labels from), but I actually enjoy my local Post Office in limited doses. All the clerks know me and get along with me...one middle-aged woman even wants to hear any new political jokes I've discovered.

Also, there are many instances, if you're not super-picky about what you want, where eBay also has sellers that offer old stamps at below face value. I also agree with your comments about the stamp market. Starting in the 1950s or maybe a hair ealier, collectors purchased commemoratives in droves, expecting a huge investing payoff down the road. So many bought stamps, however, that the market became oversupplied, and the investment angle all but disappeared. (Sounds like baseball cards now).

Dave M.

Dave, anyone can open as usps.com account. It is easier than opening an eBay account. Easier than opening an account with your bank. No big deal.

Yes, stamps can be bought on eBay below face and most stamp dealers sell bulk lots below face.

I'm happy to hear someone enjoys your political humor.

[gingi79]

Dave should philatelists be on the lookout for an Inverted Jenny on future packages? Because if so, I'd love to buy EVERYTHING you have.

[island_style]

FWIW, I have been buying from Dave for the past several years with complete satisfaction. As you know, he doesn't send pictures of the items he sells. But, his descriptions on the items I've bought are true. My collection has grown exponentially thanks to Dave.

Each package arrives with postage stamps dominating the box. On occassion he has sent an SASE to have the stamps returned so that he can give them to stamp collectors.

Dave, keep doing what you do. I look forward to many more decorated boxes in the future.

Ron

[marino13]

Dave should philatelists be on the lookout for an Inverted Jenny on future packages? Because if so, I'd love to buy EVERYTHING you have.

I will pay for one Invert Jenny and then I will use the funds from it, to purchase the rest of your collection, also.

[sox83cubs84]

Invert Jenny's? BWAH-HA-HA-HA-HAH!

Dave M.

[frikativ54]

Dave Miedema is awesome. I got my package with assorted stamps yesterday.

Go, Dave!

[Samets]

It is very common for old stamp dealers (a dying breed) to use old stamps for postage instead of trying to sell them. You usually can find stamp dealers selling old stamps for 50-80% of face value, depending how low face value of the stamps you want. The stamp market has been a weak market for I'd guess 25-30 years now. I bought a shop around 1994 called "Hawthorn Stamp & Coin" and promptly changed the name to "Hawthorn Cards & Coins". We pulled all stamps from the store and we didn't lose any business because of it!

It is amazing to see Dave pay full price at the post office to ship a box instead of using usps.com to ship, which gives a discount on shipping and built in automatic tracking, but it is neat to see someone still using the old stamps.

Do you still own and run that shop?

I haven't been there in years but I've sold some gold coins to that store when I used to collect coins...