Suggestions For Purchasing Classic Post Cards On the Internet

06.08.11 / greeting cards / Author: Amanda Hills / Comments: (0)
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As a power seller of postcards on eBay, I have written down some simple but relevant points which I consider may be helpful to collectors of postcards devoted to the field of deltiology, wanting to buy quality postcards on eBay. Apart from selling postcards, I have also been buying and collecting them for around two decades and, I found that it would be nice to highlight some features which buyers could utilize to determine if a seller is reliable and trustworthy.

Hope you can use the information below to add to your own personal judgment while purchasing postcards on eBay.

1. While purchasing postcards which a collector desires, one of the most important feature is the condition of the postcard. A honest dealer will provide high clarity photographs of the front and reverse of the postcard and provide a detailed written description about the condition of the postcard, clearly mentioning about any fault present on the postcard. If a seller has words such as “please look at the posted photo to figure out the condition of the postcard” then there is reason for you to be careful. Most of the times the uploaded photos of the postcard are too small or of low resolution and makes it difficult for the buyer to look for any faults such as creases or nicks.

2. A nice dealer will clearly outline the time frame within which a purchased postcard will be mailed out to the buyer, and will stick to the committed time schedule, making sure that the postcard is shipped on time. Delays in receiving your postcard can be quite frustrating. When you purchase a postcard you do not want to wait for eternity worrying about the fate of your postcard, wondering why it has still not reached you. So stick to a seller who is prompt about the shipping time.

3. Does the seller communicate promptly and courteously with the buyer? A good seller will reply promptly to any queries posted by buyers or would be prospective buyers. The sellers reply should be courteous and accommodating.

4. Does the Seller provide free shipping to US locations when shipping is from the US. Preferably buy from sellers who provide free shipping since you can buy multiple postcards at different time frames without incurring the additional shipping costs for the same.

5. Beware of dealers who derive a chunk of their profit margin by charging excessive shipping and handling fees. Also look for sellers who allow you to bundle up multiple purchases and give you a shipping discount by allowing combined shipping.

6. The last thing a postcard collector wants to see is a damaged postcard. It would definitely be heart rendering if you were to open up your mail and find that the enclosed postcard which you purchased was mailed without adequate protection, leading it to be bent, dented, creased etc. A good seller will make sure to provide ample protection for the postcard during its journey in the mailing process, by using a plastic cover, a rigid photo mailer, or cardboard stiffener to ensure that you receive the postcard in the same condition as you saw it when you bought it.

7. For a buyer another very important thing to look out for is a buyer friendly return policy. Many times you will see sellers write “As is” or “Absolutely No Returns” or “Returns Accepted only if item is very different from the description” . This should raise a red flag. A good seller would provide an unconditional return back policy with full money refund including original shipping costs.

8. Does the dealer use high quality stationery to provide for protection during the shipping process ?. Many sellers will provide free shipping, and then mail the postcard to the buyer in a plain envelope. This results in the postcard getting damaged during the transit process. A good seller will ensure that the best protection is provided to the postcard during the shipping process by using archival plastic sleeves, and the use of a rigid cardboard mailer, which would guarantee a safe passage to the postcard.

9. Does the seller overcharge for the shipping ? Do they allow combined shipping pricing discounts ? Avoid sellers who charge very high amounts for the shipping, since obviously they are trying to make a chunk of their profit disguised in the shipping costs.

10. It is always nice to get a confirmation about the precise nature of the product you are buying. For example if you are buying a vintage postcard you do not want to end up receiving a reproduction or if you are buying a real photo postcard you do not want to receive a printed/gel postcard. Make sure you buy postcards from dealers who go the extra mile by providing you with a written guarantee to back up what they are selling by writing words such as ‘Guaranteed Vintage Postcard’ or “Guaranteed RPPC”.

I hope these salient features highlighted by me will come of use to you while making your buying decisions. I invite you to check out my store on eBay where I have thousands of postcards from USA and from all over the world.

The article author is a collector of post cards and stamps and runs a store. To find out more you might visit the postcard gallery for varieties of Real Photo Post Cards, Topographical postcards from U.S.A. and from all over the world, Greetings Post Cards etc.