All about packets of stamps!

Packets of all different stamps can be a useful and quick way to build your collection. This guide speaks about things to watch for when buying packets.

It is important to read the description!

Does size matter?
-generally the larger the packet from a country or area, the more likely it will begin to include better stamps. As an example a packet of 1200 different Canadian stamps should have some better value stamps in it than a packet of 500 different.
-the larger the packet, the more you’ll pay per stamp. This goes hand in hand with the fact that larger packets should start to have better material in them

Things to be careful about when buying packets:
-be careful about what is counted as different. For example, some packet makers count a regular stamp and a booklet stamp of the same design as different. In fact I’ve seen Canadian packets where the producer counted every different type of straightedge caused by a booklet as a different stamp
-generally different perforations are counted as different, as are regular and coil stamps that have the same face design
-some packet makers will include back of the book material. Usually airmails, postage dues etc are expected and included. Sometimes packet makers will include precancels, perfins, or revenues as different stamps
-generally mass produced packets will have less desirable stamps in them. By this I mean, to make 100 identical packets of 500 different stamps, one has to have kicking around bundles of 100 of the 500 stamps. Generally this will exclude better stuff. Small volume packets, often made by collectors from their duplicates, can have  better average material in them
-generally you will see pictures of highlights of the packet and not all the stamps in the packet. In this case make sure the description gives an idea of the material that you can’t see

It is always worthwhile to check the seller’s feedback, it too will tell you a lot about the seller and how they handle any issues that have arisen.