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Mint and Used Circuits

Thanks for your interest in circuits. APNSS has supported circuits in the past, but frankly we found them to be too successful. After all the work of putting them together, the first circuit recipient generally purchased the entire circuit book. While this should probably be considered a "good problem to have," it was not fulfilling the goal of circuits (to share lower-priced material with a wide audience).

Instead, we offer these alternatives:

• Put together an auction lot for our frequent auctions, appearing in Plate Numbers
• Place a "wanted to buy" classified ad in Plate Numbers
• Place a "for sale" classified ad in Plate Numbers
• Trade or sell your material directly with other APNSS members

For those who are interested, here is a description of how circuits worked, when we offered them in the past:

APNSS supports circuits of plate numbers singles and related material. All APNSS members are invited to participate, as buyers, sellers or both. Here are some sample circuit topics:

• Mint plate number singles
• Used plate number singles
• Mint ZIP singles
• Mint Copyright singles
• Mint marginal markings
• Used marginal markings
• Plate number singles and other marginal markings on covers

Email the Circuit Director

• to add your name to a circuit
• to request materials for preparing a circuit
• for information on ordering an APNSS buyer's mark stamp

Buying and Selling with the APNSS Circuits

Stamps and Covers on Approval

Circuits  provides an excellent vehicle for members wanting to dispose of unwanted or duplicate material, and offers a leisurely at-home perusal of these items for members in search of new material for their collections.

 What is a "circuit"?

APNSS sales books containing stamps or covers from a specific category (mint PNS, used PNS, zip singles, etc.) are distributed to prospective buyers in "circuits" grouped by zip code number.

 Buying

 How do I begin?

• Simply email the Circuit Director and you will be placed on the next circuit

• Based on your delivery ZIP code, you will be assigned to a circuit list for each category you select.

• You will receive an acknowledgment that lists the circuits to which you have been assigned.

• We ask that you purchase a rubber stamp containing your initials and APS number or APNSS number to mark the spaces in the sales book where you have removed a stamp or cover for purchase. Currently, the APNSS is working with a rubber stamp maker to get APNSS buyer’s marks available. Unfortunately at this time the work is still on-going and rubber stamps are not available. Notification will appear on the APNSS News web page, and these procedures will be revised, as soon as they are available.

• Approvals will arrive several times a year, as circuits are provided and available from those who wish to sell, and depending on the popularity of the categories you have chosen.

 How does it work?

• A Circuit is sent to the first person on the circuit list. That person purchases any desired items, marks the resulting vacant spaces with his/her personal stamp, and then forwards the books and paperwork to the next member on the circuit within seven (7) days.
• Each circuit must be forwarded via first class, priority mail, or parcel post, and signature confirmation to require a signature upon delivery. Sales books valued at more than $50.00 should also be insured.
• Payment for items selected should be sent directly to the seller as indicated on the circuit page.
• Each member on the circuit list, in turn, follows this procedure. The last member on the list returns the circuit to the Circuit Director with unsold items.
• When a circuit returns to Circuit Director, the first person on the list drops to last place, and all other members advance a position on the mailing list for the next set of books to be sent out. This ensures that everyone on the circuit list eventually will be the first person to receive a new set of sales books.
• Detailed instructions, rules, and other information are printed in each sales book.

 Selling

 How do I begin?

·         Sales books are easy to make by cutting several standard 8-1/2 by 11 inch manila stock pages in half. This makes a sales book that easily fits into a regular 6 x 9 inch mailing envelope.

·         A cover can be made from light cardboard trimmed to the same size. The cover should identify the type of material inside, your APNSS number, name and mailing address for payments, catalog and date used (2017 Hebert's, 2016 Durland, 2019 Scott, etc.), and total catalog value for the circuit book.

·         For now, items larger than those dimensions cannot be accepted. We will consider expanding circuits to larger items if there is a demand and supply. Please consider consigning covers or other large items to the APNSS auction.

I've made the books — now what?

·         Seller mounts, describes, and prices items within each sales book, and sends the completed book(s) to the Circuit Director via insured or registered mail, depending on the value of the package. 

·         Circuit Director checks each item for pricing, clarity of description, and general shape. Since the Circuit Director cannot provide expertizing services, if this is needed please contact the APNSS President or APS expertizing service.

·         For the protection of sellers, the contents of each book are scanned when received and an acknowledgment of receipt is sent.

 FAQ

Q: I think one of the stamps in my retired sales book has been substituted or damaged on a circuit. What recourse do I have?

A: Please contact the Circuit Director immediately and a comparison to the scanned page can be made. Follow up actions including notifying the APNSS Executive Committee will immediately be taken.

Q: Which catalogue should I use to price my stamps?

A: You may use any generally recognized catalogue, as long as it is identified on the front cover of the sales book. For example, annual Scott catalogs, 2008 or 2005 Durland, and 2007 or 2005 Hebert’s Catalogs are all recognized sources of pricing.

Q: What percentage of catalogue value should I charge for my stamps?

A: Net pricing should be based on the condition and demand for the stamp. We suggest pricing at 10–20 percent below retail prices. Retail value is not always the same as catalogue value.

Q: Can I participate in circuits if I live at two different addresses during the year?

A: Certainly.  Just let the Circuit Director know when you will be at each address.  If you're a circuit buyer, we can keep the forwarding sequence updated within each circuit.  If you're a seller, buyers know where to send their checks.

Comments? Suggestions? New plate number to report? Email the Webmaster: .

This page last updated February 1, 2019.

Opinions expressed by authors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the APNSS, its officers or members.