For sellers

Seller FAQ

Common questions about selling a stamp collection to Big Sky Stamps. If something isn’t covered here, email Jason and we’ll get back to you.

What kinds of collections do you consider?

All of them, as long as they’re in decent shape. Single-country specialists, worldwide accumulations, US classics, British colonies, German states, postal history, covers, FDCs, modern mint, classic used — we’ll take a look. Albums, binders, glassine envelopes, shoeboxes — organization isn’t required. We do the sorting.

What does "decent shape" mean?

Dry, intact, and free of mold, mildew, or significant water damage. Pages can be loose, gum can be uneven, cancellations can be heavy — none of that disqualifies a collection. What we can’t work with is material that’s been damaged by moisture, smoke, or pests, or that’s been heavily “worked over” (gummed back together, restored without disclosure, etc.).

Do you really do free valuations?

Yes. There’s no charge for an inquiry, a preliminary valuation, or a written offer. If we want to see the collection in hand to make a firm offer and you ship it to us, the only cost on your end is the outbound shipping (which we reimburse if we end up purchasing). If we don’t buy, we ship it back at our cost.

How do I send my collection safely?

A few habits that protect the material in transit:

Pack tight, no loose room. Anything that can shift in the box can damage corners and edges. Fill empty space with crumpled paper or bubble wrap.
Albums and binders go flat, not on their spines, with cardboard above and below.
Loose stamps in glassines stay in glassines. Don’t consolidate them — sorting is our job, not yours.
Double-box for valuable collections. An inner box that fits the material snugly, then a larger outer box with 2 inches of cushioning all around.
Use a shipping method with tracking and insurance. USPS Priority Mail with insurance is fine for most. For high-value collections, USPS Registered Mail is the gold standard — slower, but the chain of custody is unmatched.
Don’t mark the box “stamps” or “collectibles.” A neutral exterior keeps the package boring to anyone handling it.

We’ll send specific shipping instructions and our address once we’ve agreed to receive a collection.

How long does valuation take?

For preliminary valuations from photos: typically 2–3 business days after we receive your inquiry. For firm offers on shipped material: usually 1–2 weeksfrom arrival, depending on the collection’s size and complexity. Larger or more specialized collections take longer because they deserve careful work, not a glance.

How do you pay?

Most sellers we work with prefer either a check by mail or an ACH bank transfer. We can also do PayPal or Zelle for smaller transactions. Payment goes out within a few business days of you accepting our offer.

What if I don’t like the offer?

No hard feelings. We return the collection at our expense, packed at least as carefully as you sent it. We’ll explain how we arrived at the offer if you’d like the context for shopping it elsewhere.

I’m settling an estate. Can you help?

Yes, this is a meaningful share of what we do. We’re used to working with executors, attorneys, and family members who didn’t collect themselves and may not know what they’re looking at. Use the inquiry form to start, or email jason@bigskystamps.comdirectly if you’d like to discuss the situation first.

Will you travel to see a large collection in person?

For collections of significant size or value, yes — we can come to you within reasonable distance of Montana. Mention it in your inquiry and we’ll work it out together.

Ready to start?

Send us photos and a few details about your collection. We’ll be in touch within a few business days.

Start an inquiry →