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  We always promptly reveal the reserve price   on any request, but never volunteer it. I'd like to learn more about the finer arts of reserves. I've used them in the past, but never on items with literal negotiable value. Regards,                           PO Box 248 Bob Niland                         Enterprise This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it '; document.write( '' ); document.write( addy_text36229 ); document.write( '<\/a>' ); //-->\n This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it         Kansas which, due to spam, is:            67441-0248 USA email4rjn AT yahoo DOT com http://www.access-one.com/rjn Unless otherwise specifically stated, expressing personal opinions and NOT speaking for any employer, client or Internet Service Provider.

Just discovered three complete sheets of 1980s stamps in a drawer. Various factors will influence whether they go on eBay, but if they do... Obviously, it makes no sense to sell them for less than face value. We might as well break 'em up, lick 'em, and stick 'em on mail. And, yes, I've seen sheets of unused stamps close for LESS than face value, when auctioned by people who are clearly not minding the store. In the 1980's, the first class rate started out at 15 cents, then went to 18¢, 20¢, 22¢ and then 25¢.  Many people don't want to bother mix-matching these together to make up the current 37¢ rate.  Often the value that they have will not match the current rate anyway, so to use the stamps the must either over frank the letter or get even more small demonination stamps to use with them. So they are quite willing to sell them for under face, if that is all that someone is willing to pay for them. = Eric

Just discovered three complete sheets of 1980s stamps in a drawer. Various factors will influence whether they go on eBay, but if they do... I think I'd go with the low starting price and a face-value reserve (unless your research shows it's a more rare stamp likely to go higher). Not sure about revealing the reserve in the de_script_ion-  as a buyer, I often avoid reserve priced auctions entirely, and appreciate having the reserve revealed right in the de_script_ion. In the case of something like uncanceled stamps though, I'd expect most serious bidders would assume the reserve would be at least face value, and not be put off by it. Serious stamp collectors are likely to place a higher value on a full sheet of stamps, especially ones that are older.   As full sheets become broken up to sell the individual stamps, remaining full sheets become rarer and thus more valuable to anyone who collects in that form. Unless of course it's a very common stamp, like the current flag stamps.  In that case there may be little value to a full sheet. Isn't eBay fun..?         BobR