New/unused postage stamps for less than face value

I just ordered some new (unused) 41-cent postage stamps for 34 cents each. That means that the roll of 100 stamps cost $34.00 instead of $41.00 (includes shipping). How is this possible? Ebay. :)

For some time now (at least a year), my younger brother Phillip has been ordering unused postage stamps from eBay for less than face value. Often, the stamps are a cent or two below the current first-class postage rate. For example, my last roll was 39-cent stamps, and I had to add a 2-cent stamp each time I mailed something. However, the stamps were cheap enough that I was still saving several cents on each mailing.

Since I've never ordered anything from eBay myself, I interviewed Phillip to get the scoop on how he finds these great deals (which he passes on to me!).

So, Phillip, how do you find these postage stamp bargains on eBay?

Phillip: I just go to the stamps section, select the U.S. category, and then search terms like "41", "unused", or "new".

How often can you find good deals on unused postage stamps on eBay?

Phillip: Well, whenever someone asks me to order some stamps for them, I start watching for a deal. Sometimes it takes a week or two before one pops up. As far as getting them for 34 cents [for a 41-cent stamp] -- well, that might take a couple weeks. That's a really good deal.

And that price includes shipping, right?

Phillip: Yes. Actually, I got free shipping on those.

Tell me about how you do the bidding. Do you wait until the last minute to place bids?

Phillip: I don't have the time to monitor the auctions, so I just put in a maximum bid -- an amount that I think would still be a good deal.

Do you have to order large amounts of stamps to get these good prices?

Phillip: Not really. The 34-cent ones I just got -- it was 3 rolls (300 stamps). It just depends. I get them and sell them to friends or family members for what I paid.

How many times have you ordered stamps on eBay?

Phillip: I'm not sure... about 8 times maybe.

Do you have any advice about what not to do? Has it always worked out well for you?

Phillip: Well definitely check the feedback for the seller -- but that's a given on eBay. I did order one time from someone who had really good feedback, but he never shipped my order. He had like 800 feedbacks and it was 99% positive, so I don't know what happened. I just got my money refunded through PayPal, and it was no big deal.

Thanks for taking the time to answer all of my questions, Phillip. Now, I'm going to go blog about this... ;)

Visit Crystal's blog [1] for more money-saving tips! :)