Buying from QVStamps

Complete Buying Guide

This guide explains all the main shopping features on QVStamps and how to use them.

Finding Stamps

There are several ways to find the stamps you are looking for. You can:

• Browse the different stamp categories.
• Search by SG number or specialised catalogue number.
• Search by plate number.
• Search by corner letters.
• Search by postmark.
• Use the QVStamps Stock Explorer to browse stamps in a more traditional album format.

Click a stamp's image or title to open its individual listing. This allows you to see larger images of the front and back of the stamp, read its full description and view all the available information before deciding whether to buy it.

Creating an Account or Signing In

You do not need a QVStamps account to place an order. You can complete your purchase as a guest.

However, creating a free account makes shopping easier and gives you access to additional features.

With a QVStamps account you can:

• Save stamps to your personal Basket or Watch List.
• Move stamps easily between your Basket and Watch List.
• View your previous orders.
• Use the Make an Offer feature on eligible items.
• Complete checkout more quickly because your details can be remembered.

If you already have an account, use the Sign In option and enter your email address and password.

If you do not yet have an account, you can create one at any time. It is free and should only take a few moments.

Adding and Removing Stamps

There are two ways to add or remove stamps from your Basket and Watch List.

1. Clearly Labelled Buttons on an Individual Listing

When you open an individual stamp listing, you will find clearly labelled buttons on the left-hand side of the page.

If the stamp has not yet been selected, the buttons will say:

• Add to Basket
• Add to Watch

After the stamp has been added, the wording automatically changes to:

• Remove from Basket
• Remove from Watch

This makes it clear whether clicking the button will add or remove the stamp.

The pale green border shows that the stamp is currently selected. When you move your mouse over a Remove from Basket or Remove from Watch button, the border turns red as an additional warning that clicking it will remove the stamp.

These labelled buttons are the simplest option if you are unfamiliar with the smaller icons used elsewhere on the website.

2. Quick Basket and Binoculars Icons

On Search Results pages, and within your Basket and Watch List, you will see small Basket and Binoculars icons.

• The Basket icon adds a stamp to or removes it from your Basket.
• The Binoculars icon adds a stamp to or removes it from your Watch List.

The small icons and the clearly labelled buttons perform the same actions. You can use whichever method you find easiest.

Buying One Stamp with Buy It Now

If you only wish to purchase one stamp, you do not need to add it to your Basket first.

Open the individual stamp listing and click the Buy It Now button on the left-hand side of the page.

This takes you directly to the checkout process so that you can complete the purchase immediately.

The Buy It Now option is useful when:

• You only want to purchase one stamp.
• You have already decided which stamp you want.
• You do not need to continue browsing before paying.

Your Basket

Think of your Basket as your personal order summary while you shop.

Click the Shopping Basket or View Basket button at the top right of the page whenever you wish to see your current Basket.

Your Basket shows:

• Every stamp you have selected.
• The current total cost of your potential order.
• Any discounts that have been applied.
• Whether your order qualifies for Buy 5, Get 1 Free.
• Whether your order qualifies for Free UK Postage.
• The option to remove anything you no longer want.
• A Checkout button when you are ready to complete the purchase.

Adding a stamp to your Basket does not mean that you have bought it. You can add or remove stamps as often as you wish before completing checkout.

You can return to the website and continue shopping at any time. Items you have selected will remain in your basket. Many collectors gradually build an order before completing their purchase.

Your Watch List

Your Watch List is a place to save stamps that interest you but which you are not yet ready to buy.

It can be thought of as a personal shortlist or wish list. The Watch List is available to customers who are signed in to their QVStamps account.

From your Watch List you can:

• View all the stamps you have saved.
• Move a stamp directly from the Watch List into your Basket.
• Move a stamp from your Basket back to your Watch List if you change your mind.
• Remove stamps that no longer interest you.

You can use either the Basket and Binoculars icons or the clearly labelled buttons on an individual listing to move and remove stamps.

Nothing in your Watch List has been purchased. A purchase is only made when you complete checkout and payment.

Making an Offer

Some higher-value stamps have a Make an Offer option.

You must be signed in to your QVStamps account to use this feature.

When the Make an Offer option is available, open the individual listing and use the clearly labelled button on the left-hand side of the page.

Enter the amount you would like to offer and follow the instructions shown on the screen.

The Make an Offer option is only displayed on eligible items.

Checking Out

When you are happy with the contents of your Basket, click Checkout.

Before completing the order, please check:

• Your email address.
• Your delivery address.
• That the stamps shown in your order are correct.
• That the displayed total, discounts and postage are correct.

If you are not already signed in, you can sign in to an existing account, create a free account or continue as a guest.

Paying Securely

Payments are processed securely by Stripe, one of the world's leading payment providers.

You can pay using most major debit and credit cards.

Your card details are encrypted during payment and are never stored by QVStamps.

After Your Purchase

Once payment has been completed:

• You will receive an order confirmation by email. If your order includes any Digital Plating Certificates, they will be attached to the email.
• Your stamps will be carefully packed.
• Your order will be dispatched as quickly as possible.

Why Buy Direct from QVStamps Instead of eBay?

Buy 5, Get 1 Free

All orders containing five stamps or more automatically qualify for this offer.

Every time your Basket contains six stamps, the lowest-priced stamp in that group is free.

The offer repeats automatically for every additional group of six stamps. For example, if your Basket contains 18 stamps, the 6th, 12th and 18th stamps when the Basket is sorted by price (highest to lowest) will be free, because those are the lowest-priced stamps in each group of six.

Your Basket automatically calculates the discount and displays the original total, the discounted total and the amount you have saved.

To identify the free stamps easily, change the Basket display to 6 items per row. The Basket is arranged in price order, so the stamp at the far right of each row is the free stamp.

Free UK Postage

All UK orders of £30 or more receive free postage.

Orders up to £50 are normally sent by Royal Mail Second Class.

Orders over £50 are normally sent by Royal Mail Tracked.

Orders over £250 are sent by Royal Mail Special Delivery.

For overseas customers, postage charges are reduced by an amount equivalent to the relevant UK postage benefit.

Digital Plating Certificates

Every plated stamp purchased from QVStamps includes a QVStamps Digital Plating Certificate.

Any Digital Plating Certificates relating to your purchase are attached to your order confirmation email, so there is nothing extra you need to do to receive them.

Lifetime Plating Guarantee

If the plating is ever shown to be incorrect, you will receive a full refund and you keep the stamp.

Much Larger Selection

QVStamps offers a significantly larger selection of stamps than my eBay shop. Thousands of additional items are available exclusively on the website, giving collectors a much wider choice.

Shared Image Rights

When you purchase a stamp from QVStamps, you are also granted shared rights to use the images supplied with that listing for your own personal collection and research.

This means you are welcome to use the images in your own digital catalogue, inventory, album software, insurance records or other personal reference material without having to scan the stamp again yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions