Stamp exchange 2012
If you are interested in exchanging stamps with me, you have come to the right place.
This page contains the terms I’m willing to make stamp exchanges with anyone interested. PLEASE, READ THE BELOW RULES THOROUGHLY – IT WILL TAKE ROUGHLY 5-10 MINUTES OF YOUR TIME. I know this page has lots of details, but I believe good and clear “terms of trade” make stamp exchange more fun for all participants. To date roughly 300 stamp exchanges have been done successfully, and number of exchanges increases monthly. Details of past exchanges can be viewed below (for the current year), or by visiting Stamp Exchange archives for years 2010 and Stamp Exchange archives for year 2011.
How the exchange goes
Finally a small disclaimer: I take no responsibility if the exchange letters or their contents get lost or stolen in transit. Fortunately this has occurred only few times; most have been covers traveling from Finland to India. By default I sent all responses using Finnish Economy International rate (using mainly recent commemoratives to pay postage) – covers should travel all around the world in 10-20 working days depending on their destination. If you want something faster (like Priority mail, delivery in 4-10 working days) or more secure (like Registered letter, or Registered and signed delivery), then be prepared to pay any extra costs using PayPal (priority mail is roughly 2x more expensive, and registered/signed mail is from 7€ upwards even for 20g letter).
So to sum it up…The goal of the exchange is to be FUN, FAST and SIMPLE way to swap unnecessary duplicate stamps to something hopefully more useful. Follow the guidelines presented above, and you’ll do fine. That’s all there is… Please remember to check the contents of this page periodically for any possible updates / changes in rules or exchanges. If you have any questions, just leave a question using the form below. And don’t be shy; there is no such thing as stupid question 
best wishes,
-keijo-
January 11th 2012
Summary of exchanges
| ID | Date received | Sender | Exchanged stamps | Total number of stamps | Picture (for me) |
Picture (to sender) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | 2012/01/18 | Danny, Belgium | 52 | 100 |  |
 |
| #2 | 2012/01/18 | Kevin, UK | 98 | 331 |  |
 |
| #3 | 2012/01/19 | Jānis, Latvia | 61 | 65 |  |
 |
| #4 | 2012/01/23 | Seth, UK | 240 | 500 |  |
 |
| #5 | 2012/01/24 | Steven, USA | 69 | 100 |  |
 |
| #6 | 2012/01/25 | Romeo, Canada | 693 | 1500 |  |
 |
| #7 | 2012/01/26 | Anthony C, USA | 52 | 102 |  |
 |
| #8 | 2012/01/26 | Diane K, USA | 30 | 102 |  |
 |
| #9 | 2012/02/1 | Alyn, Canada | 25 | 52 |  |
 |
| #10 | 2012/02/3 | Peter, Australia | 48 | 80 |  |
 |
| #11 | 2012/02/6 | Slavko,Canada | 83 | 150 |  |
 |
| #12 | 2012/02/6 | Hank, New Zealand | 7 | 17 |  |
 |
| #13 | 2012/02/8 | Fred, UK | 44 | 100 |  |
 |
| #14 | 2012/02/8 | Adi, Croatia | 49 | 140 |  |
 |
| #15 | 2012/02/8 | Titus, USA | 206 | 505 |  |
 |
| #16 | 2012/02/8 | Steven, USA | 70 | 100 |  |
 |
| #17 | 2012/02/8 | Scott M, USA | 260 | 360 |  |
 |
| #18 | 2012/02/9 | Jänis, Latvia | 85 | 100 |  |
 |
| #19 | 2012/02/9 | Seth, UK | 137 | 576 |  |
 |
| #20 | 2012/02/9 | Mary, Australia | 65 | 165 |  |
 |
| #21 | 2012/02/15 | Jeannette, Netherlands | 91 | 150 |  |
 |
| #22 | 2012/02/15 | Allan, UK | 27 | 100 |  |
 |
| #23 | 2012/02/15 | Tomislav, Croatia | 28 | 45 |  |
 |
| #24 | 2012/02/20 | Romano, Croatia | 60 | 100 |  |
 |
| #25 | 2012/02/20 | Janis, Latvia | 108 | 150 |  |
 |
| #26 | 2012/02/22 | Diana K, USA | 31 | 155 |  |
 |
| #27 | 2012/02/22 | Steven, USA | 64 | 100 |  |
 |
| #28 | 2012/04/25 | Seth, UK | 207 | 800 |  |
 |
| #29 | 2012/04/25 | Jänis, Latvia | 126 | 200 |  |
 |
| #30 | 2012/04/25 | Jänis, Latvia | 105 | 540 |  |
 |
| #31 | 2012/04/30 | Steven, USA | 87 | 103 |  |
 |
#32 | 2012/04/30 | Romeo, Canada | 71 | 375 |  |
 |
#33 | 2012/04/30 | John C, UK | 84 | 111 |  |
 |
#34 | 2012/04/30 | Anthony, USA | 67 | 121 |  |
 |
#35 | 2012/04/30 | Jeannette, Netherlands | 120 | 210 |  |
 |
#36 | 2012/05/07 | Wayne, Canada | 34 | 63 |  |
 |
#37 | 2012/05/08 | Maulik, Canada | 20 | 50 |  |
 |
#38 | 2012/05/08 | Romano, Croatia | 115 | 200 |  |
 |
#39 | 2012/05/08 | Graham, USA | 111 | 255 |  |
 |
#40 | 2012/05/08 | Iulian, Romania | 26 | 50 |  |
 |
| #41 | 2012/05/12 | Lambros, Sweden | 40 | 102 |  |
 |
#42 | 2012/05/14 | David J, UK | 113 | 303 |  |
 |
want postally uswed only, no U.S.
Hello Keijo,
I am new to reading your blog, and have just again started collecting stamps after a 40 year lapse (!), so I have a lot of catching up to do. I will be taking part in your stamp exchange, and I hope it will be satisfactory for both of us. Also, Happy New Year to you, I hope you have a good year.
@James… I hope you re-read the rules/terms of exchange, because you just broke two of them
. Please.
Wishing for used stamps only part is ok; but this piece of information You should tick/select on the information sheet that must be placed with any stamps sent for exchange. If not specified in the printed information sheet, I will sent mixed by default.
As for wishing no U.S… This exchange has one very clear rule, and that is no wish lists or exclusion lists (by country,topic etc). The exchange has very specific set of rules that define what You get in return – such as commemorative for commemorative. As far as countries go, by default I will never place stamps from senders country of origin. So if You are from US you will not get US stamps from me; but there may be odd stamp from Canada or Mexico, and usually there’s a variety of countries worldwide represented.
The reasons why these (and other) rules/terms exist has been discussed several occasions (on archived exchange pages for 2010 and 2011). I expect everyone wishing to take part on the exchange to follow them – that’s the only way to keep things running smoothly for everyone.
@Allan… Happy to have some new collectors aboard.
Just to notify everyone that I’ve converted the rules/terms of exchange as SlideShare-presentation.
I hope this change makes the it all much more easier to read / digest (at least this page got a whole lot shorter
).
Keijo, great to know your exchange is back. Just to know today (after 40 days LOL) I received your letter. Thank you.
@Rafael… Mysterious are the ways of international mail. But better late than never
Hi Keijo — I love the Slideshare. You’ve got a style of presentation / writing that I really enjoy.
Now I just need to pull together 100 quality, used stamps for you!
Mark
Whoa!!…with such magnificent presentation of business…no doubt, high specialized collectors will be knocking to your door Keijo…happy new year 2012 exchange!
Keijo…don’t get me wrong about the word ‘business’…you know what I mean…sorry for any inconvenience, cheers…
Dear Keijo,
I’ve stumbled across your website (and I’m glad I did
) and your stamp exchange page. Could you possibly send me your stamp exchange form? I have a bunch of stamps I wish to exchange. Thank you in advance 
Maria
@Mark… I too love Slideshare (though it did not do 100% perfection in converting all the tiny details of my presentation)
I have to confess I was slightly shocked when the SlideShare-service emailed me later that same day. The above presentation was picked on their daily “popular list”. And now it’s on their weekly popular for “How-to and DIY”-resources with nearly 500 views in less than 2 days… And they say people are not interested in stamp collecting? Bah, humbug…
@Fred… Yep. I understand. A poor choise of words…
Like most collectors I occasionally dream of running a stamp shop/business. But I acknowledge it would never work, and thus I don’t seriously dream about it… I could sell accessories, catalogs etc without any kind of problems. But I would fail miserably in dealing stamp because I would be my best client
@Maria… Just click the orange underlined text with text “print this form” on the above presentation. It will open the printable stamp exchange form (PDF-file).
Keijo,
Maybe I’m just stupid (or my computer is) but I can’t get the PDF to come up. Can you check? It’s probably just me.
Thanks,
Steven
@Steven… The PDF file should be fine. Here’s a direct link to it (just in case SlideShare is doing something funny).
Thanks, that worked.
Steven
Keijo,
Just a word of encouragement on being a stamp dealer. I am not one, but I have a friend of over 50 years that has been a dealer all that time. His collection became his dealer stock, but he always said it was his collection. He has been very successful and now his “collection” includes most worldwide stamps (no census) and many copies of some very nice stamps. I can’t imagine how many saleable and valuable stamps he has. It is many millions. He did it himself by selling from his small shop, at shows and by mail. He now has more stamps than most of us could imagine. It’s a fabulous example of what can be done on your own. He still buys, sells and adds to his “collection” every day.
Hi Keijo,
Hope you had a good new year and are feeling better from your illness.
Like everyone else, I’m quite excited that your stamp exchange is back. Will have to sort some more duplicates for you.
I have a question/request that I hope will not offend. Stamp collecting is becoming an expensive hobby and as I’m currently not working I won’t be able to purchase any more ww lots. But I don’t want to stop collecting though. So my problem is I’m going to be stuck with duplicates that you also already have. Do you know of any other collectors who might be interested in exchanging (maybe one of those you exchange with now)? I’m really looking for someone “reliable” as I’ve read that there are some who might trick you.
Hope I’ve expressed myself well and have not offended you or anyone.
HI, Keijo,
Could you please send me your postal address as I would like to do an exchange with you of Air-Mail stickers.
Regards Hank Ankins.
@Walt Bauer… The art of giving away:that’s what separates dealers from collectors. As an collector I would have very hard time from giving a nice item I have found for my collection. As for dealer, it’s something they are expected (and have to) do in order to survive.
@Mary… So sorry to hear about your situation… As I’ve been collecting on a (tiny) budget for my life, I must disagree with You on stamps being/becoming expensive hobby. True, it can be an endless money pit if you choose so. But it doesn’t have to be like that: I spend $300-400 a year including all the accessories (=mostly stockbooks); and roughly $200 to pay postage for all the exchange covers I sent. That’s less than $2 a day; most people put more money on their daily starbucks or cheeseburger. And I add huge amounts of stamps to my collection every year for the same sum.
So it’s all about making some small choices…. If you want lots and lots of cheap fun, focus on worldwide lots with price tag less than 1 cent per stamp ($10 or less for 1,000 stamps). Pretty much every stamp dealer should have these in their “junky lots” department… And don’t buy more than you need/your budget can handle in one go.
As for other public exchanges and channels… Most stamp related forums (StampBoards, SCF,Stamporama etc) do have exchange chains for their members. They are bit so-so… If all works well they can be lots of fun. If not, then it sucks a bit. But that’s life.
Hope I didn’t offend You either (just trying to share some of my experiences on collecting on budget).
@Hank… Please check (and print) the PDF-file on the slideshare presentation. Looking forward to your sending
Aahh… So that’s your secret – sticking to a budget. Guess I’ll just have to forgo my coffee.
But seriously, you are right, that’s what I should do too. Only thing is I got bitten by this stamp collecting bug that I feel I have to complete my collection ASAP. Not at all possible you would say. And where’s the fun in that, isn’t it?
Thanks for your advice. I wasn’t offended at all.
Will check out stamp forums you’ve mentioned.
One of the reasons I love to read this blog is that it is so polite! There really are no stupid questions here. The replies are always patient and helpful, even if they are somewhat repetitious. This blog stays fresh because worthwhile information needs to be reiterated and updated endlessly. And I end with a quote…
As an alternative to religion and spirituality there are stamps, the quiet ordering of a life, the old-fashioned way of shutting out the world while bestowing it with meaning.
Simon Garfield
The Error World, p. 166
@Carol… Hear, hear…Those make excellent final words for this cold and dark winter day.
Hi Keijo
I was just reading through your posts here and would love to do an exchange with Mary if she is interested. Would you pass along my email to her?
Cheers!
Cathleen
@Cathleen… I know You are ‘thumbs up’ trader (based on the swap we did last year), but I prefer not to pass your details to her for very simple reason… This website (and exchange) is built for one purpose only: my personal playground. If I passed your details to Mary, sooner or later there would be another request, then third, fourth….I simply don’t want to turn this website / exchange into another “stamp traders list”; there are plenty enough of those online already… So please, let’s keep this page for one purpose only: my exchange.
I hope You (and Mary) do understand my decision.
I am stamp collector from Sri Lanka. I collect first day covers
ans used stamps world wide.
Ananda
I would say, as a complement to the above Simon Garfield’s (Carol) quote …’ there is music… and stamps that my heart enjoyed beside the pain and frustration of our lives…’
@Ananda… Hmm… My collection of Sri Lanka stamps could definitely use some fulfilment. Unfortunately I don’t have any FDC’s for exchange, but used stamps I have more than enough
@Fred…. Thank god there’s music. What would life be without it? Absolutely nothing!
And we have a touchdown…. The first exchange covers (#1-2) for this season landed my mailbox today. My compliments to Danny (Belgium) and Kevin (UK). As usual, I found some useful items
Responses to both will be placed on mail in about hours time.
Well I’m glad you were able to use about 1/3 of the stamps I sent you
I do apologise for the crappy cover, but in my tiny local post office I dont think they know what commemorative stamps means :/
@Kev… I think I finally managed to complete many of those long christmas/new year series Dutch Post has issued.
Re cover…. Gold label Machin at least looks somewhat nice compared to labels used elsewhere. Real stamps would be always nicer though
I’ll try the larger post office in town next time, or pick a time when they are not so busy..counter staff might be in a better mood then
Keijo-
I mailed a packet to you today from USA. While trying to determine which stamps to affix to the outside for postage, I learned something about US FOREVER stamps. Yes, you can use them for international postage, even though there is no value number on them.
FOREVER stamps are usually for domestic letters. today they are worth 44cents each. However, on Jan 22 the rates go up, so letters mailed after that, the forever stamp is calculated to have a value of 45 cents each.
Hope you don’t mind receiving mail with this stamps on the cover.
@Diana… Thanks for the tip; I’m looking forward to receiving your packet.
Today’s mail brought a cover (#3) from Jānis, Latvia. Not so surprisingly, most of those nice Latvian stamps will add to my collection
Response cover will be mailed back tomorrow morning.
Hi Keijo, just sent you a small package for exchange. Hope you can use them and that you like the new issues used for the cover.
Cover (#4) from Seth, UK kicks off this week… I found some excellent fulfillment to my 1960s Japan from the lot
Sadly Royal Mail failed to cancel all the London Olympics stamps on top of the cover
Return cover will be placed on mail later today – I hope it fairs better.
Sorry to hear about the lack of postmark but delighted you found so many to keep. That must be my most successful sending so far. Slightly surprised as it felt like a bit of a random mishmash.
By the way, just a small note: from the ‘dates received’ above, it seems the New Year might not have taken effect in Finland!
@Seth… It might have been a random mishmash, but it had lots of stuff I was after. Greece, Japan, UK, Indonesia, Norway…
Good catch with the past dates received list. It’s now fixed.
Todays mail brought two covers from Steven. One lot (#5) for exchange, other for me to keep (with Ajman,Manama etc)
Splendid contents with both – these will keep me busy for few nights. I humbly thank.
Response will be mailed tomorrow morning. I’ll try to find something extra nice for the postage.
Hi Keijo,
I posted a packet of stamps for exchange to you yesterday from Parliament House in Canberra.
Peter Kunz
Canberra
Australia
One gigantic lot (#6) in the mail for today. Lots and lots of useful stuff – and such amazing cover (see the exchange picture; the size of that C$10 whale stamp is HUGE!!!!). My compliments to Romeo – I hope you enjoy the shipment once it arrives.
Response will be mailed in few hours time.
@Peter… That’s great. Looking forward to receiving it.
Hi Keijo. Just to let you know that your package arrived yesterday.
Aside from a couple of Danish definitives, I’m pretty sure I need all of the stamps you sent
A nice boost to my Scandinavian collection which has been sadly lacking.
Two more lots (#7 and #8) arrived; my compliments to Diana and Anthony. Responses to both are already in the mail.
@Kev… That’s excellent news.
Very nice website and presentation üer the stamp exchange. Keep it up.
Many greetings from Switzerland by Frank Weber
Thanks Frank,
Your website is pretty swell too. Didn’t know before the 1936 Olympic stamps were produced in rolls too.
Your website is very nice and I like to exchange sri lankan stamps with you.
Mikram
@Mikram… Sounds great. Please read the terms of exchange (=slideshare presentation on top of this page), and you’ll do fine
Keijo- Your reply arrived today! Thanks! all your sendings were new for me.
Salute keijo!…I’ve just sent an exchange cover, but as always
the wise clerk when he saw the address of the recipient…just told me ‘no, no nice stamps for this guy (?)…here, there you are, a gargantuan of our beautiful queen, sporting an adorable gold colour’ (???)…what! I said…yes! he said…any problem? er…no, no everything is OK!…je,je,je…sorry Keijo, next time I’ll buy the stamps at Stampex…LOL!!!
@Fred… I knew it. Royal Mail had some kind conspiracy against me (and every other stamp collector) – so many of my UK mail arrives without “real” stamps/postmark
Two lots for this week…
Alyns cover (#9) arrived earlier this week, but I was too busy to mail & process it before. Some good stuff in there.
Peter’s cover (#10) arrived in todays mail with very nice special cancel. The only downside was that “postal automation srikes again”, and everything was covered with spray-on postmarks. Not sure whether to laugh or cry?!?
Return covers are already in the mail.
Hi Keijo,
Glad my letter arrived, but the spray cancel is annoying.
Next time I will put the stamps in another place hoping to avoid the spray cancel.
Peter
Canberra
@Keijo,
I am glad you could use some of what I sent. I have already started setting stuff aside for my next packet for you.
Alyn
@Alyn…That’s great news. Looking forward to it.
@Keijo
Sent you a packet of stamps for exchange. Hope you find something you like/need. It’s unfortunate though that the postal clerk was too quick to stick the stamps onto the envelope I didn’t get a chance to pick some nice commemorative ones for you. Will just have to choose the stamps without showing the envelope next time.
Just a quick note to say I sent you another batch for exchange and to apologise for the rather dull stamps on the cover. I’ve tried asking for “commemorative” stamps in the post office before, but since they look at you like they are wondering whether to call the security guard, I now just ask for “picture stamps please”. My man obviously took that to mean pictures of our beloved sovereign! I’ll have to think of another strategy next time…
Two covers (#11 and #12) to kick of this new week. My compliments to Slavko and Hank. Responses are already in the mail.
@Mary & Seth… Such is life
I too was in hunt of proper postage stamps last week, but with pretty poor luck. I tried to acquire some miniature sheets and lick’n’stick stamps, but instead ended up with bunch of “overly cute” self-adhesive valentines day sheets 
Gigantic pile of covers (#13-17) and stamps in todays mail. My compliments to Fred, Adi, Titus, Steven and Scott. All had very good stuff that will add my collection
Responses will be mailed out in hours time.
And three more covers for the day… My compliments to Jänis(#18), Seth (#19) and Mary (#20). Interesting lots from all
Response covers are already in the mail.
Hi Keijo,
I’ve just posted some stamps to you for your exchange. They went airmail on Friday.
Best wishes.
Hi Keijo,
Many thanks for your letter which I received today.
I will send you another one in a few weeks.
Peter Kunz
Canberra
Just received your letter today Keijo. I like all the new stamps you’ve sent me.
Glad you were able to add the postage dues and airmail labels to your collection. If I’m not mistaken I think one was Malaysian and the other Croatian (Hrvatska).
IMPORTANT UPDATE: My stamp exchange goes to IMMEDIATE break for undetermined period of time. For more details about the reasons, please read this post.
Thanks,
-keijo-
I want exchange Chinese stamps,no matter old or new,covered or used.
@Haose…. Like stated on top of this page (and on my previous comment), the exchange is now having a break due to health issues I’m facing.
So now new exchanges (or exchange requests) for the time being, please.
3 exchange lots arrived in todays mail… My compliments to Jeannette, Allan and Tomislav.
Responses to all will be placed on mail tomorrow morning.
greetings,
i am unable to access the form you require be included with exchange packages. could you please attach a copy of it to an email for me?
respectfully,
mike howell
@Mike…. I took the PDF-form offline as for the time being I wont accept new exchange sendings (because of health issues, for more details, please see the “IMPORTANT UPDATE” box on top of this page).
Two lots (#24 & #25) to begin this week; my compliments to Jänis and Romano. Plenty of nice stuff.
I’ll mail your part of the trade later today while going to some blood tests.
Again two lots (#26-27) in the mail. My compliments to Diana and Steven – some good stuff in both.
I’ll mail the responses in half hours time.
Hi Keijo,
Hope you are feeling better. Just received your stamps and I can use a lot of what you sent. I am still putting aside stuff for you. Keep getting better.
Alyn
@Alyn…. That’s great news
As for me… I’m feeling much better right now, but still got a long road ahead before getting back to normal cycle.
hi dear
i am 45 yo tunisian , i collect stamps from all over the world
i will be happy if you accept us to exchange stamps , so that i send you stmaps mint and or used dependetly on waht you collect in return i will be happy to get stamps from your area : finlind , aland , faroe islands , iceland , groeland as i dont have much or dont have at all stamps from the mentioned areas
waiting for your reply
with best regards
@Firas… Please do read the above page.
I like your exchange program. I offer exchange-for-credit at my hobby store but this has that idea beat by a mile. I buy large lots & kiloware and place the dups on the store. The main difference is that I use a % of the value rather than a straight swap. They may choose from any (over 80,000) of those in stock.
BTW, I really like your Captcha program! If you would be willing to share, I would try to put it on my site.
@Dennis… I’ve come across with few similar “exchange-for-credit” systems, but always considered them somewhat complex and time consuming because of catalogue value staring. At least for me it really doesn’t matter if the item is listed either at 0.20 or $2.
As for the Captcha-program… It’s custom made “hack” in theme, so I can say it will not work straight off the box with osCommerce. But I’ll email you about this tomorrow or wednesday; I’m sure we can work out something mutually beneficial.
Hellp my name is william curtis, i am 25 and just getting back into stamp collecting, i used to collect with my grandfather abot 15 yrs ago, im recently buying my grandfathers collection from my grandmother, and i can across your website, my grandfather had contacts all over the world who would trade stamps with him im looking for the same, i can get is poatage stamps, but i would like to get stamPs from all over the world and more specofically europe, if you could get back to me or let me know of anyother programs like i have mentioned please let me know
With best regards
William Curtis
@William… Like said elsewhere on the blog, I have plans on re-opening my exchange soon (but I’m not giving any specific timeline or promises on precise moment).
As for other sites / places to exchange stamps… Please do read some of the earlier discussions / comments on this page (as well as on archived exchange pages of previous years, and Q&A-section). They contain several links as well as bunch of solid advice for “exchange newbies”.
Just a quick update… My stamp exchange is now back.
Hi Keijo,
I have sent a selection of stamps today. I hope they get to you soon and I hope you need some of them aswel.
I have put some nice stamps on the cover, but unfortunately they wouldnt cancel by hand in my local post office.
@John… Thanks for letting me know. I’m already looking forward to digging into it
Hi Keijo. I enjoyed browsing your page with fellow collectors worldwide. I do collect stamps worldwide, but I do have lots of Philippine used stamps. I intend to swap my duplicates to those interested and with you too.Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks and Godbless with your family!
Hallo Ricardo,
Just read the above instructions / “terms of exchange”, and I’m sure we’ll have a great stamp swap.
and thanks for positive feedback for the blog
Ok, first arrival (#28) after the break is here… My compliments go to Seth for a “lovely brick” of 800 UK commemoratives. I found lots and lots of new stuff & enhancement to my collection while going this through last night.
I loved the strip of AZ-stamps on top of the cover too. Sadly, all uncanceled and shred to pieces. So much for the “royal” mail
Response will be placed on mail within hours time.
So!…Keijo…better laugh than outrage…the ‘Royal’ mail are a bunch of idiots and irritants than don’t deserve consideration at all!!!…I have plenty of this!!!
Great you found so much new material and sorry to hear about the cover. I have to say it looked very attractive when I put it in the box, but I had my doubts whether they would survive. I’ll have to try sending a large, flat, stiffened envelope next time. I guess that would give them a better chance.
Looking forward to the returns and perhaps the summer arriving at some stage. Nasty wet and cold here these days!!!
Keijo…I know you can edit comments. If you think mine is too offensive for some people, please do…apologies for my rudeness… blame it to my character, cheers!
@Seth… Actually the cover & contents made the trip in good condition, and I was amazed that the mailwoman had managed to place it in our mailbox so nicely. It was just the stamps that had been hammered to “mush”.
I just hope that my response makes a bit better (padded C5-envelope with a half of m/s on top, handcanceled). It’s bit on the thick side too…
Same weather on this side of globe too
@Fred… IMHO there’s nothing offensive in expressions one’s true emotions. We Finns may be somewhat quiet & somewhat polite, but we do value honest & straight opinions.
And two lots (#29-30) from Jänis from todays mail… A gigantic mountain of small definitives (and some commemoratives) around the world. I had so much fun with this
Response cover will be placed on the mail tomorrow morning.
hello friend,
i paid attention to your website for severial times ,and this is the first time to ask for exchange,do you have Chinese stamps to exchange?
i want to ask about stamps exchanging with you – if i understand right step no. 4 i think there somthing not fair in it if i send you 100 stamps and you don’t want 20 of them you will send me back 80 stamps of yours and the 20 you don’t want. now what happend if i don’t want some of your stamps?
@Haose… This exchange is “worldwide” stamps only, and as the rules of exchange state “Please – no wishes for specific country, topic etc”.
What you get depends fully on what I grab from my duplicates boxes (below pic is few years old, but it’s still valid as I’ve got plenty of loose offpaper stamps):
@Moshe… I agree that it may sound unfair, but that’s how this exchange goes. I get way too many exchange requests / sendings so that I could start filling out specific wishes to make sure that everyone gets “all new & useful” stamps. So far (after hundreds of exchanges) most people seem quite happy with the practice.
Even on worst case scenario You’ll get a bunch of stamps you already have + a nice cover franked with recent commemorative stamps from Finland. You can always try to exchange them with other collectors. That’s what this exchange is all about – getting rid of mixed worldwide duplicates in fun & easy way. No catalog value staring, no wishlists, just stamps in good condition.
A gigantic pile of exchange covers (and stamps) in the morning mail. Fortunately I’m having a long weekend, so these were sorted this quickly
Steven (#31) – you were right. Those Libyan stamps were worth every bit of the wait. I never realized how big the Gaddafi & battle stamps were. I guess it goes with size of ego
Romeo (#32) – a superb cover (with Titanic sheet+stamps)
John C (#33) – my Ireland collection got a whole lot better. Woo-hoo!
Anthony (#34) & Jeannette (#35) – Good stuff as usual
Responses to all will be placed on mail in hours time. However, I fear they will not go outside Finland before the may day celebrations are over.
Hello. Are you interested in romanian stamps?
Keijo,
Glad to hear some of my stamps were useful to your collection.
I must start gathering more for the future to send.
Keijo:
I just shipped a collection of miscellaneous foreign to you today.
Hope you can use some of them. Graham
@Iulian… Oh yes
Right now my Romanian collection is about 2,000 stamps – which means I still missing 4,500
@John – Hope you’ll like what I put in for You.
@Graham – looking forward to receiving the batch.
Keijo,
I just received my stamps today and my first Aland stamp. Another place in the world ticked off the list.
Hi! Thanks for the lovely stamps again, good usual stuff. Will send out another letter mail!
Take care! ^_^
Excellent website and great blogs Keijo. Package of used stamps on the way to you for your perusal / exchange. Lots of Bermuda.
All the best.
Dave
@John Collins… Excellent
@Romeo…
@Dave J… Thanks. Lots of Bermuda sounds very nice
And a superb lot (#36) from Canada to kick of this new week. My compliments to Wayne
Response will be mailed within few hours time. Hope you like the stamps on top of the cover too (unfortunately the “funny Finn” smiler stamp is unsoakable, but it looks so great…)
A bunch of exchange covers in todays mail. My compliments to Maulik (#37), Romano (#38), Graham (#39) and Iulian (#40). Useful items from all
Responses will be placed on mail later today.
Additional special thanks to Steven (for you know what)
I’ll be going to work related trip for couple of days, so next update for the exchange list will be sometime during the weekend.
Hello my name is William i an 25 and from NY usa. I have just recently started getting back into stamp collectiing, and I am intetested in stamps from all over europe mostly. I can exchange us postage or other foreign postage as well.
@William… Please take few moments to familiarize yourself with the rules of my exchange, and I’m sure we can do some stamp swapping
I seen i need to send a paper to you first, ik i dont havexa pc right now but i will hand write it tonight, is it ok to send american postage or would you rather have a mixture of everything? Also i can not seem to find the rules they will not load if you could email me the rules?
@William…
A handwritten note / infosheet is fine too. Quite a many people do so and it’s no problem as long as clean handwriting is being used.
Re, rules of exchange – here’s a direct link to Slideshare presentation that sums up the essentials.
As for what to send… I’d say that mixtures of everything will usually yild the best exchange ratio, but I have nothing against single country lots neither.
Would you like mint us postage? I have tons of that from 1960 to present?
@William – like said on the exchange rules I’m interest in used stamps only.
@keijo darn i allready sent out the stamps, there are 60 mint us stamps headed your way, i didnt read this till now i just got to work and dropped the letter off at the post office, you will like how i sent it though there will be postmarked stamps on the envelope
Keijo,
Just a quick apology from me for the lack of interesting stamps on the envelope cover that’s coming through with my exchange lot. Unfortunately, my little rural country post office didn’t have anything apart from a range of UK Definitives. So, I got them to put a range of them on
.
Will do better next time I promise!!
Cheers
Dave
@William… Darn really
Well, such is life. The mint stuff will be heading back your way “as is”…
@Dave J… Nothing new under the sun. Just few days back I went to my local post office (outlet) to buy some new stamps. All I got was just one tiny sheet of commemoratives, everything else they had was definitives
You can keep them or trade them away its not a big deal for me
Also are we alowed to exchange with other useres on this list?
@William… Please tell me You have read the rules of exchange? The more You ask/act, the more I get the feeling You have not spent the required few minutes to read the rules… The rules exist for very good reasons, and they explains precisely how this exchange of mine goes (includig the fact that all exchanges are duals).
Right inunderstand that but you can keep them as it was my mistake on sending you mint stamps, i will try to get a used package out to you soon, it will save on the postage, and i dont mind i have hundreeds of the mont stamps i sent you, so its not a big loss.
Ive got so much mint postage from us its coming out of my ears haha
Keijo, today I posted a bunch of stamps. I hope my letter can find you in good health, and you´ll be able to find usefull itens for your collection.
Regards
Rafael
Hello Keijo,
I have a lot of CTO’s and would like to exchange them with you for ‘real’ used stamps. Is it still a 1 to 1 exchange, a cto for a used stamp? I do not collect CTO’s but have accummulated a couple of hundred. Best wishes, Allan.
@Allan…
It’s always 1:1 of the same kind. So a CTO-used stamp gets You another CTO-used stamp.
Ok, I’m back home from the work trip. Just one exchange sending, #41 had landed my mailbox. My compliments to Lambros – a very nice selection of Greece
Response cover will be mailed on monday morning.
@Steven (of Alabama)… My humblest thanks are in order once again. Thanks.
@Jänis… I managed to get the item we’ve been talking about. I’ll put it with your next shipment
Hi Keijo,
sorry but I have not explained myself very well. I would like to exchange my cto’s for ordinary used postage stamps which are not cto’s. Do you do that sort of exchange perhaps?
@Allan… Like stated on exchange rules, a CTO-used stamp will get You another CTO-used stamp. No exceptions.
Today’s mail brough exchange lot #42 -my compliments to Dave J. to Lincolnshire…. Lots of nice Bermuda (as promised). And the cover was very nice with various “security slot” Machin stamps – as uncanny as it is all but one will add to my collection of Machins
Response will be mailed in about hours time.