Postage Stamps on ebay

[1 inaMIllion]

Looking back on a few old questions on Law, I came across one concerning the sale of (current) postage stamps on Ebay - there was a history illegal dealing by the seller making the goods suspect. However, as I use a lot of postage stamps for my mail-order business, I did look on ebay out of curiosity. There are several items of new stamps at very low starting prices. If a business were to be left with quantities of postage stamps, then I can understand them being sold at a discount and I would be interested in buying. BUT I would not like to be involved in anything illegal that could have repercussions on my business. Can these deals on ebay be the equivalent of buying off "someone down the pub"?

[dzug]

From what I can see, most of the ones for sale have probably come from stamps collected for charity - dealer pays a small amount per kilo, sorts through them, picks out those that have missed the franking machine, soaks them off, dries them and sells them on e-bay. Most are honest enough to say 'ungummed'.

It's YOU who are committing an offence if you use them - he's 'just selling to a collector, guv'. On the other hand, undetectible if a bit fiddly gluing them on envelopes to send.

Few businesses buy stamps these days - most use franking machines (and get a discount on postage for doing so). Those that do legitimately buy stamps can sell them back to the Royal Mail for a small commission and are unlikely to sell them elsewhere at a discount.

Anyone selling large quantities (eg sheets or books) of really unused current stamps on e-bay has probably nicked them - or got them from someone who has.

[1 inaMIllion]

You do rather confirm my suspicions, thanks.

[Georgiesmum]

Yes, sounds like it. I dont know how they could get them at a discount price .