So you think you'd like to start selling stamps on Ebay? I've been selling for about 5 years and I've had a great time (mostly), and met a lot of nice people (mostly).  I'd like to offer the following suggestions to make your selling experience both positive and profitable ( hopefully ). ;-)

1. Show your item(s) clearly. This is important!  Do not, I repeat, do not use digital camera pictures ! They may be great for cuckoo clocks, jewelry etc. but are almost certain death for stamp sales. The reason being, they generally are too blurry, small or mis-colored. If you're a collector you'll already see where I'm heading. To the non-collector: collectors are concerned with a variety of factors when buying stamps. If they can't see clearly what they are bidding on they will generally not bid, or bid VERY low. If you're serious about selling stamps, invest in a flat-bed scanner. You don't need one with all the whistles and bells, just a plain scanner that will hold up to an 8 1/2 x 11 page. Scan individual items at at least 150% of size. Resolution - I generally use 300 to 360. Light intensity - experiment. The default setting may be too bright or too low. Try 2-3 passes with different intensities, then keep the best one. Why all this fuss about scans? I've given 1 reason already. Another is that there are "specialists" lurking out there, looking for scarce varieties. My favorite area for selling is classic Denmark 1851 to about 1900. Due to the printing process used there are many design variations - a dent in a line, a small white spot within a solid area of the design, a slight thickening or thinning of a line etc. To the average collector these mean nothing, but to a specialist they are "gold". The beauty of it is, if you have large and clear scans, you don't have to know about the variety - the stamp sells itself. All it takes is at least 2 people who spot the variety ( trust me, they're looking for them ) and up goes the price.   Ready to buy that scanner now?  ;-)

2. Write an HONEST and accurate description. If you're not already a collector or dealer, and therefore without stamp knowledge, you'd be better off not trying to sell stamps. The old "I don't know anything about stamps, but these were from my Uncles estate" or wherever, really won't cut it. Right off it smells like a scam. Identify the stamp by country and catalog number. If you're using Scott's, Facit, Michel, whatever, include that. Ex. Denmark: Sc# 79. Sweden: Fa 12e. Indicate whether it's unused or used. If unused, is it hinged or never hinged? Use standard abbreviations: NH-never hinged, LH-lightly hinged, no hinge remnant, HR-hinge remnant. OG-original gum. So if our Denmark stamp is in post-office fresh condition, it would read : Denmark: Sc# 79 NH OG. If it had been hinged repeatedly : Denmark: Sc# 79, OG HR. If it's been cancelled, call it used. Condition: Do not say "see scan". If there are any faults, especially on the back, describe them. Is there a thin spot? Damaged or missing perforation tooth/teeth?  Small tear or crease? Say so. It will save you time having to send the stamp to the buyer and then having to refund their money later. You won't get top dollar, but the buyer knows what their getting, and you won't have to give a refund for an undescribed fault. Also, buyers will learn that they can buy from you with confidence. 100% positive feed-back is a nice thing to have. Items or large lots sold "as is". Use this sparingly. If you've already described any defects in the stamp/large lot then use it. Use it too often, however, and you'll get a reputation for selling junk, and when a bidder sees your name at the top of the page they'll click right out again without looking at the lot. I can think of at least 3 regular "as is" sellers that I will not waste my time with.. Item specifics: If you can identify the stamp as coming  from a specific printing or plate position, or as having a particular plate flaw, say so. Give all the information you can.

3. Have realistic shipping charges. I've seen a few sellers who offer damaged or cheap stamps with a $5 shipping charge. Don't get greedy. If you're shipping in a plain envelope with a recycled cereal box cardboard filler, $1-1.50 for US shipping is reasonable (which includes a little for the time invested scanning the stamp, writing the sales page etc. ) For foreign airmail- $1.50-2.00. If you offer insurance ( US only ) mention the price. The same goes for registered mail. If you're using special mailing items ( padded, cardboard, etc.) include that in your shipping costs along with postage, but mention that you ship in whichever special container so buyers know you're not inflating the price.

4. Tell bidders how they can pay you. PayPal gets the lion's share for payments. It's fast, convenient and safe. The down-side is that they charge a basic fee plus percentage. However, you're guaranteed payment. Other means are check, money order, credit card. For US buyers I accept PayPal, personal or bank check, or money order. For foreign bidders, PayPal, or a check in US $$ drawn on a US bank( no foreign banks). Ebay no longer allows cash as a payment option. ( Too many scams? ) However, some foreign bidders may have to pay cash because PayPal isn't available in all countries. If so, request that they send it by REGISTERED mail so that it can be traced and delivery ( or non-delivery ) verified by them and you. If they want to send it by regular mail, warn them that it is AT THEIR RISK.

5. Have realistic start prices. Don't expect to get top dollar for common or damaged items. It ain't gonna happen. If you have a start price of, say, $5 for a $15 catalog price stamp, most likely the only thing you'll get is a bill from Ebay for the listing fee, and no bidders. On the other hand, if you're offering a $100 catalog stamp in VF condition ( see the Guide on "Grading Stamps" ) a start price of 10-15 % of catalog is reasonable. Serious collectors are attracted by top quality stamps. Again, all it takes is 2 or more serious bidders to send that final price way up.  Suggestion : do some research. Find a few sellers who have different shipping charges, different % start prices etc. and track them by "watch this lot" in My Ebay. See how well they do or don't do.

6. Plan your selling time to target the bidders. Meaning what, exactly? A lot of bidders wait until the final few minutes to bid. If the lot closes while they're at work, they can't bid. I've found that week-ends and evenings have the largest number of available bidders. ( pretty obvious, eh? ) Example: I sell Danish stamps. I've found that the largest number of bidders are in Denmark ( obviously), the US, and Germany. Happily, Denmark and Germany are in the same time zone. Remember that start times in Ebay are Pacific time. So if I start a lot Saturday at 12 noon Pacific time, it will start at 3 pm in New York, and 9 pm in Denmark/Germany. Lots of available bidders desperately trying to beat out the other bidders to make that last minute purchase, and putting in higher bids, hoping to not get out-bid.

7. Notify winning bidders of the total cost including postage as soon as possible after the sale. Ebay offers service in this area, or you can send your own email. I prefer the latter - the personal touch. I list the lots won along with price, the total of the lots, and final cost including shipping by airmail or registered mail. I also include my snail-mail address for those making cash/check payments.

8. Ship the lots promptly after payment is received/check clears. The buyer wants their new purchases as soon as possible, and appreciates fast service. When you ship, send an email letting them know it's on the way. I include a short hand-written thank-you note in English, German or (faulty) Danish with the lots. The personal touch counts. They see that they are more than just another anonymous buyer, and might just become regular bidders on your lots. I've received many nice return emails from "customers" in response to the foreign language notes, and have made several "philatelic" email- pals ( like pen-pals) in  Europe and elsewhere. 

9. If you have problems : non-paying bidder, lot not received by bidder, etc. Try to settle any problems through Ebay. Read the "Frequently asked questions" and the specific articles about your particular problem.  They've heard it all many times and have good answers.

10. Have fun. You probably won't get rich, but you can sure meet a lot of interesting people, most of them nice ( there's always a few of the 'other' kind wherever you go) .  

11. Check out one of my sales pages. I generally have some lots for sale on the week-ends during the cooler weather ( stamp collecting weather). They aren't fancy, with backgrounds or borders that take a long time to load, and they might be a little wordy. But I tried to give all the information a perspective bidder would need regarding all the things listed above. So far it's worked for me. Do a search for ' fiddlerstrings '. If you have any questions ( that I can answer ) feel free to contact me through Ebay.